When Dilip Kumar slapped Madhubala on the Mughal-E-Azam set after their break-up, director told actress, "It only proves he loved you"

The resurfacing of an unsettling incident between two of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, has sparked intense discussion online. A recent news revisits a controversial moment from the set of the classic film Mughal-E-Azam, revealing an emotionally charged and painful chapter in the duo’s personal and professional history.

Before Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu, he was deeply in love with Madhubala. The two stars began dating during the filming of Tarana and even planned to marry. However, Madhubala’s father strongly opposed the relationship. This parental disapproval led to their breakup during the shooting of Mughal-E-Azam, though they continued working together despite the personal rift.

The incident in question occurred during the filming of a scene where Dilip Kumar’s character, Prince Salim, had to slap Madhubala’s Anarkali. But instead of faking the slap, as is commonly done in cinema, Kumar reportedly struck her with real intensity. According to their co-star Ajit, as mentioned in the book I Want To Live: The Story of Madhubala, “Dilip Kumar had ‘let go’ and used his ‘full force’ to hit the actress.”

What shocked many even more was director K. Asif’s reaction. As Madhubala stood stunned on set, he allegedly said, “I am very happy today for it is apparent he still loves you. Who but a man in love could have done something like this? It only proves he loved you and continues to love you, whatever you may think.”