Mumtaz reveals she charged ₹20 lakhs for appearing in Indian Idol
Veteran actress Mumtaz, who made her first appearance on Indian Idol Season 13 in 2023 with Dharmendra revealed that she consciously avoids TV shows because she feels they don’t pay her what she deserves.
Over her recent media interaction.Speaking to Mumtaz said, even today, they call on television. When she appeared on TV for the first time with Dharam ji and danced with him on the stage, that was the only time.
Adding that people do it for ₹3–4 lakh, but this is her price’
Mumtaz shared that regardless repeated offers, she has remained firm about her remuneration. “Till now, they have contacted her over one hundred times and she told them about her price, further adding, they said that people do it in Rs 3–4 lakh, so she told them that she can’t say anything for those people. That’s their wish. They can do it for free also, but this is her price and she has always been like that.
She has never lowered her value, even as a leading lady.
Mumtaz said she was equally particular about her fees amidst her peak years in cinema.
Reflecting on her decision to turn down Seeta Aur Geeta, she explained, “Not just fees. But yes, that was also one of the reasons. Ramesh Sippy sahab was a big producer and director at that time, so he thought she might do it in Rs 2 lakh because he was a big producer. Every big producer has their own ego issues.
She furthet added that she didn’t feel compelled to accept the film. “Thankfully, she was getting so many films already that I she didn’t feel this film would do anything special for her. So, things didn’t work out between them. But you see, Hema Malini did it na.”
Asked if she ever regretted turning down the film, Mumtaz firmly said no. “How many other films in her career became a hit? She has more or her? Please make the list, she has given more hits,” she said, before adding, she don’t want to overstate, please forgive her God! But because you asked this, she had to answer.
Mumtaz and Dharmendra shared screen space in several popular films, including Loafer released in 1973 and Jheel Ke Us Paar in 1973, and were widely admired for their
on-screen chemistry. The actress recently also paid tribute to Dharmendra with a heartfelt social media post, remembering their bond and shared cinematic legacy.
News Edit KV Raman
