Mumtaz (born 1952) is a Pakistani film actress who worked in Urdu and Punjabi movies during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. She is known for her lead roles in the movies Pyaar Ka Mausam (1975), Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1975), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1975), and Amber (1978). She won 5 Nigar Awards in her long cinema career.

Early life Mumtaz was born as Riffat Qazalbash in 1952 in Karachi. Mumtaz's father Amir-ul-Hassan Qazalbash, was a resident of Agra. After Partition of India in 1947, he migrated to Pakistan and moved to Karachi. Before appearing in Lollywood films, she was quite popular for dancing at various functions and social events in Karachi.

Career Mumtaz came to films in 1971. Her first film was Dil Aur Dunya and her second film, Ehsaas (1972) was directed by Nazar-ul-Islam and produced by Ilyas Rashidi. Along with Shabnam and Nadeem in the lead cast, Mumtaz had a small role in the film. She again played a small role in Shahid and Rani's film Umrao Jaan Aada. Meanwhile, she had given a dance performance in a Punjabi film, Banarsi Thug (1973), to a song sung by Noor Jehan, with the lyrics Ankh Lari Badu Badi, Mouqa Miley Kadi Kadi. The song was filmed in a bar. This sensational song was a huge super hit and made Mumtaz famous overnight. After Banarasi Thug, Mumtaz's social film Sidha Raasta, starring Naghma, Yousuf Khan, and Sultan Rahi, became a diamond jubilee and Mumtaz became the center of attention for film fans across Pakistan.

Mumtaz's first lead role film was Intezaar which was released in 1974. The film starred Mumtaz alongside Shabnam, Nadeem, Babra Sharif, and Mohammad Qavi. The heroine of this film was Shabnam, but the entire story of this film revolves around Mumtaz. In this film, Mumtaz was portrayed as a very modern girl. This film became a silver jubilee in Karachi. Just two weeks after the release of this film, Mumtaz's other film Shikaar was released, in which she appeared as a full heroine. In this film, Mumtaz played the role of a dumb girl against the hero Shahid, who was portrayed as a savage wild man. After the release of this film, Mumtaz dominated Pakistan's film industry and she became a busy actress. Her film Dushman, which was released at the end of 1974, also became a golden jubilee hit. The director of this film was Pervez Malik. In this film, Mumtaz played a lead role along with Waheed Murad and Muhammad Ali.

Dancing was the central attraction in Mumtaz's screen performances. In the movie Mohabbat Zindagi Hai, singer Nahid Akhtar's playback song "Tut Turu Tara Tara" was pictured on Mumtaz. She was much applauded for her dancing performance for that song.

Later, Mumtaz worked in several successful movies like Pyaar Ka Maasam (1975), Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1975), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1975), Sheeshay Ka Ghar (1978), and Amber (1978). Her last film, Ghail, was released in 1997.

After a break of almost 25 years following her marriage, Mumtaz returned to Pakistan from Canada and resumed acting in films. Later, she transitioned to television.

In 2025, she made a comeback in films and appeared in film Welcome to Punjab which was released on 14 August 2025 and her role was praised.

Personal life Reportedly, Mumtaz was in a relationship with film producer Chaudhry Ajmal during the late 1970s, though they were never married. She was married to film studio owner Bari Malik for a short period. She had a son, Zeeshan Raheel Bari, with him before they separated in the early 1980s.

Later, she married a Pakistani businessman and moved to Canada. As of 2025, she lives in Canada with her family.

Filmography Television YearTitleRoleNetwork2023 Star & Style Season 4 Herself PTV

Film Mumtaz acted in 202 Urdu and Punjabi films: Year Film Language 1971 Dil Aur Dunya Urdu 1972 Ehsaas Urdu 1972 Umrao Jaan Ada Urdu 1973 Mr. 420 Punjabi 1973 Ziddi Punjabi 1973 Yaar, Pyar Tay Maa Punjabi 1973 Banarsi Thug Punjabi 1973 Rangeela Ashiq Punjabi 1973 Rangeela Aur Munawar Zarif Urdu 1973 Farz Urdu 1974 Tum Salamat Raho Urdu 1974 Sidha Rasta Punjabi 1974 Naukar Wohti Da Diamond jubilee film Punjabi 1974 Badmash Puttar Punjabi 1974 Shikar Urdu 1974 Qatil Punjabi 1974 Intezar Urdu 1974 Bhool (Golden jubilee film) Urdu 1974 Dushman Urdu 1974 Deedar Urdu 1974 Jadoo Punjabi 1975 Saajan Rang Rangeela Urdu 1975 Haar Geya Insan Urdu 1975 Pyar Ka Mousam Urdu 1975 Mohabbat Zindagi Hai Urdu 1975 Sharif Badmash Punjabi 1975 Soorat Aur Seerat Urdu 1975 Guddi Punjabi 1975 Shararat Urdu 1975 Roshni Urdu 1975 Jab Jab Phool Khile Urdu 1975 Shoukan Melay Di Punjabi 1976 Talash (Diamond jubilee film) Urdu 1976 Koshish Urdu 1976 Sohni Mehinval Punjabi 1976 Kharidar Urdu 1976 Pathar Tay Moti Punjabi 1976 Akh Lari Bado Badi Punjabi 1976 Ann Daata Urdu 1976 Reshma Tay Shera Punjabi 1976 Gama B.A. Punjabi 1976 Geo Aur Jeenay Do Urdu 1976 Jahangira Punjabi 1977 Aavara Urdu 1977 Parastish Urdu 1977 Jasoos Urdu 1977 Jabroo Punjabi 1977 BeGunah Punjabi 1977 Jeenay Ki Rah Urdu 1977 Shaheen Urdu 1977 Apnay Huay Paraey Urdu 1978 Amber Urdu 1978 Aag Aur Zindagi Urdu 1978 Sharmili Urdu 1978 Sheeshay Ka Ghar Urdu 1978 Kall Day Munday Punjabi 1978 Haider Ali Urdu 1978 Dushman Ki Talash Urdu / Pashto 1979 Qasm Khoon Di Punjabi 1979 Yahan Say Vahan Tak Urdu 1979 Tehka Pehlvan Punjabi 1979 Remand Punjabi 1979 Raja Ki Aye Gi Baraat Urdu 1979 2 Rastay Urdu 1979 Attal Faisala Punjabi 1979 Jeenay Ki Saza Urdu 1979 Ziddi Jatt Punjabi 1979 Dangal Punjabi 1979 Khana Jangi Punjabi 1979 Nizam Daku Punjabi 1979 Khushboo Urdu 1979 Dubai Chalo Punjabi 1979 Qatil Tay Farishta Punjabi 1980 Ik Wohti 3 Lahray Punjabi 1980 Iqrar Pashto 1980 Vadda Thanedar Punjabi 1980 Baraan Pashto 1980 2 Nishan Punjabi 1980 Sohra Tay Jawai Punjabi 1981 Khabara Da Izzat Da Pashto 1981 Mr. Aflatoon Punjabi 1981 Gunman Urdu 1981 Meray Apnay Urdu 1981 Fatafat Punjabi 1981 Parvah Nein Punjabi 1981 Kufr-o-Islam Pashto 1981 Sala Sahib Punjabi 1981 Sher Khan Punjabi 1981 Sangram Urdu 1981 Dara Sikandar Punjabi 1981 Veryam Punjabi 1981 Chann Suraj Punjabi 1981 Maula Jatt Tay Noori Natt Punjabi 1981 Rustam Punjabi 1981 Posti Punjabi 1981 Ghazab Pashto 1981 Sultan Tay Veryam Punjabi 1982 Black Warrant Urdu 1982 Bharia Mela Punjabi 1982 Raja Sahib Urdu 1982 Sangsar Punjabi 1982 2 Bhiga Zamin Punjabi 1982 Noukar Tay Malik Punjabi 1982 Haidar Sultan Punjabi 1982 Ik Nikah Hor Sahi Punjabi 1982 Shaan Punjabi 1982 Bivian Hey Bivian Urdu 1982 Wohti Jee Punjabi 1982 Zara Si Baat Urdu 1982 Charhda Suraj Punjabi 1982 Visa Dubai Da Punjabi 1982 Ik Ziddi Veer Punjabi 1982 Wohti Da Sawal A Punjabi 1983 Jatt Tay Dogar Punjabi 1983 2 Ziddi Punjabi 1983 Bau Ji Punjabi 1983 Aakhri Muqabila Punjabi 1983 Moti Tay Dogar Punjabi 1983 Dillan day Souday Punjabi 1983 Susral Chalo Punjabi 1983 Raka Punjabi 1983 Murad Khan Punjabi 1983 Samundar Par Punjabi 1983 Toofan Tay Toofan Punjabi 1983 Heera Pathar Punjabi 1983 Sher Mama Punjabi 1984 Namak Halal Punjabi 1984 Hathan Vich Hath Punjabi 1984 Ishq Samundar Punjabi 1984 Kalia Punjabi 1984 Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Urdu 1984 Iman Tay Farangi Punjabi 1984 Haibat Khan Punjabi 1984 Ishq Pecha Punjabi 1984 Bala Gaadi Punjabi 1984 Baghi Punjabi 1984 Khanu Dada Punjabi 1984 Andher Nagri Punjabi 1984 Taavan Punjabi 1984 Pukar Punjabi 1985 Hero Urdu 1985 Dhee Rani Punjabi 1985 Pukhay Bateray Punjabi 1985 Halaku Tay Khan Punjabi 1985 Jani Dushman Punjabi 1986 Mama Saray Shehar Da Punjabi 1986 Baghi Sipahi Punjabi 1986 Zanjeer Urdu 1986 Griftari Punjabi 1986 Chann Tay Soorma Punjabi 1986 Jitt Qanoon Di Punjabi 1986 Charhda Toofan Punjabi 1986 Qatil Ki Talash Urdu 1986 Agg Day Darya Punjabi 1986 Suhagan Punjabi 1986 Balocha Tay Daku Punjabi 1987 Sangal Punjabi 1987 Moti Sher Punjabi 1987 Kala Toofan Punjabi 1987 Jabar Khan Punjabi 1987 Kundan Urdu 1987 Rajput Punjabi 1987 Chann Mahi Punjabi 1987 Babul Veer Punjabi 1987 Mera Insaf Urdu 1988 Pyar Tera Mera Punjabi 1988 Farz-o-Qanoon Pashto 1988 Mafroor Punjabi 1988 Taqatvar Punjabi 1988 Baghi Haseena Urdu 1988 Mundri Punjabi 1988 Sheru Tay Sultan Punjabi 1989 Sikandra Punjabi 1989 Jeenay Ki Aarzoo Urdu 1989 Ik Jan Hayn Ham Urdu 1989 Rogi Punjabi 1989 Achhu 302 Punjabi 1989 Faislo Zamir Jo Sindhi 1989 Kala Heera Punjabi 1989 Jurm-o-Qanoon Urdu 1990 Siren Punjabi 1990 Babul Punjabi 1990 Palay Khan Punjabi 1990 Khatarnak Punjabi 1990 Qudrat Da Inteqam Punjabi 1990 Chann Badmash Punjabi 1990 Kufr-o-Islam Urdu 1991 Kalay Chor Punjabi / Urdu 1991 Sar Phira Punjabi 1991 Aalmi Jasoos Punjabi / Urdu 1991 Gandasa Punjabi 1991 Badmash Thug Punjabi / Urdu 1991 Pasoori Badshah Punjabi 1991 Gangva Punjabi 1991 Pyar Hi Pyar Punjabi / Urdu 1992 Zindagi Punjabi / Urdu 1992 Mera Inteqam Punjabi 1993 Da Nakrezo Shpa Pashto 1994 Malang Bacha Pashto 1996 Iqtadar Punjabi 1997 Ghail Urdu 2025 Welcome to Punjab Urdu

Awards and recognition Year Award Category Result Title Ref. 1975 Nigar Award Best Actress Jaadu 1978 Nigar Award Special Award Haidar Ali 1979 Nigar Award Best Actress Nizam Daku 1980 Nigar Award Best Actress Sohra Te Jawai 1985 Nigar Award Best Actress Dhee Rani

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