'Waheeda Rehman ji down to earth thi': Mumtaz once said Vyjayanthimala didn't talk to her, spoke about friendship with Anju Mahendru and Poonam Sinha

Veteran actress Mumtaz once looked back on her early years in the film industry and shared how not every senior star was welcoming toward newcomers.

‘Waheeda ji was very down to earth’

In a throwback interview with Dawn News, Mumtaz spoke about her bond with contemporaries and seniors.

She said, "There were a few exceptions like Waheeda ji. She used to be very down to earth.

Vyjayanthimala also belonged to the same era, but she didn’t talk to me."Mumtaz explained that it wasn’t really about hostility — it was just how things worked back then. Senior stars usually kept to themselves, and newcomers had to earn their place. She added, “Some people don’t want to talk to people inferior to them. Some artists don’t even give autographs when they are on the street.”

Mumtaz on her close friends in the industry

As Mumtaz’s talent and charm made her one of Bollywood’s top leading ladies, she built her own circle of trust and friendship. She shared that she formed a close bond with actresses Anju Mahendru and Poonam Sinha — friendships that have stood the test of time. “Gradually, as I made my place in the industry, I also made friends,” she said. “Anju Mahendru and Poonam Sinha are two people I still share a close bond with.”

‘I won’t play an old woman or mother on screen’

Earlier this year, speaking to Instant Bollywood, the veteran actress shared the type of roles she would consider for her comeback.

Mumtaz said, “Main filmon mein buddhi ka role toh karne vaali nahi hoon. Aur jaisi main lagti hun vaisa role offer hua nahi. Jab hoga tab sochungi. I want a role that fits my looks. Mujhe vaise offer nahi aaye jaise mujhe chahiye. Main kisi ki maa ka role karne waali nahi hun. No. (I’m not going to play an old woman in films.

And I haven’t been offered a role that suits how I look. When something does come along, I’ll think about it. I want a role that fits my personality and presence. I haven’t received offers that match what I’m looking for. I’m not going to play someone’s mother).”