By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
होय गोरा रंग चुनरिया काली
मोतियों वाली की दिल मेरा
होय
होय होय की दिल मेरा लूट लिया
Born Malikunnisa to father Mumtaz Ali , Minoo Mumtaz was part of Mahmood Ali film family. She was comedian-producer Mahmood’s younger sister. Minoo featured as a dancer or a singer, more especially as a mujra dancer in some of her earlier films.
Mujra songs, it is worth mentioning, are directly related to the rich & the influentials, more especially the Kings & Nawab who were addicted to pleasure, wine & woman coupled with more luxurious surroundings.
Though the actress made her film debut in “Diwali”(1955) she went on to get adequate recognition & acceptance in later films. She was amazingly coquettish in “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulaam” mujra song singing “Saqiya, Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi Aayegi” to the delight of Sapru & others , too bewitching as Zohrajaan in “Gaban” singing “Main Her Raat Jaagi Ki is Raat Shayad Mohabbat Tumhe is Tarf Kheench Laaye-Tumhari Kaam Tum Bahut Yad Aaye” & “Bedardi Mere Saiyan, Shabanam Hai Kabhi Shole” (Chaudvin Ka Chand) to mention only three.
She played a dancer a singer or in some other role in many films like: ‘Bara-Dari’ -1955, ‘Halaku’- 1956, ‘Naya Daur’ & ‘Dushman’ – 1957 &’ ‘Howrah Bridge’ & ‘Dilli Ka Thug’ (1958), ‘Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan’, ‘Paigham’, ‘Kagaz Ke Phool” (1959) ‘Ghunghat’ (1960), ‘Gharana’,’Chhote Nawab'(1961) & ‘Jahan Ara’ (1964) to mention few.
Though she had made her film debut in “Diwali”(1955) & went on to get adequate recognition & acceptance in later films, nonetheless, she was fed up being typecast doing a dancer or a singer in films. Resultantly, she started seeking lead roles starting with ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’ followed by ‘Black Cat’ opposite Balraj Sahni with a lovely number “Main Tumhi Se Poochti Hoon, Mujhe Tum Se Pyaar Kyoon Hai”, followed by side roles in “Ghar Basa Ke Dekho” & “Faulaad”(1963) as a side heroine.
The sheer popularity & acceptance of the actress can be gauged by the fact that some of the most foot-tapping & scintillating songs were picturized on her like- “Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re” -(C.I.D. 1956) “Reshmi salwar Kurta Zaali Ka” (Naya Daur-1958), “Dil Ki Kahaani Rang Laayi Hai (Chaudhvin Ka Chaand- 1960), “Chaandi Ka Badan Sone Ki Nazar” one of the most popular qawwali song from (Taj Mahal-1963), “Thodi Der Ke Liye mere Ho Jao” (Akeli Mat Jaiyo-1963) & not last but least “Hoy Gora Rang Chunariya Kaali, Motiyo Wali Ki Dil Mera” (Howrah Bridge-1958), a song in typical Punjabi touch under the music score O. P. Nayyar. Interestingly, It was picturized on Minoo Mumtaz & Mahmood.
