Many untold stories lie buried behind the curtains of Bollywood. Some glamorous, some shocking, and some that still send shivers down the spine. One such story is that of Madhu Malini, who was once called Hema Malini’s lookalike. Raised in poverty, she managed to carve a niche for herself in films in the 1970s and became an overnight sensation as Amitabh Bachchan’s onscreen sister. But as quickly as she climbed the ladder of stardom, her life ended just as mysteriously. Here’s everything you need to know about Madhu Malini, who was once called Madhuri Dixit’s look-alike.
Rukhsana became Madhu Malini
Born in Mahim, Mumbai, in the 1950s, Rukhsana’s family survived in poverty; she saw no hope for the future. But this same girl was obsessed with the world of cinema, Bollywood. She started with small roles and gradually attracted the attention of the entire industry. Then came the turning point that changed her entire life.
People noticed her resemblance to Hema Malini. In no time, Rukhsana was addressed as ‘Madhu Malini.’ Madhu further carved her name by playing Amitabh Bachchan’s sister in ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ (1978). This role brought her instant fame overnight. She later starred in films like Lawaris, Khuddar, Ek Duje Ke Liye, and Razia Sultan.
Madhu Malini’s body was found at home
But amidst this glitz and glamour of Madhu Malini lay a dark veil that fell over her life, one that has not been lifted to this day. In the late 1980s, a news left the entire entertainment industry in shock. Madhu Malini was found dead at her residence.
The most horrifying part was that nobody was aware when Madhu died or how long her body had been there. The police started an investigation, but even they ended up having zero leads in Madhu Malini’s case. It was difficult to determine whether Madhu Malini’s case was either murder or suicide. According to media outlets, no one saw anything, nor did anyone hear anything. The matter was so complicated that the case was closed shortly after.
