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.
Madhubala Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Madhubala reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Madhubala's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 6% of Madhubala's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Half Ticket, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Madhubala Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Madhubala's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Madhubala has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| 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 | Hit | 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", "Jaali Note", and "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi".