Kapoor family tradition that ended Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz love story, reveals actress

In a candid interview, veteran actress Mumtaz opens up about why she turned down Shammi Kapoor’s proposal, choosing her career over Kapoor family restrictions

Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz love story: The Kapoor family’s long-standing rule, that daughters-in-law must quit acting after marriage, has often come under scrutiny. Now, veteran actress Mumtaz has revealed how this very tradition ended her relationship with iconic actor Shammi Kapoor.

In a recent interview with Radio Nasha, Mumtaz shared that Shammi Kapoor had once proposed to her, but she turned down the offer because it came with a condition: she would have to give up her acting career.

“Shammi ji had proposed to me, but he told me I couldn’t work after marriage. Papaji (Prithviraj Kapoor) didn’t want daughters-in-law to act in films. But I was very serious about my career and told him clearly that I couldn’t give it up,” said Mumtaz.

Love that couldn’t last

This isn’t the first time Mumtaz has spoken about her close bond with Shammi Kapoor. In earlier interviews as well, she acknowledged that he was very special to her, but their paths diverged due to her commitment to cinema.

Mumtaz also revealed that she was initially considered for the role in Raj Kapoor’s classic Mera Naam Joker, and Raj Kapoor had even clicked her pictures for the project. However, he assumed she might marry Shammi Kapoor and feared the film might remain incomplete, and this misconception led him to cast someone else.

Also read: Why Raj Kapoor’s Dream Project Mera Naam Joker, Which Took 6 Years to Make, Was a Box Office Flop

“I later clarified to Raj ji that there was no such marriage plan, but by then, it was too late. The role had already gone to someone else,” she recalled.

Despite the lost opportunities—both personal and professional—Mumtaz holds no bitterness.

“I don’t blame anyone. I respect everyone,” she said.

Shammi Kapoor, who was married to actress Geeta Bali but lost her to illness in 1965. He later married Neila Devi in 1969. Mumtaz, on the other hand, married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974. Shammi Kapoor passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.