Did you know 17-year-old Mumtaz had rejected Shammi Kapoor’s marriage proposal? | – Times of India

Mumtaz, renowned for her successful collaborations with Rajesh Khanna, recently discussed rumours about her romantic involvement with the late actor and opened up about her decision to turn down Shammi Kapoor‘s proposal despite her feelings for him.
In an interview with Zoom TV, Mumtaz, who co-starred with Shammi in Brahmachari, revealed that she was deeply in love with him but declined his marriage proposal due to her young age and ambitious career aspirations in Bollywood.Their closeness developed during the filming of the song ‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,’ and they were together for a period of two to three years. Despite her deep affection for Shammi, she was hesitant to marry him as he believed that women marrying into the Kapoor family did not pursue careers after marriage. Mumtaz was only 17, and Shammi Kapoor was double her age.

Explaining her decision, Mumtaz, with a determined look, declined Shammi’s proposal because she was passionate about establishing herself in the film industry. She expressed her desire to pursue her dreams and not become a homemaker responsible for caring for his children and managing the household. Mumtaz revealed that her refusal made Shammi angry, who accused her of pretending to love him and prioritizing her career over their relationship. This confrontation left her utterly heartbroken.

For Shammi, the relationship that began with hopes of being together turned into a “nightmare.” In an earlier interview with Lehren Retro, he reflected, “At that time, I was a widower, and Mumtaz happened to be a very pretty young girl, and for a brief period, we both had dreams, and then it turned into a nightmare. I’m content with how things are now.”
Mumtaz ultimately married Ugandan millionaire Mayur Madhwani in 1974 and relocated to London, thus bidding farewell to Bollywood.

Having starred in numerous successful films alongside Rajesh Khanna, it was inevitable for people to speculate about Mumtaz’s relationship with her Do Raaste co-star. However, Mumtaz clarified that despite their on-screen chemistry, they did not have a romantic affair.

Mumtaz elaborated that when two actors collaborate and spend extensive time together on film sets, they naturally become more comfortable and grow closer. She explained that this closeness might give others the impression that they are romantically involved. Mumtaz acknowledged that it’s common for co-stars to develop romantic relationships and even get married. However, she emphasized that she did not have a romantic affair with Rajesh Khanna, clarifying that they were simply close colleagues.
Mumtaz also disclosed that Anju Mahendru, who was in a relationship with Rajesh Khanna, always treated her warmly.