Mumtaz originally of Iranian origin was born to Abdul Saleem Askari and Sardar Shadi Habib Agha in Bombay, India, on July 31, 1947. She entered Bollywood at the early age of twelve.When asked which performances she is most proud of: "I was okay, nothing great at all. I liked Khilona that fetched me the Filmfare Best Actress Award. I also liked myself in Roop Tera Mastana, Aaina and Tere Mere Sapne. I should have won the Best Actress Award for Tere Mere Sapne. I really deserved it. Instead it went to Asha Parekh for Kati Patang in which she wore white and stood in front of piano doing precious little. Khair, jaane do (let it go). God has given me so much."
Mumtaz married millionaire Mayur Madhvani on May 29, 1974. They have two daughters Natasha and Tanya. Natasha, the elder daughter, married actor Fardeen Khan, son of Feroz Khan, in a lavish ceremony, in December 2005. In June 2008, she was honored for her "Achievement in Indian Cinema" by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) in Bangkok.
She started in films by accepting some small roles in big films like Mujhe Jeene Do and big roles in small budgeted stunt films like Boxer, Samson, Tarzan, and King Kong. In the 1960s, she starred in as many as 16 action films with freestyle wrestler Dara Singh and was labelled as a stunt film heroine. She first gained attention in a supporting role as a vamp in the A grade color hit film Mere Sanam (1965). The memorable sexy song yeh hai reshmai was picturized on her. The success of the film led to another sizzling song "Aye dushman jaan" in another big-budget film Patthar Ke Sanam.
Finally, she gained major attention when she played one of Dilip Kumar's leading ladies in Ram Aur Shyam (1967). The film became one of the top hits of the year, and she received her first Filmfare nomination as Best Supporting Actress. Suddenly, Mumtaz was flooded with offers, but still not for major leading lady roles. She supported Sharmila Tagore in several films in the late 1960s, such as for Saawan Ki Ghata, Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, and Mere Humdum Mere Dost. She had a memorable song and dance number ("Aaj kal tere mere") with her then-boyfriend Shammi Kapoor in the hit film Brahmachari (1968).
Mumtaz then at those times also accepted acting in sexy roles. Due to her great and killing looks she easily had several more hit films. She acted in over a hundred films in a career that spanned just 12 years. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for one of her favorite films Khilona in 1970, and she was "very happy that the audience accepted her in an emotional role." Mumtaz starred in many movies with Feroz Khan and her other popular pairing have been with great actors like Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna. She has also acted with Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and other top heroes of her era.
She quit acting after her appearance in Aaina (1977) which was a flop, even though it had co-starred Rajesh Khanna and was directed by famous director Kailasam Balachander. After that, she left films for marriage to a millionaire and only returned for one final film appearance 12 years later in the 1989 film Aandhiyan, which flopped and she turned down other film offers. In 1996 she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mumtaz had done a great collection of films in her career which are as follows:
In 1961 she had done in Stree. 1962 Wallah Kya Baat Hai. 1963 Sehra, Rustom Sohrab, Mujhe Jeene Do, Gehra Daag, Faulad, Ek Raaz. 1964 Veer Bhimsen, Samson, Rustom-E-Rome, Qawwali Ki Raat, Hercules, Baghi, Aandhi Aur Toofan. 1965 Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Tarzan and King Kong, Son of Hatimtai, Sikandar-e-Azam, Rustom-E-Hind, Raaka, Mere Sanam, Khandan, Kaajal, Jadui Angoothi, Hum Diwane, Do Dil, Boxer, Bedaag, Bahu Beti. 1966 Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, Sawan Ki Ghata, Saaz Aur Awaaz, Rustom Kaun, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Pati Patni, Ladka Ladki, Jawan Mard, Daku Mangal Singh, Daadi Maa, Suraj. 1967 Woh Koi Aur Hoga, Ram Aur Shyam, Patthar Ke Sanam, Hamraaz, Do Dushman, CID 909, Chandan Ka Palna, Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti, Baghdad Ki Raatein, Aag. 1968 Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Jung Aur Aman, Jahan Mile Dharti Akash, Golden Eyes Secret Agent 077, Gauri, Brahmachari, Apna Ghar Apni Kahani. 1969Shart, Mera Yaar Mera Dushman, Mera Dost, Jigri Dost, Do Raaste, Bandhan, Apna Khoon Apna Dushman, Aadmi Aur Insaan. 1970 Sachaa Jhutha, Pardesi, Khilona , Humjoli, Himmat, Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi, Bhai Bhai, Maa Aur Mamta. 1971 Mela,Ladki Pasand Hai, Kathputli, Jawan Mohabbat, Ek Naari Ek Brahmchari, Dushmun, Chaahat,Upaasna, Tere Mere Sapne, Hare Rama Hare Krishna. 1972 Tangewala, Shararat, Pyaar Diwana, Gomti Ke Kinare, Dharkan, Apradh, Apna Desh, Roop Tera Mastana. 1973 Pyaar Ka Rishta, Bandhe Haath, Lofar, Jheel Ke Us Paar. 1974 Chor Machaye Shor, Aap Ki Kasam, Roti.1975 Prem Kahani, Lafange, Aag Aur Toofan. 1976 Nagin. 1977 Aaina. 1989 Aandhiyan.