Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Exploring Madhubala’s relationships, from Dilip Kumar romance, Kishore Kumar marriage, connections to Kamal Amrohi and Premnath amid Sanjay Leela Bhansali biopic buzz | Hindi Movie News

Madhubala remains one of the most iconic actresses in the history of Hindi cinema. Her beauty and performances made her a celebrated star. Her personal life, however, was marked by several relationships and heartbreaks. From her early association with Latif to her marriage to Kishore Kumar, her journey was often discussed alongside her remarkable film career. Meanwhile, a biopic on the legendary actress is reportedly in development. ‘Dhurandhar’ actress Sara Arjun is reportedly set to portray Madhubala. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is expected to produce the project, while Jasmeet K Reen, who directed ‘Darlings’, is reportedly attached as director.Before the legendary director brings Madhubala’s incredible life onscreen, let us deep dive into one of the aspects of her life.Her biography, Madhubala: The Mystery and Mystique of Madhubala, written by author Mohan Deep, explored the actress’ emotional life and relationships. He wrote: “She was a woman possessed. Haunted by her own insecurities until the very end. She loved men. And lost them. Latif, Mohan Sinha, Kamal Amrohi, Premnath, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Dilip Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Bharat Bhushan, Kishore Kumar.”

Madhubala’s childhood connection with Latif

Madhubala was born in Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in films. Before she became a major star, she was reportedly close to a Delhi resident named Latif. According to accounts of their early relationship, Madhubala gave Latif a red rose before leaving Delhi. The flower reportedly remained a symbol of their association.Latif was also said to have placed a red rose on Madhubala’s grave after her death. Reports have claimed that he continued visiting her grave on February 23 every year, which was the date of her demise.

Dilip Kumar and Madhubala’s much-discussed romance

Madhubala’s relationship with Dilip Kumar remains one of the most remembered romances of classic Hindi cinema. The two met while working on ‘Tarana’ and were reportedly together for several years. The couple eventually exchanged rings. Their relationship later ended amid differences involving Madhubala’s father, Ataullah Khan.Madhur Brij Bhushan recalled the conversations between Madhubala and Dilip Kumar: “Leave your father and I’ll marry you’. She’d say, ‘I’ll marry you but just come home, say sorry and hug him’. It was zid (ego) which destroyed their love. But my father never asked her to break the engagement or ever demanded an apology from him.”

Madhubala and Kamal Amrohi

Madhubala’s association with filmmaker Kamal Amrohi reportedly developed while they worked on the 1949 movie ‘Mahal’. The horror drama became a major success and remains an important film in Madhubala’s career. Reports about their relationship suggested that the two spent considerable time together. Madhubala’s father, Ataullah Khan, was reportedly open to the possibility of their marriage. As quoted by Bollywood Shaadis, he had said, “Aage chalke ein donho ki shaadi ho jaaye to mujhe koyi aitraaz nahin hai” (“If they get married in the future, I have no objection.”)However, Kamal Amrohi was already married to Meena Kumari. Madhubala reportedly did not want to become his second wife. Madhur Brij Bhushan later dismissed claims that Madhubala had offered Kamal Amrohi Rs 9 lakh to marry her.She said: “Kamal Amrohi was a married man and given our economic conditions how could she, the sole earning member of our family, offer him Rs 9 lakh?”

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Kishore Kumar

Madhubala was reportedly linked to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during the later years of her career. He was a barrister at the Bombay High Court and was said to have frequently visited the sets of ‘Mughal-e-Azam’. The reported relationship did not lead to marriage. Madhubala later married Kishore Kumar in 1960 after working with him in ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’ and ‘Half Ticket’. Following their wedding, the couple travelled to London. Doctors reportedly discovered that Madhubala had a hole in her heart and told her that she had only a limited time to live.

Madhur Brij Bhushan later recalled Kishore Kumar’s reaction to the diagnosis: “After marriage they flew to London where the doctor told her she had only two years to live. After that Kishore left her at our house saying, ‘I can’t look after her. I’m on outdoors often’. But she wanted to be with him. He’d visit her once in two months though. Maybe he wanted to detach himself from her so that the final separation wouldn’t hurt. But he never abused her as was reported. He bore her medical expenses. They remained married for nine years.” Madhubala died on February 23, 1969, at the age of 36. Her life and career continue to attract interest decades after her death.