Veteran actor Mumtaz, who made her first television appearance in over five decades alongside Dharmendra on Indian Idol Season 13 in 2023, has revealed that she consciously avoids TV shows because she feels they don’t pay her what she deserves.Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Mumtaz said, “Even today, they call me on television. When I went on TV for the first time with Dharam ji and danced with him on the stage, that was the only time I went on television.”
‘People do it for Rs 3–4 lakh, but this is my price’
Mumtaz shared that despite repeated offers, she has remained firm about her remuneration. “Till now, they have contacted me over one hundred times and I told them about my price,” she said, adding, “They said that people do it in Rs 3–4 lakh, so I told them that I can’t say anything for those people. That’s their wish. They can do it for free also, but this is my price. I have always been like that.”She further revealed that she was paid Rs 18–20 lakh for her appearance on Indian Idol. “I have told the television people a thousand times that this is my price. I can adjust Rs 20–25k, but not more than that. I did only one show. They said they can’t pay me, and I haven’t done it. I don’t want to do it. Paisa pheko, tamasha dekho!” she said.
‘I never lowered my value, even as a leading lady’
Mumtaz said she was equally particular about her fees during her peak years in cinema. Reflecting on her decision to turn down Seeta Aur Geeta, she explained, “Not just fees. But yes, that was also one of the reasons. Ramesh Sippy sahab was a big producer and director at that time, so he thought I might do it in Rs 2 lakh because he was a big producer. Every big producer has their own ego issues.”She added that she didn’t feel compelled to accept the film. “Thankfully, I was getting so many films already that I didn’t feel this film would do anything special for me. So, things didn’t work out between us. But you see, Hema Malini did it na.”
Asked if she ever regretted turning down the film, Mumtaz firmly said no. “How many other films in her career became a hit? She has more or me? Please make the list, I have given more hits,” she said, before adding, “I don’t want to overstate, please forgive me God! But because you asked this, I had to answer.”Explaining her stand, she said, “I would have loved to do that subject, but I didn’t want to lower my value or level. Producers start questioning if you do a film at a lesser fee for someone.” Mumtaz and Dharmendra shared screen space in several popular films, including Loafer (1973) and Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973), and were widely admired for their on-screen chemistry. The actor recently also paid tribute to Dharmendra with a heartfelt social media post, remembering their bond and shared cinematic legacy.
