Death Anniversary: The strange story of a sweet girl whose many secrets are still undiscovered! (In memory of Madhubala)

Thank God, the higher-ups, the people in power who decide and define the destinies of even the most extraordinary Indians, sometimes make the right decisions. They take their time in most cases, but what can these poor strongmen do? They are too busy dealing with so many other burning (literally) and petty (most of them) and trivial (that's their main job) issues and problems.

Thank God, the higher-ups, the people in power who decide and define the destinies of even the most extraordinary Indians, sometimes make the right decisions. They take their time in most cases, but what can these poor strongmen do? They are too busy dealing with so many other burning (literally) and petty (most of them) and trivial (that's their main job) issues and problems.

Now take the case of Madhubala who was unanimously accepted as the most beautiful woman to ever light up the film scene in India. He had an illustrious but unfortunately short career, during which he proved that he was made for immortality. Madhubala died in 1969 when she was just thirty-six and almost forty years after her death, the Indian Postal Department decided to issue a postage stamp in her honour. I personally feel that the credit for this 'miracle' to happen goes to the media, especially to the various television channels that telecast some of his best movies, which in most cases end up in boosting their TRPs and getting commercials. There are The money that comes with them. This is especially so when films like Madhubala's 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi', 'Mahal' and the all-time classic 'Mughal-e-Azam' are shown and people of all ages, even today's teenagers, sit on their sofas. Let's stick to it and see. Madhubala charmed him, and entertained him like very few actresses have and could ever do.

Today, more than ever, DVDs of his films are bestsellers in every nook and corner of the country and even in Pakistan and several Gulf countries. There is a huge demand for his photographs which are sold in all the hi-fi shops haunted by the youth. Since the color version of 'Mughal-e-Azam', in which she stood up to the might of actors like Prithviraj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, the sales of DVDs, her photographs and audio cassettes of most of her films have doubled. All his songs especially 'Mahal', 'Howrah Bridge', 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi' and above all 'Mughal-e-Azam' are loved by people of all generations. Madhubala, the actress had that rare power to inspire directors to capture the ethereal beauty at their best, cinematographers with their best, music directors and lyricists to create divine music that lasts till now and forever Will work. She also had the power to give all of her male stars a major complex. There have been many women who have come into films to try and make it like other Madhubalas, but not one of them has even come up to her beautiful eyes. Madhubala was undoubtedly the most beautiful Hindi film heroine and perhaps the most underrated actress with her beauty garnering more attention than her performance. She was brilliant in comedy with her sense of comic timing and she came up with performances of high dramatic caliber in Amar (1954) and the unforgettable "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960).

Born in abject poverty, the 5th of 11 children, Madhubala began life in the film world as Baby Mumtaz, a child artist in films such as Bombay Talkies' "Basant" (1942). It was Kidar Sharma who gave her a break as heroine opposite Raj Kapoor in "Neel Kamal" (1947). However, it was with Bombay Talkies' suspense thriller "Mahal" (1949) that Madhubala became a star. Aayega Aane Wala from the film is still his signature song! Ashok Kumar, Rahman, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand - A flood of films came with Ashok Kumar, Rahman, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, but by the mid-1950s when some of his major films like Mehboob Khan's 'Amar' flopped Madhubala, then, was the most beautiful actress. The country was declared as 'Box Office Poison!' Also, she got involved with Dilip Kumar and it took its toll on her as she could not face her father's opposition and finally after a scandalous court case, she appeared in 'New Daur' (1957) had to be dropped. However he bounced back with a string of hits in the period 1958–60 – "Phagun" (1958), "Howrah Bridge" (1958), "Kala Pani" (1958), "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958) – among all his more memorable films and of course “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960).

Madhubala has never looked more graceful or graceful as the club dancer in "Howrah Bridge" as she sways to the seductive notes of "Aaiye Meherbaan". And he matched Kishore Kumar's crazy antics in "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi". However it was "Mughal-e-Azam" that saw perhaps her greatest performance as Qayamat Wali Anarkali. The film showcased the subtly modulated depth she can bring to her performance if given a chance. It's an excellent performance in an excellent film. Tragically, he was diagnosed with a hole in his heart and his illness debilitating. She also had a loveless marriage with Kishore Kumar and it lasted for nine years till her death in 1969. He had the odd release in this period like 'Passport' (1961), 'Half Ticket' (1962) and 'Sharaabi' (1964), but it was mostly old films that managed to release. In fact, Jwala was released in 1971, almost two years after his death! She attempted a comeback in 1964 with Raj Kapoor, but collapsed on the sets on the very first day of shooting and the film was shelved.

Even today, on hearing Madhubala's name, the image of those dancing eyes, that one sided smile and much more gets added... It is heard that Madhubala's grave was moved from Juhu cemetery before Dilip Kumar could bury her near her. If this is true then man should be ashamed of his humanity.