Renowned for portraying the quintessential ‘screen mother’ in Hindi films and TV, Anjana Mumtaz is a celebrated Indian actress known for her versatile acting in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati films. Her most famous films include “Mahua (1970),” which had the famous song “Dono ne kiya tha pyar magar” and Sambandh (1970), which has the famous song “Chal Akela.”
Anjana Mumtaz, born Anjana Manjrekar on January 4, 1941, in Bombay into a Maharashtrian family, with her father, Dinanath Manjrekar, working as a fire brigade official, and her mother, Mangla Manjrekar, being a homemaker. Anjana had a passion for dancing from a young age, which led her mother to hire a private dance teacher, Mangal Master, and later, she learnt Kathak from the renowned dance teacher, Gopi Krishan.
Anjana married Sajid Mumtaz, an Air India official, on April 16, 1978. The couple has a son, Ruslaan Mumtaz, who followed in his mother’s footsteps and became an actor. Anjana’s family has always been supportive of her career, and she often credits them for her success.
Anjana was supposed to make her debut in 1968 with Mitti Ka Dev opposite Sanjeev Kumar, but the film remains unreleased. Anjana’s journey in the film industry began in 1969 with the film “Sambandh,” where she played the lead role. The film also starred Deb Mukherjee and Pradeep Kumar and had famous songs like “Andhere Mein Jo Baithe Hain, Nazar Un Par Bhi Kuchh Dalo,” “Chal Akela Chal Akela Chal Akela,” “Mohe Bikta Sajan Mil Jaye,” etc. The same year, she starred in Bibhuti Mitra’s musical drama “Mahua,” opposite Shiv Kumar. The film’s songs, like “Jab Jab Apana Mel Huwa To,” “Jab Jab Apana Mel Huwa To,” and “Pyar Mera Jo Tune Loota,” are considered classics.
Over the years, she has worked in over a hundred films, showcasing her talent in various genres and languages. Some of her most notable films include “Deedar (1970),” “Ehsan (1970),” “Maa Ka Aanchal (1970),” “Baharo Phool Barsao (1972),” “Do Phool (1972),” “Insaan Aur Insaan (1973),” and “Alingan (1974).”
In 1973 she made her Marathi film debut with Dada Kondke’s Andhala Martoy Dola,” followed by films like Tumcha Aamcha Jamala (1976), Ram Ram Gangaram (1977), and Thorli Jaau (1982). She also acted in Gujarati films like Sonbaini Chundadi (1976) and Kesuda No Rang (1980).”
Anjana’s films as a lead did not get much success, and soon she started doing supporting roles in the films. In this period she acted in films like Bandhe Haath (1973), Salaakhen (1975), Ganga Ki Kasam (1975), Sikka (1976), Chhoti Bahen (1977), Rangaa Aur Raja (1977), Rahu Ketu (1978), Chunaoti (1979), Do Hawaldar (1979), Red Rose (1980), Jail Yatra (1981), Alag Alag (1985), and many more.
In this period she has done many mythological films, which include Sampoorna Sant Darshanam, Veer Bhimsen, Mahabali Hanuman, “Sati Naag Kanya, and Sant Ravidas Ki Amar Kahani, among others.
In the late 80s, she transitioned into mother’s roles and has done around 150 films as a mother. Some of her notable films in this period include Samundar (1986), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Tridev (1989), Bhrashtachar (1989), Vardi (1989), Aag Ka Gola (1990), Saajan (1991), Chamatkar (1991), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Banjaran (1991), Tirangaa (1992), Dil Hi To Hai (1992), Dil Tera Aashiq (1994), Beta Ho To Aisa (1994), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Bhairavi (1996), Dulhe Raja (1998), Dhadkan (2000), Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), and many more.
She also has a successful career on TV and appeared in many iconic serials like Buniyaad (1986), Chattaan (1997), Jaan (1998), Kudrat (2001), Gharana (2001), and Devi (2002).
