Madhubala and Dilip Kumar ~ A Love That Has Endured Forever
Madhubala and Dilip Kumar ~ A Love that has endured forever
The beautiful madhubala was a honey -bella of the screen and also in her daily life. It is said that she used to like wearing simple makeup or even just lipstick when leaving the house. She was fond of gold jewllery and liked simple sarie. Her love for Dilip Kumar, whom she called by his name Yusuf , was a love like sunlight that sparkled. It was magical for madhubala. Madhubala was the woman who loved Dilip Kumar the most. Her love for Dilip Kumar was deep, more profound and enduring. In an interview, during the time she was resting in the 1960s, she was asked about what love and romance means to her. Her words describe love as something deeper than romantic relationships between poeple. She says love is as deep as the ocean . It is as expansive as an ocean. So deep and more important than we know and are able to describe easily in words.
There have been various misconceptions written about madhubala and her love for Dilip Kumar and also about his love for her. It was not just a media relationship, the media did not serve to exaggerate the relationship . Instead the love was deep and timeless.
She was engaged to Dilip. They indeed looked truley beautiful together. He would come to madhubala's family home and he was very respectful towards her family .
He would take madhubala for a walk, or a drive. They would sit and talk in the house room.
She met him on the sets of tarana. Madhubala had a love for Urdu poetry and Dilip Kumar had this same love. The poetic Urdu was a way they exchanged letters of love. On the set of Tarana (1951) madhubala first sent a love letter with a rose to Kumars dressing room. It was a letter asking him to accept it, and asking if he loved her.
She would have many conversations to close confidants about these secret feelings. Mentioning the name "Yusuf, Yusuf, " with such happiness . Those who knew her mention how she was so very in love that she would light up and dazzle wheb she talked of him. She would blush and "squeal" when his name was mentioned and beam when his presence was near.
Dlip Kumar loved her with the same potency. He would meet her well away from the public eye. they would meet at freinds houses often.
Contrary to popular and widely believed opinion, Madhubala's father was a loving good man. He was a father and because his daughter was in the industry he therefore wished to keep her safe. She was in a place that can have risks and dangers to those who are not streetwise and or those who are completely alone. Therefore her father was her support. Her sisters have stood up for their father by saying that he was not arrogant, controlling or jealous but instead kind, caring, responsible and anything a normal father would be when sending their daughter into the film industry. He did not try and prevent Madhubala from marrying and he did not try and sabotage her relationship with Yusuf . There is no evidence to support the claims that he was a controlling father and that he was domineering. There is evidence however to suggest and prove that he was loved and that he was caring and allowed for the freedom of his daughters. His daughters have confirmed this with there words and interviews.
These rumors were put around due to the fact that in those days female actresses were often left alone in the film industry. madhubala's father however, was there to support his daughter and make sure she was safe in the industry and this was something rare compared to other actresses's families. So what was actually a normal father's behaviour towards his daughter was branded as domineering and exaggerated by the film industry.
This point will be relevant later on in the article.
Dilip Kumar proposed to Madhubala and the two were engaged. It is said he met her when she was just 17 years old. She was a giggiling and bright girl. In their films one can see the way they got on so well together. They would cry and the scenes would be deeply emotional, and truly ethereal. The dialogues were haunting and they spoke these words through deep emotion. It is clear that they both had the love for the Urdu poetry as was seen from their film Mughle ezarm, which is considered the most epic and grand Indian film ever made.
An account by her sister Madhur Bhushan tells about the time when she came home very excited one day from the shoot of Tarana, because she had faced Dilip Kumar for the first time and could not get over his gaze.
These were the golden years of their their life
She was deeply smitten and blooming with love. She talked wonderfully about his looks and the way he enacted the scene and his skills. He face was radiant and her eyes two lakes of dark twinkling honey. Their natures were so very different. madhubala was magical, sprightly and young hearted, full of love and sparkling. Whilst the man she loved was quiet sober and calm in his demeanour. He was eleven years older than her. The rose she sent him, he then wore it in his coat pocket.
The same longing, the sensuality- the same deep happiness and sadness. The sparkling smiles , were only visible when she co starred together with Dilip Kumar. Her love was like the ocean for this man.
During the Naur daur court case he openly stated "I will love Madhubala until her death!" and during the Mughle Ezarm release of the colour version he stood on the stage and said "Long live Salem, Long Live Anarkali!" In a voice that resounded large and strong- filled with life. He loved her forever and never forgot his sweet and beautiful madhubala - his Anarkali.
"Those who love die alone silently"
Madhubala was torn between her illness and the feud the situation of the Naya Daur case. There would be phone calls between her and Kumar where she would cry and he would not give in. She had been told she was dying and she kept this hidden and the man she loved gave a proposition "marry me and leave your father!". Dilip Kumar took B.R chopra's side and gave evidence in the Naya Daur court case. This meant that Madhubala's father demanded and wished an apology from Kumar. This was the man who was going to be his future son in law. How could his future son in law talk against his daughter in court and not apologise ? This was the reason why he demanded an apology from Kumar. One could say that the passionate and handsome Kumar was indeed determined in his word and judgment. He did not apologise. Instead he asked Madhubala to leave with him and forget her father. Poor Madhubala was stuck between her illness and the political circumstances around them both. His refusal to apologise and harmonise with her father only caused her to be angry with Dilip Kumar. They would be silent with each other on set even depsite how much she loved him and he her. However, she loved him and the knowledge that she was dying caused her great emotional turmoil. Dilip Kumar loved her with all his heart and stated openly so in court. He was a fine and good man. He stuck to his principles and to apologise was not in his nature. The reasons why he spoke against Madhubala and her father in court can only be known by him and Madhubala. However it is fair to say that the pressure and the heat of the situation caused a lot of the tension for both of them. Almost like the young lovers were involuntarily being pushed and pulled around by external stress and the terrible fated circumstances. Her illness was the main factor for both of their pain and deeper sadness which caused hoplesness and anger for Kumar. He married on the rebound and so did she and yet they were the same Saleem and Anarkali who were tragically torn apart by her death .
Madhubala's sister spoke : Aapa (Madhubala) was saddened by the disrespect shown to Abba (her father) in court. She urged Dilip saab to apologise in private. Just say, I'm sorry'. Without you apologising I'll not get married to you. Let him give my hand in yours happily' is all she asked for, But Dilip saab said, I will never ask for forgiveness. She loved him and he loved her too. They were made for each other. But ego came in between them, . "Then on Aapa fell very ill."
Madhubala 's sister speaks about how Madhubala loved and remained devoted to Dilip Kumar in her heart until her death she says "Apa never played the songs of Mughal-E-Azam as they made her emotional. Though they were estranged, she could never forget Dilip saab."
"She’d spend her time reading Urdu poetry. She loved the shairi of Mirza Ghalib and Daagh Dehlvi. Her favourite song was Rulake gaya sapna mera (Jewel Thief), which summed her life."
Once when she was hospitalised in Breach Candy, Apa sent for Dilip saab. He did come. ‘Tum acchi ho jaaogi Madhu. Tum kyon depressed ho? Hum wapas karenge kaam,’ he said. She asked him, ‘Tum mujhe yaad karte ho ya nahin?’ He replied, ‘Agar yaad nahin karta toh kaise aata tumhare bulane par.’ He sat for an hour.
He said to her "You'll be fine, Madhu. Why are you depressed? We'll get back to work."
She asked him "you miss me or not?' He replied "If I had not remembered you, how would I have come when you called me?"
Mughal E Azarm
Golden memories snd wondeful treasures
It is said that Dilip Kumar refused to refer Anarkali "a lowly courtesan " as he insisted that he was too princely to do so.
The prince and princess ~ Saleem and Anarkali created the greatest Indian film ever made. Both of them shone with their love and despite the tragedy of their cirmamstance neither one forgot.
The beautiful song which madhubala sang to Dilip Kumar titled Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya is the song of their love in the face of the world. A love that has since been misconstrued, misinterpreted and rumoured. Dilip Kumar and Madhubala were torn apart by her death and the cruelty of fate which came all at once. Both married on the rebound becuase this . She ultimately grew weaker because of this separation. But he loved her always. He always remembered his Madhu.
They made beautiful memories working together on the golden Mughle E Azarm set. they talked and created magical art together and hung out with one another in private. Each scene was the deepest dreams of their love- reminiscent of the times they would spend in heaven. Dilip Kumar was and stood kingly. He was handsome and fiery - he was the grand Saleem. These things are fact. Madhubala's love was as tangible and intangible as the ocean. She was the Anarkali- sentenced to death but kept alive by Saleem many decades later. It was his speech during the release of the colour version of the film in 2004 where he spoke for both of them and their eternal memory.
Dilip Kumar lived with Madhubala's love is his heart all his life after she passed. He lived in quietness. He would often go into the mountains or travel for a long time. Her love .. Her heart surrounded him even after her death.
The autobiography written about him was not actually his own becuase he did not write it. It was complied and written by a family freind of Saira Banu who has stated in her own words how he never talked about his private life. The words Udaya Tara Nayar and Saira Banu wrote about Madhubala were were not his own. They were words that fabricated the Truth - fabricated the reality . Siara Banu's words in the chapter were disgracefully written about Madhubala. There was no "void" that madhubla filled or needed to fill in his life. He just loved her - He loved his Anarkali. They were made for each other. He was shattered to be without her. For the reason to their tragic separation it is Madhubala 's sister who gives the most accurate and truthful information.
Dilip Kumar was too unwell to mediate what was going in the writing of the book and would never have wished for anything cruel to be written about Madhubala . Udaya Tara Nayar wrote abhorrent lies and coldly thought out words about Madhubala that couldn't be further from the truth.
We will started sorting this insult.
Udaya Tara Naya wrote that Dilip Kumar did not see the qualities of a wife and mother in Madhubala . She wrote that
it was unwise to be with someone with different priorities - to be with somone from the same profression. She wrote that it was a relationship on the rebound. This could not be further from the truth in fact the relationship with sira bunu was a rebound relationship formed out of heartbreak becuase his Madhubala was dying. it seems like this chapter was written out of jealousy and deep insecurity towards the love between them both. The author tried to paint Madhubla in such a horrible light giving her no respect.
The book tries to say that Dilip Kumar did not want to work in future projects constantly with Madhubala. It mentions that he wished to "keep personal options separate from professional". This is another piece of false information. The truth is that he wanted to work with her again and promised her that they both would work together after she got better and she looked forward to this. In the past he would insist only to co star with her in certain films. He worked the best with her and she with him. They loved working with each other. It can be agreed that they looked too beautiful when working together.
The books writer Udaya Tara Nayar tries to give other pathetic reasons to explain, undermine and wash away Madhubala and Dilip Kumar's natural and beautiful chemistry which just depicts the jealousy and insecurities of those who wrote the book and were in control of it. Dilip Kumar had nothing to do with the chapter on Madhubala and was too sick to be part of the process.
The book attempts specially to paint Madhubala in a less virtuous role than Siara Banu by going as far as saying Madhubala was encouraged to use physical intimacy to esnare Dilip Kumar. This is absolute garbage and in no way way was Madhubala this type of person. Madhubala was a woman who treated love like it was something deeper than just romance as she remained loyal to him until her death as confirmed by her sister .
Her love for Dilip Kumar was a deepness devoid of manipulation and arrogance. and she carried herself with grace and respect.
During the time of the tragic breakup. Madhubala did not attend the premiere of Mughle E Azarm. This was a heartbreaking time for her as her illness was progressing and she was away from the man she loved in a awful situation. Little did she know that Siara Banu was planning to attend the Mughle E Azarm premier in hopes to meet him . He married her later in a tragic time when his true love was dying ..
Madhubla's sister says : When a few months later, he got married to Sairaji, Aapa cried for days...
..I remember when Bhaijan married Saira Banu, Apa was sad because she loved him. She’d say, ‘Unke naseeb mein woh (Saira Banu) thi, main nahin’. (She was in his destiny and not me) But she’d also say, ‘He’s got married to a very pretty girl. She’s so devoted. I’m very happy for him’. But a vacuum remained in her heart.
Madhubala's diary was buried with her deepest thoughts remained in that diary.
Our Mission
She wa the girl who had loved hiim for nine years. And he came to cheer her up her before she died. They wanted to work together again.
Even when they were not talking to each other they were deeply in love. Most sparkling like magic the prince and princess remained dear freinds.
Madhubala's sister says
At home she’d wear maxis. She loved mogras in her hair. She was fond of gold and kundan jewellery. She was also fond of sher shayri as she knew a bit of Urdu. An English tutor also came home to teach her. She loved eating chaat — ragda pattice, pani puri — and kulfi.
Mushqilein hum par padee itni, ke aasaan ho gayee
Her sister says that during the feather scene even though they did not speak at each other at the time,.They were so very in love that their eyes were showing such love when looking at each other .she looks so much in love with him. They were made for each other.
They even got engaged. Unki apa aayee thi, chunni lekar (his sister had come with a chunni as is the custom).
Madhubala liked shairi of Mirza Ghalib and used to read this while she was alone. Here is an example of some of his poetry:
Dil Hi To Hai Na Sang-o-Khist
Dard Se Bhar Na Aaye Kyon?
Royenge Hum Hazaar Baar
Koi Hamein Sataye Kyon?
It’s only a (my) heart, not a stone or brick,
Why should it not be overcome with pain?
I will cry a thousand times,
Why should one torment(stop) me?
Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869) is widely considered to be one of the best Urdu poets of all time.
Urdu/Hindi shayari (poetry) is notable for its highly romantic images, emotional content, depth of feeling, transcendence, and sheer passion.
She also liked poems from Nawab Mirza Khan (1831–1905) commonly known as Daagh Dehlvi. He was an outstanding Mughal poet famous for his Urdu ghazals and belonged to the Delhi school of Urdu poetry. He wrote poems and ghazals under the takhallus (Urdu word for nom de plume) Daagh Dehlvi
Daagh is an Urdu noun that means grief or taint, while Dehlvi means belonging to or from Delhi.
His ghazals are about love and longing .
Madhubala would listen to this song during the quietness of those lonley last years.
(Rula ke gaya sapna mera)
My dream reduced me to tears
baiti hun kab ho savera
I am sitting and waiting for the morning
Rula ke gaya sapna mera
My dream reduced me to tears
(Wohi hein ghamein dil, wohi hain chanda tare
The saddened heart, the moon and the stars are the same
hai, wohi ham besahare)
ohhh, here I am still helpless
aadhi raat wohi hai, aur har baat wohi hai
again it is the midnight, infact everything is the same as before
phir bhi naa aaya lutera
except that my lover is not here
rula ke gaya sapana mera
My dream reduced me to tears
baiti hun kab ho savera
I am sitting and waiting for the morning
Rula ke gaya sapna mera
My dream reduced me to tears
(kaisi yeh zindgi, ke sanso se ham ube
what kind of life is this that I am tired of breathing
ke dil duba ham dube)
as my heart sinks so
do Iek dukhiya bechari, is jeevan se haarii this poor saddened women is tired of this life as it is
us par yeh gam ka andhera
and over top of that to be overshadowed by dark cloud of sadness
rula ke gaya sapna mera
My dream reduced me to tears
baiti hun kab ho savera
I am sitting and waiting for the morning
Rula ke gaya sapna mera
My dream reduced me to tears
Her sister says that they (the family ) would love and respect Bhaijan and she said he was fine and great human being. She said "Apa and Bhaijan looked made for each other."
From the sparkling bubbly 18 year old girl to the ethereal princess Anarkali- Madhubala loved Dilip Kumar - Her prince saleem until her death and eternally.. Dilip Kumar never forgot his sweet and beautiful Madhubala - his princess.