Marilyn Monroe and Madhubala - these two names were a testament to beauty and talent. Unfortunately, both of these luminous stars had tragically short lives. They are more often than not compared to be two sides of the same coin but were they really similar?
Let's start with their endings - both passed away at a young age of 36. Marilyn’s death was a topic of mystery and controversy; some say she was killed while some say she died by suicide. On the other hand, Madhubala’s life ended because of a heart condition. She didn’t choose this. Unfortunately, she was abandoned by her then husband Kishore Kumar in the last few days.
Both of these luminous women were unsuccessful in love. Monroe married thrice and had multiple affairs which often became tabloid fodder in America. Madhubala lived in a more conservative society. She fell in love with actor Dilip Kumar but their love story was one of Bollywood’s most tragic tales. She met him when she was 11-years-old while he was 33 on the set of “Jwar Bhata” in 1944. Her father was against their relationship which followed numerous law-suits. Madhubala hastily married Kishore Kumar out of sadness and frustration.
Now, let’s dive into how they were perceived in their respective careers: Monroe embraced her bombshell image, using it to challenge societal norms. She wore body-hugging clothes that capitalised on the conventions around sex which were changing in America. Remember her subway grate scene? Her skirt flowing and captivating men and women. Pure Monroe magic. Madhubala, on the other hand, lived in a society that looked down upon women for wearing revealing clothes. She stuck to her acting skills, infectious smile that helped her express herself sexually. Her photoshoot with LIFE Magazine in 1951 became popular world-wide which showcased her tan complexion, lean figure, diva-like attitude, simplicity and most of all her pure-soul. She was compared to actresses like Begum Para. Both of these icons were extremely versatile. They could pull off comedy, drama, thriller with ease.
Where they truly shined was in breaking barriers for women in their respective film industries. Both were extremely successful and founded their own production houses. While Marilyn could make her independent decisions, Madhubala shrouded under the guidance of her father who often limited her capability to make her own decisions. Their on-screen characters often broke stereotypes. Marilyn portrayed characters that helped establish women beyond pretty, naïve and gullible. Madhubala portrayed roles that challenged the patriarchal society in India.
So, here's the bottom line: many people call Madhubala "India's Marilyn Monroe" but the comparison definitely diminishes the value these two ladies bring to the forefront. They were icons in their own rights, each facing unique challenges and having distinctive legacies.
Let’s appreciate them for they really were- two visionaries who changed the way women are perceived in Cinema across the world. They were singular stars, shining brightly in their own unique constellations.
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