Mumtaz recalls Yash Chopra’s repeated marriage proposals

Veteran actress Mumtaz

recently opened up about a deeply personal and lesser-known chapter of her life, her equation with the late filmmaker Yash Chopra. Speaking in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, Mumtaz revealed that Chopra, who was once an assistant to his brother BR Chopra, was infatuated with her and even proposed to her, not once, but repeatedly.
Reminiscing about those early days, Mumtaz said, “Not once, he must’ve asked me a thousand times. I’m exaggerating, but he told me on several occasions, ‘Aye moti, I love you yaar, marry me.’” Despite his heartfelt proposals, she simply didn’t feel the same way.
‘There was no chemistry, I couldn’t marry him’
Mumtaz explained that though Yash Chopra was affectionate and persistent, she never saw him as a romantic partner. “To have such a close relationship with anybody, you have to fall in love with the person. You have to have chemistry. If you don’t have chemistry, how can you live together as a married couple? I never had that chemistry with him,” she said, making it clear that their bond remained platonic.

She recalled how Chopra often visited her house and was well-liked by her mother, who thought of him as a good man. Mumtaz also had fond words for Chopra’s wife, Pamela, calling her a warm hostess during her visits to their home.
Yash Chopra’s last call and a promise to watch Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Mumtaz became emotional as she remembered the filmmaker’s passing in 2012, just before the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his final directorial. “I was in London when I got the news,” she said. She recalled that Chopra had once called her and asked her to promise she would watch his upcoming film. That conversation remains etched in her memory.

During a later meeting with Rani Mukerji, Chopra’s daughter-in-law, she was reminded of his wish for her to visit Yash Raj Studios. Though she wanted to honour it, Mumtaz said she now feels hesitant to ask for a tour, as too much time has passed.

Mumtaz on the men she was actually drawn to
While Yash Chopra’s love remained unrequited, Mumtaz admitted she had been romantically drawn to actors Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor, though things didn’t work out with them either.