Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

Each year, on her death anniversary, admirers across the country revisit the luminous life of Madhubala, the woman who came to symbolize beauty, romance and quiet tragedy in Hindi cinema. More than five decades after her passing, her presence continues to linger in black-and-white frames and collective memory.

Born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi, she began working in films as a child artist before rising to become one of the most adored stars of the 1950s. Her expressive eyes, radiant smile and effortless screen charm earned her the title “Venus of Indian Cinema.” Yet behind the glamour was a private battle with congenital heart disease, a condition she endured even at the height of her fame.

Her most iconic performance came in Mughal-e-Azam, director K. Asif’s magnum opus. As Anarkali, she embodied defiance and vulnerability in equal measure, holding her own opposite Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor. The song Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya remains etched in cinematic history, its imagery and emotion still replayed in tributes today.

Off-screen, her life was equally dramatic. Her much-discussed relationship with Dilip Kumar became one of Bollywood’s most enduring love stories. She later married singer-actor Kishore Kumar, seeking solace as her health gradually declined. In 1969, she passed away at just 36, leaving behind a grieving industry and millions of heartbroken fans.

Even in her brief life, her impact crossed borders. In 1950, an American magazine described her as one of the biggest stars in the world, an extraordinary recognition in an era long before global marketing or social media amplified celebrity.

A look back at some of her most memorable roles:

Anarkali in Mughal-e-Azam
Her portrayal of the ill-fated courtesan remains the gold standard of period drama performances in Indian cinema.

Madhubala as Anarkali in the film Mughal-e-Azam

Renu in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Starring alongside Kishore Kumar and his brothers, she revealed impeccable comic timing in this evergreen romantic comedy.

Madhubala in the film Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi

Anita in Mr. & Mrs. 55
Directed by Guru Dutt, the film showcased her modern, urbane persona in a witty social satire.

Madhubala in the film Mr. and Mrs. 55

Edna in Howrah Bridge
As a nightclub singer in this noir thriller, she exuded glamour, especially in the unforgettable number Aaiye Meherbaan.

Madhubala in the film Howrah Bridge

Shabnam in Barsaat Ki Raat
A romantic musical remembered for its grand qawwali sequences and her emotionally nuanced performance.

Madhubala in the film Barsaat ki Raat

Today, designers still recreate the flowing Anarkali silhouettes she popularised. Photographers draw inspiration from her soft-focus portraits. Filmmakers continue to cite her as an example of understated yet magnetic screen presence.

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Time may move forward, but legends like Madhubala do not fade. They remain luminous, glowing softly through the decades, reminding us why some stars are eternal.