Mumtaz  On Her Equation With Birthday Girl Hema Malini

During their heydays, Hema Malini and Mumtaz were the closest rivals.They were neck-to-neck in the race  to the  No.1 position, and if Hema became the undisputed No 1  actress  in the  1970s it  was  partly  because Mumtaz quit the film industry  and migrated abroad after marriage.

Now  , looking back at  her  equation with Hema Mumtaz says, “Hemaji and I were  never friends.We were pitted against  one another, so there  was  always  a tension  between us.Many roles that  I couldn’t do, Hemaji did. And  many roles that she couldn’t do, Hemaji did.For example Seeta Aur Geeta was  first offered  to me.”

 However, Mumtaz is quick to add there was  no illwill between  them. “We were  not friends but we were  not enemies either.”

Incidentally, Mumtaz’s cousin  Roopesh Kumar  played a negative  role in Seeta  Aur Geeta

Mumtaz reveals  that she shares a  great rapport with Hema Malini’s soul mate. “Dharamji  and I  are  great friends.He really looks out for me.We meet whenever I am  in Mumbai.My best wishes are with  both  of them always.”