Indian movie actress Mumtaz gifted the Bollywood industry with some of her magnificent performances. She was originally of Indo-Iranian descent. The actress was born in Bombay to Abdul Sameed Askari and Sardar Begum Habib Agha in 1947. She entered Bollywood at a very early age of twelve or fourteen. She was too young to even cast as leading lady; she started as side actress and very soon graduated to lead roles in low budget movies. This extremely versatile, beautiful and charming actress stole everybody`s heart by her captivating looks and inspiring performances in each of her films while becoming one of Bollywood`s popular heroines.

Mumtaz was susceptible and easy to portray onto the screen through any kind of character. Even in her brief roles against established actresses, Mumtaz was the one who was noticed more and lingered in viewer`s memories for eternity. She acted in more than 100 films during a short career span of 14 years. All of her performances were regarded as outstanding by the film viewers as well as by critics.

In her very first film with noteworthy banner and role, Khilona (1970), she won the most popular Filmfare award in 1970. Mumtaz proved herself in every aspect of acting whatever the role is; and proved her worth. The role could be of an urbanite, rustic, regal, or pauper, innocent or contemptible, gentle or venomous, coy or pompous, Mumtaz just fitted in all the roles. Even after more than two decades of her self-retirement, her tremendous popularity proves her unparalleled charisma.

This Indian movie actress Mumtaz first earned attention in a supporting role as a vamp in the film `Mere Sanam` in the year 1965. The success of the film led to another big-budget film `Patthar Ke Sanam`. Finally, she gained chief attention when she played one of Dilip Kumar`s leading ladies in `Ram Aur Shyam` in 1967. The film became one of the top hits of the year, and she received her first Filmfare nomination as Best Supporting Actress. Suddenly, Mumtaz was flooded with offers, but still not for major leading lady roles. She supported Sharmila Tagore in several films in the late 1960`s, such as for `Saawan Ki Ghata`, `Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi`, and `Mere Humdum Mere Dost`. She had an unforgettable song and dance number `Aaj kal tere mere` with Shammi Kapoor in the hit film `Bramachari`.

The career goes upward and she signed Raj Khosla`s blockbuster `Do Raaste` in the year 1969. The film was also starring Rajesh Khanna and finally Mumtaz became a full-fledged star. In this film though her role was not so much, the director picturised some unforgettable songs on Mumtaz. The film made her immensely popular, and she accredited that even though she had a small role, it was still one of her favorite films. She acted `Chor Machaye Shor` with Shashi Kapoor who first refused to work with her because of her junior status in the industry. Mumtaz also starred in many movies with Feroz Khan and other popular actors like Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna.

Mumtaz has also acted with Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and other famous actors of her era. Mumtaz is remembered for the films like `Tere Mere Sapne`, by director Vijay Anand as well as `Roop Tera Mastana` and `Aap Ki Kasam`. The later film was with Rajesh Khanna where there was a time leap in the film and she acted prudently of the role of 50 years old lady whereas in the same film there was a popular number for even today`s generation `Jay Jay Shiv Shankar`.

Mumtaz quit acting after her appearance in `Aaina` in the year 1977, which was a flop, even though it had co-starred Rajesh Khanna and was directed by well-known director K. Balachander. After that, she left films for marriage to a millionaire in the year 1974 and only returned for one film appearance 12 years later. The 1989 film `Aandhiyan` was her last film, which flopped and she turned down other film offers. After her marriage she started to live in Britain. There she gave birth to two daughters, Natasha and Tanya.

Indian movie actress Mumtaz was forever successful as an actress as she has won the heart of millions through her performances. She won filmfare best actress award in `Khilona` in the year 1970. In 1996 she was also awarded filmfare lifetime achievement award. Nominated twice in her film career, Mumtaz was nominated for filmfare best supporting actress award in `Ram Aur Shyam` and second time for `Aadmi Aur Insaan` in 1970.