By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
तुम्हारी कसम तुम बहुत याद आये
न पूछो ये दिन हमने कैसे बिताए
तुम्हारी कसम तुम बहुत याद आये.
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 luxury ,more especially 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. I rate her ‘mujra’ in ‘Gaban’ (1966) as the ever best picturized on the silver screen. 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” ( CID-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. In fact she was a role model for many young & aspiring actresses.
People often referred to her as the younger sister of comedian Mahmood but in fact she was a wonderfully accomplished actress herself.
