Mumtaz Stands Firm on Sanjeev Kumar Remarks, Defines True Stardom in Bollywood
Veteran actress Mumtaz has once again addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding her comments about the late actor Sanjeev Kumar, maintaining her position that while he was a brilliant performer, she would not classify him as a "big star." In a recent conversation, the actress elaborated on the distinction she sees between being a skilled actor and achieving true stardom in the film industry.
Clarifying the Controversy: Actor vs. Star
Mumtaz revisited her earlier statements during a chat with journalist Vickey Lalwani, standing firm on her viewpoint. "What did I say wrong? I’m not denying he was an excellent actor," she asserted. "There’s a world of difference between being a star and being an actor. Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor—these were all stars. Sanjeev Kumar did character roles and even supporting roles. He was a very good human being, very well-mannered, but there is a difference between a star and an actor."
She emphasized that her words were taken out of context, explaining, "You said he was a very big star, and I responded that he was not a very big star. He was a good actor, but I consider people like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and the top heroes as big stars."
Reflections on Stardom and Industry Labels
The discussion broadened as Mumtaz reflected on how the label of 'star' is often overused in Bollywood. When the topic shifted to actress Zeenat Aman, she remarked, "Zeenat Aman, okay. Zeenat Aman was not a very good actress, sorry to say—I would say sorry to her as well. How many awards did she get? If you call everyone a star, how will that work? Not everyone is a star."
Emphasizing the rarity of true stardom, she added, "Not everyone can be a star; not everyone can be Dilip Kumar. It takes years to become a star, you lose your hair by the time you get there."
Naming the Real Stars of Indian Cinema
To illustrate her point, Mumtaz concluded by naming the actresses she believes truly embodied stardom, saying, "Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nargis, Rekha, these were the real stars among heroines." Her comments highlight a nuanced perspective on celebrity culture, where she values both acting talent and the iconic status that defines a star.
This ongoing dialogue sheds light on the evolving definitions of success and fame in the entertainment world, as veteran figures like Mumtaz offer insights from decades of experience in the industry.
