Madhubala
ActingAbout Madhubala
Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Dehlavi; February 14, 1933 – February 23, 1969) was an Indian film actress who is often regarded as the "Marilyn Monroe of India". The highest-grossing star of the 1950s, she was active between 1942 and 1960. She is also considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses to have worked in the industry and is highly regarded as "The Venus of Indian Cinema" and "The Beauty with Tragedy". Her performance as the alluring court dancer Anarkali in the historical epic Mughal-E-Azam (1960) cemented her status as an iconic and irreplaceable figure in Indian cinema.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Madhubala reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Madhubala's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 4% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Madhubala remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Half Ticket, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Madhubala Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Madhubala's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Madhubala.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | In Search of Guru Dutt | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Jwala | Rajkumari Jwala | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Moodalmanju | Syamala | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | Sharabi | Kamala | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | Half Ticket | Asha/Rajni Devi | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Jhumroo | Anjana | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | Passport | Rita | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | Boy Friend | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1960 | Mughal-e-Azam | Anarkali | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Mehlon Ke Khwaab | Asha | Flop | Similar → |
| 1960 | Jaali Note | Renu | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | Barsaat Ki Raat | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | Kal Hamara Hai | Madhu/ Bela | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | Do Ustad | Madhu Sharma | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | Insaan Jaag Utha | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | Howrah Bridge | Edna | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi | Renu | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Kala Pani | Asha | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | Phagun | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | Rebel Soldier | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | Gateway of India | Anju | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | Ek Saal | Usha Sinha | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | Shirin Farhad | Shirin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | Raj Hath | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | Naqab | Yasmin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1955 | Mr. & Mrs. '55 | Anita Verma | Flop | Similar → |
| 1955 | Naata | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1954 | Amar | Anju Roy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1954 | Bahut Din Hue | Chandrakanta | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | Rail Ka Dibba | Chanda | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Sangdil | Kamla | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Saqi | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Tarana | Tarana | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Saiyan | Saiyan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Badal | Ratna | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Aaram | Leela | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Khazana | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Hanste Ansu | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Nirala | Poonam | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Beqasoor | Usha Devi | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Pardes | Chanda | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | Singaar | Sitara | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | Mahal | Kamini/Asha | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | Dulari | Shobha/Dulari | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | Aparadhi | Sheela Rani | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Amar Prem | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Chittor Vijay | Sobhagya Devi | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Neel Kamal | Ganga | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Dil Ki Rani | Raj Kumari Singh | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Basant | Manju (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Madhubala - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Madhubala?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Madhubala is "Half Ticket" with a rating of 7.3/10.
How many movies has Madhubala acted in?
Madhubala has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Madhubala?
Other notable films include "Mughal-e-Azam", "In Search of Guru Dutt", and "Raj Hath".