Veteran actress Mumtaz has stirred controversy with her recent comments about Zeenat Aman. In a candid interview, Mumtaz said that she does not consider Zeenat Aman to be a strong actress. While she admitted she is ready to apologise if needed, she also made it clear that she stands by what she said.
During her conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Mumtaz questioned how easily the word “star” is used today. She said that not every actor deserves to be called a star, and that true stardom comes only after years of hard work and dedication. She pointed out that many people are given this title too quickly, which, according to her, reduces its real value.
Mumtaz also compared Zeenat Aman to some of the most respected actresses in Indian cinema. She named legends like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis and Rekha, calling them the real stars among heroines. She also used Dilip Kumar as an example, saying that becoming a star like him takes many years of effort and struggle.
This is not the first time Mumtaz has spoken strongly about Zeenat Aman. Earlier, she had criticised Zeenat’s views on live in relationships. In 2024, Zeenat had shared that live in relationships can be a good option for couples. Responding to this, Mumtaz said that such advice may not suit Indian values and traditions. She also mentioned Zeenat’s past marriage with Mazhar Khan, calling it difficult, and suggested that she may not be the right person to give relationship advice.
Despite these criticisms, Zeenat Aman continues to stay active in her career. She was recently seen in the show The Royals, where her performance received positive feedback from both audiences and critics. She is also set to appear in the upcoming film Bun Tikki, alongside Abhay Deol and Shabana Azmi. The film is directed by Faraz Arif Ansari and produced under Manish Malhotra’s banner.
With strong opinions from both sides and no direct response yet from Zeenat Aman, this debate has caught the attention of fans. It has also reopened conversations about what truly defines a star in Bollywood.