‘If I depend what number of movies I refused and what number of heroines bought awards in these movies…’

IMAGE: Mumtaz. {Photograph}: Variety courtesy Movie Historical past Pics/X

Mumtaz just lately created a stir when she claimed she had gained extra awards than Hema Malini.

Hema Malini and Mumtaz had been rivals within the Seventies.

Hema had the sting as most of Mumtaz’s hits had been attributable to her co-star Rajesh Khanna. Hema, alternatively, was labelled the hero amongst heroines.

Mumtaz clears her stand on this dialog with Subhash Ok Jha, the place she says, “I’ve bought extra awards than all of the heroines of as we speak.”

 

Was it essential to carry up this unsavoury comparability?

You must ask the journalist why he was asking me such questions.

He was evaluating me with Hema and was saying that she bought extra awards (than me).

So I needed to defend myself.

I mentioned I’ve additionally gained many awards.

How can he say that I bought much less and she or he bought extra?

I mentioned, ask everybody and depend my awards.

So what did I say unsuitable?

IMAGE: Hema Malini. {Photograph}: Variety courtesy Movie Historical past Pics/X

However why rake up this provocative problem particularly now when Hemaji is grieving?

What did I say unsuitable?

Did I get much less awards?

I’ve bought extra awards than all of the heroines of as we speak, and also you depend it your self.

I’m not speaking about Meena Kumari or Madhubala.

I’m speaking about our time.

I’ve to defend myself. How can he say with out understanding?

Maybe the journalist needs to be extra delicate in his questioning.

You must inform the journalist to not ask artists these questions.

Do not put them in a spot.

However I informed the reality.

I’ve been working earlier than Hema Malini for a very long time. She bought awards for movies I refused.

I used to be not working with Shammi Kapoorji these days. There are two movies of Shammiji that I refused; they took Hemaji for one among them.

You imply Ramesh Sippy’s Andaz?

I’m not going into that.

It isn’t good to speak about movies I’ve refused.

But when I depend what number of movies I refused and what number of heroines bought awards in these movies…

I do not remorse it.

What I imply is that if you make me look small, I cannot tolerate it.

Journalists shouldn’t ask provocative questions.

If you will evaluate me with one other artiste, I can not sit like a mute parrot. I’ve to defend myself.

However this makes you appear useless.

You may ask anybody within the trade how down-to-earth I’m.

I bow right down to the sunshine boys.

You may ask my employees how type I’m with them.

I’m not boastful in any respect.

I’m born a Leo. If somebody insults me, I give it again. That is my nature.

I do not need folks to speak with out understanding something and blaming me.

Please do not misunderstand me.

I’m saddened by the truth that you assume I’m at fault. It is not my fault in any respect.

You stop motion pictures at your peak in 1974.

I’ve been working since I used to be seven, and was beloved by the entire trade.

Even as we speak, everybody, from Shah Rukh Khan, loves me.

Pictures curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff