Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; February 20, 2019)

It seems almost impossible that an on-screen pair can weave the same magic like they did 20 years ago. But Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit-Nene have actually managed to pull that off with ease. The duo, who is seen on TV shows these days promoting their new film Total Dhamaal, have made viewers sit up and gape at their striking chemistry, even as they sway to Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and their other hit songs from the 90s. In a fun chat with Bombay Times, the two talk about reuniting on the big screen after almost two decades, how they have maintained their friendship over the years and what’s common between them. Excerpts...

Anil, was it total dhamaal working with Madhuri after 18 years?
Anil: Actually, it’s a little more than that; I think we last faced the camera together 19 years ago. Yes, it was total dhamaal with Indra Kumar (director) being there and the three of us coming together after Beta. It was a lot of fun with the entire star cast. Madhuri has worked before with most of the actors, be it Ajay (Devgn), Arshad (Warsi) or Jaaved (Jaaferi). The whole vibe was very good. It didn’t feel like we were shooting after such a long gap. Also, Madhuri and I have kept in touch over the years.
Madhuri: I remember he had come to Denver. He visited me when my kids were small. We had so much fun shopping...
Anil: Your husband (Dr Sriram Nene) bought me a pair of boots.
Madhuri: Yes, Denver is known for boots — the cowboy kind of boots.

Madhuri, when you learnt that Anil is paired with you in this film, did that make you more comfortable and sure about taking on this project?
Madhuri: Absolutely! When Indu ji (Indra Kumar) came to me with the script, I loved it. I asked him who would play my husband and he said he would be approaching Anil ji. I said it would be great to have all of us in this kind of a mileu.
Anil: I will let out a secret today. Before we signed on the dotted line, Madhuri and I were in touch over this and we kept asking each other, ‘What do you think about this? It’s sounding great’. And then, we both decided that we should do it. Yes, Madhuri and I are coming together after a long time, but this is an ensemble film, where there are 12 people and all have equal roles. That’s the beauty of this film.
Madhuri: We also felt that it would be perfect if the two of us did this film. It would not make sense for anybody else to pair with either of us.

According to you, what’s the one thing that hasn’t changed about the other?
Anil: The most important thing is, she is humane. She has been the same since the time I first met her. From within, she has not changed as a person at all. She looks so beautiful because from the inside, she is calm, happy and relaxed. Her smile has not changed at all, likewise, her dancing remains unchanged after all these years. When I see her dance, I feel the same magic. The only thing that is different now is that she has two beautiful children and a great husband.
Madhuri: I don’t think Anil has changed either. Of course, with everything that’s happening on social media, he has turned quite savvy. I was surprised because he is usually reticent, but now, he is out there and ready to experiment on that level. Otherwise, I can see he has the same drive to work hard and succeed. He has the same energy and manages to get everyone going. We were on a TV show sometime back, where he just took the reins in his hands and said, ‘Come on everyone, let’s make this more enjoyable’. With Anil, what you see is what you get. There are never any layers; he is honest and straightforward. What he says is what he means, always. What he said about me just now is exactly what I would say about him. It’s all about keeping the child within you alive. I feel the same as I did years ago. I can’t believe I have kids who are that big. I look at them and say, ‘Really?’
Anil: God has been kind. When you look at your journey in terms of your personal or professional life, you know that you are blessed. These things make a lot of difference because kabhi kabhi journey mein utaar-chadhaav zyaada ho jate hain and that can take a toll on a person. What’s common between the two of us, I think, is that we have always had our priorities right. Sometimes, you have to make a sacrifice in your professional life if you feel that priority has to be given to your personal life. I would do that. She is also like that. The way she got married, decided to move to the US, it’s remarkable. Around that time, she did Pukar (2000), which was appreciated, then Devdas (2002) — one of the biggest hits. It’s not easy leaving behind all the glamour and the hustle-bustle.

What was it like when you visited her in Denver?
Anil: It was not just a house, it was a home. It was quiet, peaceful and pure. They were leading a beautiful life away from everything. To be honest, I could do it for a week or 10 or 20 days maximum. After that mujhe lagega ki ab Mumbai ka crowd chahiye.
Madhuri: But I was very happy and loved it. I enjoyed that phase of my life.

Anil, when you first heard that Madhuri was getting married and shifting base, how did you react?
Anil: It didn’t come as a surprise to me because it was just a matter of time. I think that she tied the knot at the right time.
Madhuri: I remember when I met him (Dr Nene), I felt, ‘This is it’. Anil and I were promoting Pukar in those days.
Anil: And most questions asked to both of us were about her marriage. Maine kaha thoda Pukar ki bhi baat kar lo yaar.
Madhuri: Yeah, I remember that!

Both of you have acted in 17 films together. What was the rapport like?
Anil: There was mutual respect for each other. At least I respected her. Did you, Madhuri?
Madhuri: (Laughs!) Of course. That was mutual.
Anil: I got along with her parents and had been to their home many times. We have had meals together and also, I specifically remember the poha I had at her place. Madhuri and her family would also visit my home. There was a certain connect between all of us. Ghar mein aana jaana tha.
Madhuri: It’s a friendship that lasted even after I left from here.
Anil: Talking about 17 films, I remember while we were doing those films, we were very competitive as well.
Madhuri: Koi bhi scene mein koi bhi shot chodne ka nahi! I would be like Anil ji ne mere se accha kiya, now I have to do this better than him.
Anil: All the directors were in love with her, so I had to put in double the effort. I would try to charm my directors, but that wouldn’t work. They would take more time to light up her close-ups.
Madhuri: That’s the case with any heroine...
Anil: Aapka kucch zyaada tha! On a serious note, Madhuri really helped me with my dancing.
Madhuri: He is being very modest; he has his own style of dancing.
Anil: My dance is very Chembur...
Madhuri: Yes, that charming Chembur flavour (laughs!)
Anil: For me, dance is all about having fun and going with the feel of the music. I would go with the rhythm rather than focus on the choreography.
Madhuri: Some of the dances were sensuous. But the innocence with which Anil did it gave the whole sequence a beautiful effect.

Unlike all those films, which were about love and romance, Total Dhamaal is an out-and-out comedy where both of you play a couple that’s constantly fighting. What kind of prep went into this?
Madhuri: I had to be myself, get my absurdity right. The scenes here are very different because nobody talks like that and you have to make it look convincing. I love these kind of comedies.
Anil: In these kind of films, you have to be spontaneous and instinctive because it’s all about timing. For the first time, I am playing a Gujarati character. So, my prep was to get the dialect right, match up to Madhuri and look as fresh as her.
Madhuri: He would tell me, ‘I’m going to be there in the next schedule, you better come prepared’.
Anil: We play a couple, who has a 14-year-old child. In real life, I have a daughter (Sonam K Ahuja) who is 33. So, I had to work out everyday for this film. The idea was to look convincing.
Madhuri: Luckily, I have a son who’s 13. But I agree that the physicality has to look right.
Anil: Otherwise, people can make fun of you. Trailer mein logon ko pata chal jaata hai.

After this outing, are the two of you looking forward to doing more films together?
Anil: We are both available, writers and directors please make a note. We can come as a package deal!
Madhuri: Two for the price of one...
Anil: No, no aisa nahin hoga and I’m sure you won’t agree, too. Jokes apart, we would love to work together. It’s up to the filmmakers. We would be more than happy even if they are first-time directors, who have something interesting for us.
Madhuri: Yes, anyone who can present us differently.

Is there any film of another on-screen couple that you think the two of you would have done really well?
Anil: All of them!
Madhuri: (Laughs!) I have never really thought of it like that. When I watch a movie, I just watch it like an audience.
Anil: Actually, there are films that Madhuri has done with Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh, where I think that they were the best choice. Whether it’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Dil (1990) or Dil To Pagal Hai (1997); they are irreplaceable. They look so convincing. I can’t imagine myself there.

Madhuri, according to you, which are Anil’s best performances?
Madhuri: There are many. I loved his performances in 1942: A Love Story (1994), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990) and Eeshwar (1989). Even Woh Saat Din (1983), I couldn’t believe that an actor could perform like that in his first film. Among our films, I would say Beta (1992) and Pukar.

Anil, which ones would you choose from her repertoire?
Anil: She was brilliant in Pukar. There are many, but I was mesmerized by her performance in Hum Aapke Hain Koun as well. That, according to me, made her one of the finest leading ladies on celluloid. That film is for posterity and even after 100 years, you can pull out any close-up and it will be timeless.

Given that yours turned out to be one of the biggest hit pairings on screen in Bollywood, it’s interesting to note that your first film together actually didn’t take off....
Anil: We did one song for the film titled Bajrangi, but it didn’t take off. We then did Hifazat (1987), which did average business, though one song, Batata Vada, became very popular.
Madhuri: N Chandra was editing the song from Bajrangi, and at that time he was also planning to make Tezaab (1988). He saw me in the song and decided to cast me in Tezaab. Sometimes, things happen for the best.

Anil says that this is the best phase of his life in terms of the way he feels and the work he is doing. How would you describe this phase of your life?
Madhuri: I have enjoyed every phase of my life. This is new and there are some good roles out there. I have my family, it’s wonderful to watch my kids growing up and I am enjoying time with my husband.

Is Dr Nene looking forward to watching Total Dhamaal? Has he watched the funny trailer showing Anil and you fighting?
Madhuri: Yes and after watching the trailer, he said, ‘'Thank God, you are not like that in real life.’