Timeless beauty Somy Ali on Mumtaz

True inspiration knows no word count, so while our ‘Timeless Beauty’ tribute is usually short and sweet, this week it takes a special turn. Somy Ali’s chosen icon has sparked a narrative that needs room to breathe, so here’s her deep dive into the grace, grit, and glamour of the inimitable Mumtaz.

“Some beauty is so luminous it doesn’t just light up the screen; it lights up the idea that love can exist beyond borders, beyond religions, beyond what society tries to divide. Born Askari — the same surname that runs through my maternal Iraqi-Pakistani lineage — Mumtaz rose to become one of Bollywood’s most beloved and graceful leading ladies of the 1960s and 70s. With her sparkling eyes, radiant smile, and effortless charm, she gave us unforgettable performances in classics like Brahmachari, Do Raaste, and Aap Ki Kasam. She is the epitome of timeless glamour, the kind of beauty that felt both modern and eternal. But for me, Mumtaz’s most enduring beauty lies far beyond the silver screen.