Golden Days: When Muntaz said, “To marry Feroz Khan was like jumping into a lake”

Renowned actress Mumtaz, a luminary of the 1960s and 70s Hindi cinema, mesmerized audiences not only with her acting prowess but also with her iconic fashion statements. Amidst her illustrious career, her personal life often made headlines, particularly her bond with actor Feroz Khan.

In an old interview with ETimes, Mumtaz candidly discussed her decision not to marry Feroz Khan, shedding light on their relationship dynamics. Refuting rumors, Mumtaz clarified that Feroz never proposed marriage to her, citing his past involvement with an Anglo-Indian beauty during the 'Main Shaadi Karne Chala' days. Despite their close friendship, Mumtaz believed that tying the knot with Feroz would have led to heartbreak, likening it to "jumping into a lake."


Reflecting on her past heartbreak with Shammi Kapoor, Mumtaz expressed gratitude for maintaining a platonic relationship with Feroz.

“To marry Feroz Khan was like jumping into a lake. It was asking for a heartbreak. I had one with Shammi Kapoor and I didn’t want another. So I kept our relationship as a friendship. If it had gone the other way, it would have broken and even the friendship wouldn’t have remained,” she expressed.

She believed that pursuing a romance with him would have jeopardized their friendship. Remarkably, their children later married each other, preserving their enduring bond even after Feroz's demise.


While Mumtaz found marital bliss with businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974, her journey through love and friendship with Feroz Khan remains a captivating chapter in Bollywood's history.

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