Mumtaz Shanti

Mumtaz Shanti was a famous movie star of the Bollywood yesteryears, she was very popular in the 40's and early 50's with hit movies like Basant (1942), Kismet (1943), Ghar Ki Izzat (1948) with young Dilip Kumar

The Movie Kismet in 1943 was the most significant year of her illustrious career. The film starring Ashok Kumar as the hero, broke all previous box office records and, besides celebrating many jubilees all over India, ran for 3 years in a single theatre in Calcutta — a record that has been broken only by Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay in the seventies and later by Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Almost all the songs: (Dheerey Dheerey Aa Re Baadal / Ashok Kumar and Ameer Bai, Papiha Re / Parul Ghosh, Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se / Amir Bai and Chorus, Ab Tere Siwa Kaun Mera / Ameer Bai, Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali Hai / Ameer Bai) became a rage throughout the country.

Mumtaz Shanti died unknown and unsung in Pakistan in about 1993 / 1994. The woman celebrated for her sensational dancing and considerable acting talent who once guaranteed the success of any movie that she was associated with, died without any notice having been taken of her death by those among whom she lived, in what can only be called dignified poverty.