Mumtaz reveals she wanted to marry Shammi Kapoor but Raj Kapoor's rule ended their love story: 'Ghar ki bahu kaam nahi karegi'

Veteran actress Mumtaz recently opened up about her unfulfilled romance with one of Hindi cinema’s most charismatic stars, Shammi Kapoor. Speaking to Vickey Lalwani in a candid chat, the actress revealed how deeply she admired the Brahmachari star and wanted to marry him, but the love story was cut short by family traditions laid down by Shammi’s father, the legendary Raj Kapoor.

‘I liked him… I wanted to marry him’

“Shammi Kapoor was a very good-looking man, and I liked him,” Mumtaz said without hesitation. “There is nothing to hide, nothing to deny.” The actress confessed she was never bothered by the significant age gap between them — around 17 to 18 years — and even hoped for a future together. “I wanted to marry him,” she admitted.

However, things took a turn when Raj Kapoor, fondly referred to by her as Papa ji, stepped in. “He was very strict in those days,” she said. “There was a rule till he was alive, that ghar ki bahu kaam nahi karegi. It was as straightforward as that.”

Raj Kapoor rejected her for Mera Naam Joker over a costume clause

Their love story wasn’t the only casualty of Kapoor family rules. Mumtaz also revealed that she lost out on a role in Raj Kapoor’s iconic Mera Naam Joker because of concerns about the character’s attire. She had done a look test for the film and loved how the pictures turned out — but Raj Kapoor backed out, fearing her association with Shammi might complicate matters.

“He said the character would need to wear very short clothes. What will happen if you get married in our family?” she recalled him saying. “I told him that we weren’t getting married, and that he could confirm this with Shammi ji. But he was worried. What if we changed our minds halfway through his film?”

Despite Mumtaz’s reassurances, Raj Kapoor remained firm. She sensed that his concern wasn’t just about the film but about preserving the image of the Kapoor family. “He didn’t want to take a chance,” she said, looking back at how his protectiveness over his family name often extended into his casting choices.

Prithviraj Kapoor’s rule stopped Kapoor daughters-in-law from working

Mumtaz also shed light on the deeper roots of this tradition, pointing out that the rule was not originally Raj Kapoor’s. “The rule was enforced by Prithviraj ji,” she said. “He never wanted that bahu log kaam karein. He was an old-fashioned man.”

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She added, “The Kapoor family is highly respected to this day. They wouldn’t want women of the house wearing loose clothes and jumping in the air.”

While the love never blossomed into marriage, Mumtaz’s affection for Shammi Kapoor remains evident. “He was someone I really liked,” she said.

Well, Mumtaz and Shammi Kapoor were one of the most beloved on-screen pairs of Bollywood’s golden age. Known for their charming chemistry and lively performances, the duo starred together in films that remain fan favorites to this day. While Shammi Kapoor brought his signature energy and flair to the screen, Mumtaz complemented him with her grace and natural acting. Though they never had an off-screen romance, their pairing created magic in movies like Brahmachari and Vallah Kya Baat Hai. Even today, fans fondly remember their films as timeless classics.