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‘I WILL PUT YOU IN JAIL’: THE TIME LEGENDARY MUMTAZ DEFENDED HER FATHER’S HONOR AGAINST SCANDALOUS JOURNALISM
MUMBAI – Long before the era of social media “call-outs” and instant legal notices, Bollywood’s golden girl Mumtaz proved that she was not just a powerhouse on screen, but a fierce protector of her family’s dignity off it. A forgotten chapter from the veteran actress’s life has resurfaced, detailing the time she took on a prominent journalist who dared to question her father’s identity.
The confrontation, which culminated in a high-stakes defamation battle, saw Mumtaz issue a chilling warning: “I will put you in jail.”
The ‘Parentage’ Scandal
At the height of her stardom in the 1970s, Mumtaz was often the subject of intense tabloid scrutiny. However, one journalist crossed a definitive line by publishing a report that cast doubt on her biological parentage. The report suggested that her father, Abdul Sameed Askari—a man of Iranian origin whom Mumtaz deeply revered—was not her actual father.
For Mumtaz, who had worked her way up from being a “stunt film” heroine to the undisputed queen of the box office, this wasn’t just another rumor; it was a direct assault on her mother’s character and her father’s legacy.
The Fiery Response
Unlike many of her contemporaries who chose to ignore “yellow journalism,” Mumtaz decided to strike back. She immediately initiated legal proceedings for defamation.
Recalling the incident in later years, the actress revealed that she had personally confronted the journalist. When the writer tried to dismiss the report as “industry gossip,” Mumtaz was unrelenting. She famously told him that she didn’t care about her career or her fame at that moment; her only goal was to see him behind bars for the “sin” of insulting her parents.
“I told him, ‘I will spend every penny I have, but I will put you in jail for this,'” Mumtaz recounted.
Victory in the Courtroom
The legal battle didn’t last long. Faced with a determined superstar and a total lack of evidence for the scandalous claims, the journalist and the publication were forced to retreat. Recognizing that Mumtaz would not settle for a quiet payoff, the journalist issued an unconditional apology and a full retraction of the story.
Legal experts of that era noted that Mumtaz’s stand was a turning point for Bollywood celebrities. It signaled to the press that while an actor’s professional life was public property, their family history and parents were “red lines” that could not be crossed without severe consequences.
A Legacy of Strength
The incident remains a testament to Mumtaz’s reputation as a “self-made woman” who never allowed the glitz of Bollywood to soften her resolve. Born into a family of Iranian immigrants, she faced many struggles in her early years, which perhaps contributed to her “no-nonsense” attitude toward those who tried to bully or demean her family.
Today, as Mumtaz enjoys her life away from the cameras, this story serves as a reminder to the new generation of stars: fame is fleeting, but family honor is worth fighting for. In an industry often accused of being “spineless,” Mumtaz remains a rare example of a star who truly meant every word when she said she would put her detractors in their place.
