How did Madhubala and Dilip Kumar’s love affair come to an end?

Madhubala. That name is enough to conjure up an image of immense beauty, beauty that is almost ethereal. Madhubala continues to remain an enigma and one of the most beautiful women in the Hindi film industry. Madhubala also had a whirlwind love affair with Dilip Kumar but that ended tragically. Madhubala’s younger sister Madhur Bhushan tells ETimes that Madhubala and Dilip Kumar were together for nine years.

What made them part ways? “If you believe me, it was the Naya Daur case that created wedges between them. Tempers flared and things got bad. Shayad Allah ko manzoor nahi tha aur unka pyaar khatam ho gaya. Dilip saab had come home after that and yes, Madhubala did ask him to say ‘sorry’ to our father. But Dilip saab termed him as ‘dictator and difficult’. Madhubala reminded Dilip saab that he’d never behaved like that with him. My father liked Dilip Kumar. If he hadn’t liked Dilip Kumar, would he have given his consent to his daughter’s love story?” Madhur tells ETimes.

“She never forgot him. In fact, he even came to Breach Candy Hospital when she was ailing and told her that they’ll work together again. He wasn’t married then. After his marriage, they never met. He came to the graveyard but the burial was over. His family came too. They sent us food for the next three days. It was respect and no animosity,” she says about Dilip Kumar.