Mumtaz Ali

Mumtaz Ali (29 September 1902 – 7 February 1975) was an Indian dancer and character actor in Hindi cinema from the 1940s to 1970s. He was the father of Indian actor Mehmood. He also had his own dance troupe "Mumtaz Ali Nites" which performed all over India. and former publisher of the Bombay Chronicle. B. G. Horniman took him in, invited him to his home and supported him financially. Mumtaz Ali founded at that time a small troupe of street theater, the Mumtaz Ali Theatrical Company, for which he plays almost all roles. In 1933, Horniman recommended Mumtaz Ali to Himanshu Rai who was establishing the Bombay Talkies studio in Malad, the suburbs of Bombay.

Career Mumtaz Ali joined Bombay Talkies from the first movie of the studio. He was a part of the production team of Jawani Ki Hawa which was released in 1935. But he had to wait the next year to appear on the screen on the third film, Achhut Kanya. Among his best work was his song "Mein to Dilli se Dulhan laya re" from the 1942 film Jhula. This song was a must to be played at all marriage functions in those days in Mumbai and India. Mumtaz Ali sided with Devika Rani during the Bombay Talkies split in early 1943. He decided to leave the studio in 1945, when Devika Rani left him.

Later Years and Death He was last seen in the 1974 Hindi movie Kunwara Baap, directed by and starring his son Mehmood in the song "Saj Rahi Gali Meri Maa". He died the next year on 7 February, aged 72.

Grave plaque of Mumtaz Ali showing his birth and death dates.

Personal life Mumtaz Ali married Latifunnisa, in October 1929. They had eight children: Husseini, Mehmood, Khairunnisa, Usman, Malikunnisa ( Minoo Mumtaz ), Zubeida, Shaukat and Anwar. Mehmood made his acting debut in Kismet (1943). Minoo Mumtaz made her stage debut for Mumtaz Ali Nites and became a recognized dancer in Indian cinema in the 1950s.

Filmography Year Film Character/Role 1998 Ghar Bazar

1975 Dayar E Madina

1974 Kunwara Baap

1974 Do Phool

1959 Dil Deke Dekho

1955 Sakhi Hatim

1952 Kafila

1950 Apni Chhaya

1950 Nirala Rani

1950 Sangeeta

1949 Putli

1948 Khidki

1948 Padmini

1948 Shakti

1948 Mulaqat

1947 Shehnai

1943 Hamari Baat

1942 Basant Dilip

1941 Jhoola Postman

1940 Azad

1940 Punar Milan

1939 Navjeevan

1938 Nirmala

1938 Vachan

1937 Jeevan Prabhat Nandlal

1937 Prem Kahani Mr. Sharma

1937 Savitri

1936 Janmabhoomi Madhu