Check Out Madhubala’s Google Doodle On Her 86th Birth Anniversary

The Doodle is a riff on her legendary role as Anarkali.

Madhubala is depicted in her Mughal-E-Azam avatar in her own Google Doodle.

(Photo Courtesy: Google)

On the occasion of legendary Bollywood actor Madhubala’s 86th birth anniversary, search giant Google unveiled a tribute to her in the form of a Google Doodle on their home page.

A screenshot of Google on 14 February 2019, with a Doodle honouring Madhubala.

The Doodle was created by Bangalore-based artist Muhammed Sajid to celebrate Madhubala, often referred to as the ‘The Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood.’ The Doodle is take on the iconic image of the actor from one of her most famous roles, Mughal-E-Azam. The film is known for Madhubala’s heart-wrenching performance as Anarkali, her chemistry with Dilip Kumar, the seminal soundtrack and being one of the most expensive films in Indian history.

Born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi in Delhi, 1993, Madhubala was raised in a slum in Mumbai close to the Bombay Talkies film studio. She made her acting debut at the age of 9, and played the lead in Neel Kamal (1947) at 14. She soon became one of the leading female actors of the Golden Era.

Madhubala appeared in classics like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Mr. & Mrs. 55, Kala Paani, and Howrah Bridge during her brief lifetime, becoming one of the highly regarded personalities in the industry. She acted in over 70 films in two decades and was called “The Biggest Star in the World” in 1952 by Theatre Arts magazine.

“While her breathtaking appearance earned comparisons to Venus, Madhubala was a gifted actor with an understated style well suited for comedies, dramas, and romantic roles alike.” Google wrote on their blog.

In 2008, the government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp in Madhubala’s honour, and she continues to be remembered as one of the greatest presences to grace the silver screen.