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13 best Madhubala movies that redefined Indian cinema
Madhubala movies are a parallel world that every cinephile wants to dive into whenever given a chance. Here’s a recommendation list for the same!
Popularly known as the Venus Queen of Bollywood, Madhubala is one of the most iconic and an undisputed talent in the history of Indian cinema. She graced the silver screen for over two decades with her ethereal beauty and incredible acting skills. Here’s a list of some of the best Madhubala movies that deserve a place on your watchlist.
13 best Madhubala movies that are hard to miss and hardest to resist:-
1. Mughal-e-Azam
Cast: Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Durga Khote
Director: K. Asif
IMDB Rating: 8.1
Movie Genre: Historical Drama
Release Year: 1960
Where to Watch: Zee 5
Madhubala's portrayal of Anarkali, a courtesan who falls in love with Prince Salim, is legendary. Her larger-than-life performance made both her character and the movie immortal. No doubt Anarkali is one of the most memorable characters in Indian cinema and is the saturation point of every actress’ dreams.
2. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Cast: Kishore Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, Anoop Kumar
Director: Satyen Bose
IMDB Rating: 7.9
Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Year: 1958
Where to Watch: YouTube
In this delightful comedy, Madhubala plays the role of Renu, a young woman who brings a breath of fresh air into the lives of three brothers. Her charm and comic timing are out of this world - making her the heart of the film. This is also one of the best Madhubala and Kishore Kumar movies of all time.
3. Barsaat Ki Raat
Cast: Bharat Bhushan, Madhubala, Shyama
Director: P.L. Santoshi
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Movie Genre: Musical, Romance
Release Year: 1960
Where to Watch: MX Player
As Shabnam, Madhubala gave a performance that was as delightful as the monsoon itself. Her expressive eyes and heartfelt acting brought the character's romantic dilemmas to life making it one of the best emotionally enriched Madhubala movies to watch.
4. Mr. & Mrs. 55
Cast: Guru Dutt, Madhubala, Lalita Pawar
Director: Guru Dutt
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Year: 1955
Where to Watch: YouTube
Madhubala played the character of Anita in this one who is a spirited and independent woman caught in a marriage of convenience. Her lively and relatable portrayal of Anita's journey from reluctance to genuine affection made this movie one of the classics of her career.
5. Mahal
Cast: Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, M. Kumar
Director: Kamal Amrohi
IMDB Rating: 6.9
Movie Genre: Horror, Mystery
Release Year: 1949
Where to Watch: YouTube
Madhubala in Mahal played the role of Kamini who was a ghostly presence haunting a mansion. This movie is said to be one of those performances of Madhubala which established her as a star in the making in her early years.
6. Howrah Bridge
Cast: Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, K.N. Singh
Director: Shakti Samanta
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Movie Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Release Year: 1958
Where to Watch: YouTube
This was one of those thrillers where Madhubala took the road not often taken by her. She played the character of the mysterious Edna which was an intriguing mix of sultry and seductive traits that largely proved her ability to be a fit in all genres.
7. Kala Pani
Cast: Dev Anand, Madhubala, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant
Director: Raj Khosla
IMDB Rating: 7
Movie Genre: Crime, Thriller
Release Year: 1958
Where to Watch: YouTube
In Kala Pani, Madhubala portrayed the character of a fearless journalist named Asha. The movie revolves around a young man (played by Dev) who takes the help of Asha to free his father from a wrongful implication in a fifteen-year-old murder. Madhubala’s performance in this one acted as a perfect foil to Dev Anand's quest for justice.
8. Phagun
Cast: Bharat Bhushan, Madhubala, Purnima
Director: Bibhuti Mitra
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Movie Genre: Musical, Romance
Release Year: 1958
Where to Watch: YouTube
As the protagonist Bijli, Madhubala in this one showed a sea of emotions changing drastically from extreme sorrow to joy brighter than the sun. Her portrayal of a woman caught in the throes of love and sacrifice was deeply moving and made this movie one of the best Bharat Bhushan and Madhubala movies to watch.
9. Amar
Cast: Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nimmi
Director: Mehboob Khan
IMDB Rating: 6.9
Movie Genre: Romance, Musical
Release Year: 1954
Where to Watch: YouTube
Amar saw Madhubala playing the character of Anju whose innocence and purity were beautifully captured by her never-seen-before performance. Her chemistry with Dilip Kumar largely shined out in this one making it one of the cult classics of all time.
10. Tarana
Cast: Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Jeevan
Director: Ram Daryani
IMDB Rating: 7.5
Movie Genre: Romance, Drama
Release Year: 1951
Where to Watch: YouTube
In this romantic drama, Madhubala plays a village girl named Tarana whose love story with a doctor attempts to break societal norms. Her impressive performance in this one made it one of the best Dilip Kumar and Madhubala romantic movies to watch.
11. Half Ticket
Cast: Kishore Kumar, Madhubala, Pran
Director: Kalidas
IMDB Rating: 7.3
Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Year: 1962
Where to Watch: YouTube
Madhubala's comedic talent shone brightly in this film, where she played the character of a cheerful lady named Asha. Her lively and humorous performance perfectly complemented Kishore Kumar’s giggly antics and made this film an absolutely entertaining and delightful watch.
12. Jhumroo
Cast: Kishore Kumar, Madhubala, Lalita Pawar
Director: Shankar Mukherjee
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Movie Genre: Family, Comedy
Release Year: 1961
Where to Watch: YouTube
Madhubala in this family drama plays the character of Anjana who is a wealthy girl who returns home after completing her education abroad. She lives in the grand mansion at the top of a Himalayan peak that overlooks the humble village where Jhumroo, a local tribal, resides. Anjana’s sophistication contrasts with Jhumroo’s simplicity with their fate bringing them together in an unexpected way.
13. Gateway of India
Cast: Bharat Bhushan, Madhubala, Pradeep Kumar
Director: Om Prakash
IMDB Rating: 7.4
Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release Year: 1957
Where to Watch: YouTube
Madhubala portrays a young woman on the run in this drama, taking on multiple identities such as Padma, Darling, Lajwanti, Chanchal, and Lata throughout the movie. Her performance truly brings her character's struggles to life.
Madhubala's contributions to Indian cinema are immeasurable and her legacy is unparalleled. The veteran actress left the world with these immortal movies to watch and celebrate her service to humanity. Which of these Madhubala movies is your favorite? Tell us @pinkvilla
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