She started her career with light music recitals with All India Radio, the Indian government radio. Her career as a playback singer with Hindi film industry started when she got a break in the movie Aaiye with the song "Mohe Aane Lagi Angrayi, Aja Aja Balam" for composer Shaukat Dehlvi. She also sang a duet with the then upcoming Lata Mangeshkar.

Most composers had preferring to provide her with only a few lines instead of complete songs; she had struggled to be considered for complete songs. Even later, when she happened to sing seven songs in the Kamaal Amrohi film Daayaraa, the film sank and with that her hopes of making it big in the Hindi film playback industry.

Her big moment, however, finally came when the legendary film maker Bimal Roy gave her the song "Haal-e-Dil Sunayenge" in the film Madhumati. The song was one among the many hits in the extremely successful movie. But somehow, luck continued to elude Mubarak Begum, with only an occasional hit over the subsequent years. With her soulful voice and melody, and the haunting effect her voice had over listeners, she could not quite reach the heights she ought to have. Another major hit in her career was the song "kabhi tanhaiyon mein" for composer Snhela Bhatkar in Kidar Sharma's film Hamaari Yaad Aayegi.