Comparing The Parallels of Madhubala And Marilyn Monroe | Vacuum
By: Vacuum Magazine
Tags: Marilyn Monroe, Bollywood, E Magazine, Madhubala, Hollywood

There’s a line from the Beatles’ song ‘Baby You’re a rich man,’ How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people.

Madhubala died from a hole in her heart that took this beautiful goddess from us at 36. Norma Jean died of a drug overdose at the age of 36, speculated to be a suicide. Popularly known as Marilyn Monroe, she was deemed one of the most beautiful actresses that graced the silver screen. Similarly, Madhu bala was often referred to as ‘Marilyn of the Hindi Film Industry,’ which was an understatement considering her immense popularity and unique personality independent of any other.

She was undoubtedly a great actress blessed with a divine beauty that left the audience stunned and kept their eyes glued for the duration she was on screen. She was a great Indian actress, lauded by fans and wanted by many film producers for her comic timing, natural beauty, and choosing roles that challenged societal norms. At a point, people started calling her action queen Madhubala as she did all kinds of roles in her career.

Marilyn started with modeling and making her way into the movies in Hollywood. She was immediately termed as ‘Blonde Bombshell .’ She was among the highest-paid actresses of Hollywood at the time. Rumors surrounding her death still bring several conspiracies among her fans. Madhubala was among the highest-paid actresses in Indian Cinema and her role as Anarkali, a dancer in Mughal Emperor’s court, is among her best works. Madhubala and Marilyn Monroe share something between them that is beyond their beauty, tragic life, and complicated relationships.

Madhubala’s Beginnings in The Indian Film Industry

As she was called fondly by her friends and colleagues, Madhu was born in 1933 in a Pashtun family. Her father worked in a tobacco factory, and she started developing a keen interest in performing arts, often performing in front of her family. She was gorgeous and soon began making appearances in Indian movies. She landed a role in Basant that was released in 1942. Her name was changed to Madhubala when she graced the screen with Raj Kapoor in Neel Kamal.

She worked alongside big stars of that time, working in comic roles in movies like Mr. And Mrs. 55, where she played Anita, an heiress to her father’s fortune required to marry before she turns 21. Her aunt hires Preetam (Guru Dutt) for a sham marriage. In Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, she played Renu, a dreamy-eyed girl who is charming and wonderful. Her song with Kishore, Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si, is one of the most memorable melodies. She played Kishore Kumar’s love interest in Half Ticket. Later Kishore Kumar and Madhubala eloped and stayed married until her death.

Anarkali And Her Enchanting Charm Graced The Silver Screen And Gave Her The Most Memorable Role to Date

Her most significant role is Anarkali in Mughal-E-Azam, opposite Dilip Kumar and veteran actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

It was when an off-screen romantic relationship developed between Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, which she described as the happiest time of her life.

She was snubbed by awards for her role but remained a memorable presence playing the love interest of Salim.

She was gazed upon wherever she went, flirted playfully, and stayed away from the limelight, rarely giving interviews.

Stressing the importance of happiness, she placed it over being beautiful.

Marilyn Monroe’s Troubled Childhood And Her Way Into Mainstream Success

Marilyn Monroe’s mother was confined to an asylum, and foster families raised her, some of them being terrible aggressors towards the little girl she was. After starting modeling assignments, she was signed by 20th-century fox and started her career in movies, changing her name to Marilyn Monroe.

After making cameos for a few films, she found new fame with All About Eve in 1950, which she followed with Love Nest, Gentlemen prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire(1953), and Show Business (1954).

Later she ventured into doing comedy roles in the movie Bus Stop. She portrayed an ambitious cafe singer Cherie with dreams of Hollywood in her eyes.

The Seven Year Itch featured as a Femme Fatale neighbor to Tom Ewell’s character, bored of his relationship.

The film featured her iconic white gown on a subway vent as the moving train blew her dress away.

This scene has been referenced several times in history, a pop-culture gem, most popularly at Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner where you can see the waitresses in the outfit of stars of golden years.

Billy Wilder’s Some Like it Hot come 1959 is the comedy that gave Monroe recognition as an actress and a memorable performance. The film was a box office hit and considered one of the greatest films of the 20th century.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio

Marilyn had troubled relationships throughout her life, starting with marriage to factory worker James Dougherty when she was just 21. She later married baseball star, Joe DiMaggio. Marilyn had a string of affairs, including director Elia Kazam and Marlon Brando’s tie’s Arthur Miller was the man in line, they married, and he wrote The Misfits for her, her last screen appearance.

In May 1962, she sang ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President,’ in the event of President John F Kennedy’s birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden.

Her mood swings and failed marriages were huge reasons behind the troubled life she led. During the last days of her life, she was a recluse and stayed inside. She checked into a ward and found herself surrounded by lunatics, DiMaggio came and discharged her from the hospital, and their friendship blossomed again. She was found dead in August 1962, the cause of death being a drug overdose.

Madhu Bala’s Love Life And Marriage to Kishore Kumar

Madhubala had her first relationship with actor Premnath, which ended shortly afterward, but they remained lifelong friends. During the shoot of Mughal-E-Azam, she came close to Dilip Kumar, and their relationship started. They were engaged and married soon, but Madhu’s father was against it. He put a condition ahead of Kumar, that if he wants to marry his daughter, he will only work in movies her father produced. Dilip Kumar, a star often called ‘The Tragedy King,’ declined and married Saira Bano.

Kishore Kumar, who had worked earlier with Madhubala, asked for marriage with him which she accepted, she was severely ill during the time, and Kishore was aware of that. She died in 1969 after a long period of illness. Her last film was Jwala with Sunil Dutt, released after her death.

We have also talked about the legendary life of Kishore Kumar here.

The Timeless Charm of Madhubala And Marilyn Monroe Echoes Till Date in Popular Culture

Madhubala has remained a cultural icon and an epitome of natural beauty, referenced countless times in Hindi movies, and actresses like Madhuri Dixit emulate her style. Similarly, Marilyn’s face is etched in people’s memories to date. A film based on her life, My Week With Marilyn, was released in 2011, starring Michelle Williams in the titular role. Nicole Kidman performed her version of Monroe’s ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.

Madhubala and Marilyn Monroe had parallels between them. One is the most famous cultural icon and sex symbol and parodied to date. Another was an actress who made a place in her fans’ hearts through her beauty and charm and is still the most beautiful actress in India or the Hindi film industry.

If someone creates a list of the top 10 Indian actresses or the best actresses ever, we are sure that Madhu and Marilyn will hold the top places.

Her enigmatic personality and playful acting still reside in our hearts and stay fresh in our memory. Both had painful lives despite being loved by everyone around them and in the film industry.

They were timeless, but any comparison between them would be wrong. Madhubala and Marilyn Monroe were unique personas that stand independent of any comparison and remain the biggest artists of their generation.