Madhuri Dixit Biography

Madhuri wanted to become a micro-biologist - however that just wasn't destined to be.   An offer from Rajishri Productions brought Madhuri her first role, the film `Abodh' (1986) released and forgotten, it wasn't until godfather Ghai saw Madhuri and gave her a tiny dance sequence in `Karma' (1986), that things improved.  The dance sequence was omitted from the final cut.  Ghai promised Madhuri better  roles, on the condition that she stop doing tiny roles in insignificant films.  Thus, Ghai gave Madhuri `Uttar Dakshin', and then a proper launch in `Ram Lakhan' (1988).  Ghai also took the step of putting an eight page advertisement in the trade magazines featuring Madhuri, proclaiming that producers of the calibre of Boney Kapoor, Yash Chopra and six others had signed Madhuri for their forthcoming projects.   It was all together another matter  that none of the forementioned producers had signed Madhuri for  their films.

Madhuri however, didn't have to wait for Ghai's `Ram Lakhan', N.Chandra's `Tezaab' and ek, do, teen char took the nation by storm, Miss Dixit had arrived, and the whole world knew.  Tezaab went on to complete a golden jubilee, and was thus a bigger hit than Ram Lakhan.

A superb performance followed in Dil (1990) - which brought Madhuri her first Filmfare award, a rapport was struck with Indra Kumar which resulted in two more blockbusters Beta (1991) and Raja (1995).  1990 onwards, a hit film per year followed including Saajan, Khalnayak, Prem Pratigaya, cumulating in Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), hindi cinema's biggest blockbuster to date.  Madhuri mania ensured the success of `Raja' (1995), a film with many flaws, thus Madhuri was renamed `the female Amitabh Bachchan'. 

Unfortunately after the success of `Raja' (1995), Madhuri's films started to collapse at the box office.  Yaarana, Rajkumar, Prem Granth, Mahaanta, one after the other.   Luckily for Madhuri she gained praise for her performance in `Prem Granth' (1996) and for her looks in `Rajkumar' (1996).  By now it had dawned on the industry  that Madhuri's lataks and mataks ensure a films success, not.

The presswallas had by now written Madhuris obitury, and annouced that it was time for Madhuri to pack her bags and get married.  An issue was made of Madhuri co-starring with Akshaye Khanna who was younger in age to Madhuri in Mohabbat.  It was also widely stated that Madhuri favoured films produced by her secretary Rikhu, even though all of Rikhus productions failed at the box-office.  Madhuri was never far from controversy, her much publiced affair? with Sunjay Dutt caused a storm, when Sunjay's wife issued a press statement proclaiming her desire to have Sunjay back.  The Choli ke peeche song in Khalnayak also caused a stir.  With women liberation groups asked for a ban on Madhuri. After   the not so great Koyla, director Rakesh Roshan stated that Madhuri could no longer play the youthful type, and continued to make unsavoury comments.  Madhuris response was a dignified silence.  Madhuri is on top of the league when it comes to being unaffected by what is written about her.  Very rarely if ever has Madhuri retaliated to comments made abouther  in the press, by either journos or collegues. 

MadhuFilmography

Madhuri Dixit Awards

Madhuri misses the dhak-dhak days

Mumbai, March 28, 2006
IANS

Madhuri Dixit, now holidaying in Mumbai, says she reminisces about her years in the film industry but doesn't miss the hustle and bustle of Bollywood.

The actress, who shifted to the US after marrying an NRI doctor, says: "I miss my craft, the preparation for scenes, the nervousness before every shot and all that dhak-dhak."

Madhuri is planning a comeback and getting good offers too, but her priority is location.

Excerpts:

It would be difficult for the producers in Mumbai to reach you in LA?

The world is becoming such a small place. People sitting in Hong Kong do business with people in India. So communication is not a problem.

Most people feel there can never be another Madhuri Dixit.
In fact, the audiences still send me fan mails. It is a beautiful feeling to be loved and cherished. Talent never dies. I was very apprehensive about dancing on stage. I hadn't done it for four years. To my surprise, it wasn't difficult.

Even Sarojji (Khan) said it didn't look like I had been away for so long. Acting and dancing are hard to forget.

Madhuri Dixit, now holidaying in Mumbai, says she reminisces about her years in the film industry but doesn't miss the hustle and bustle of Bollywood.

Do you miss the film industry?

It depends on what you mean by the industry. If you mean the paraphernalia, then I don't miss that. But I miss my craft, the preparation for scenes, the nervousness before every shot and all that dhak dhak....
But I hardly have time to think of all this in LA. My kids are young - one and three years old - and demanding. But in a quiet moment I do think about my studio life.

Do you miss the adulation?

Not at all! I am too busy being the wife and mom. It was a dream for me to have my own family. And I have it today. I grew up in a big family. It was very important for me to have one of my own... as important as my stardom, in fact more... I enjoyed the acting. But I was sure of how many years I'd give my career. After enjoying every bit of that I'm now enjoying domesticity.

You have come back to a different film industry...
Yes I have. Today's films are technically so much more advanced. And since Hindi cinema now goes to many parts of the world, they are aesthetically far better than the films earlier on. I look at some my earlier films and cringe.

But that was what filmmaking was about then. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Though it's great to see the changes. I love the care taken to look into details.

Do you have lots of friends in the industry?

Not very many. But yes I have lots of well-wishers. And I know if they have something in mind, they'll approach me. The project has to be worth my while. Actually there were three films I was supposed to do two years ago. But they didn't happen because I got pregnant.

I guess at that point of time bringing up a baby was more exciting than doing a movie. Now people who come to me, do so with concrete characters and not just random offers. That's wonderful. I am open to all kinds offers as long as I am not asked to do anything boring.

Have you watched any films lately?

I saw a few songs of Bunty Aur Babli. I love the song Kajra re. Parineeta is the only one film I have seen and I liked it.

http://www.nriinternet.com/Section1/12Movies%20and%20Music/MadhuriDixit/1_06_Madhuri_misses.htm

Madhuri misses the dhak-dhak days