In a candid and delightfully bold revelation, legendary Bollywood diva Mumtaz, now a radiant 77, has drawn a firm, glamorous line in the sand: she absolutely refuses to play Shah Rukh Khan’s mother in any film — even if the King of Bollywood himself was head-over-heels for her once upon a time.
In a recent chat with journalist Vickey Lalwani, the ever-graceful superstar explained her golden rule: she will only portray a mother to actors who are at least 20 years younger than her. That’s right — no compromises, no exceptions.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Shah Rukh Khan, who’s turning a stately 60 this year, once openly confessed that his first crush — that electric jolt of admiration in his youth — was none other than Mumtaz. For a generation of moviegoers, Mumtaz wasn’t just a star — she was a celestial force, exuding charm, confidence, and unmatched glamour.
Yet when asked about the possibility of playing SRK’s mother, Mumtaz didn’t hesitate. Her answer? A resounding, elegant “No.”
“I’ll only play a mom to an actor who is 20 years younger than me,” she said with a smile that could still melt hearts. “And that, too, provided I look good on screen.”
And who would dare argue? Even in her late seventies, Mumtaz continues to embody the quintessential Bollywood beauty — timeless, bold, and uncompromising. She highlighted that her real-life children don’t look drastically younger than she does, further underscoring her point that casting her as a mother to a nearly 60-year-old wouldn’t make cinematic sense.
When pressed on why she wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of someone like Jaya Bachchan, who has embraced such roles, Mumtaz responded with a dignified shrug, “That’s Jaya’s decision.” Then came the kicker, delivered with irresistible flair:
“Tell Shah Rukh I’ll work with him if I can look like I actually do. But he’ll say no. Why should I have grey hair?”
That’s Mumtaz for you — confident, witty, and utterly unapologetic.
Despite turning down the idea, Mumtaz had only glowing words for SRK. “He’s very intelligent, very smart, and a lovely person. Just because he likes me doesn’t mean he’d cast me if I don’t look the part.” A classy, crystal-clear distinction between affection and professionalism.
But all hope isn’t lost for those dreaming of a Mumtaz-SRK collaboration. Inspired by Hollywood’s indomitable Jane Fonda — particularly her fierce and fabulous role in Mother-in-Law — Mumtaz expressed her desire to take on stylish, commanding characters. “Her character didn’t want to accept a girl who was ‘gareeb’ (poor). She had the freedom to look and dress the way she wanted. That’s something I’d like too.”
Her admiration for Fonda signals that Mumtaz isn’t retreating from the screen — she’s just evolving. Think glamorous matriarchs, fashion-forward socialites, and high-society firebrands — roles that celebrate age with attitude and elegance.
Let’s not forget: over a decade ago, at a press event that melted hearts nationwide, Shah Rukh Khan had revealed that his earliest crushes were Mumtaz and Saira Bano, calling them “the most beautiful women in the world.” A sentiment shared by millions who grew up watching her grace the silver screen.
So while she may not be donning a saree and scolding SRK as his on-screen mom anytime soon, Mumtaz’s statement makes one thing brilliantly clear: her reign as a cinematic icon is far from over — it’s simply taking on a new, dazzling form.