Actor Madhoo Shah made her Bollywood debut with Phool Aur Kaante (1991). The film, which completes 30 years of its release today, happened to her without audition. “They had another girl signed up initially. When Kuku Kohli (director) reached out to me, the film was already halfway through. I was playing carrom board with my brother when the phone rang. The next thing I knew, I had already accepted the film,” she shares.

While the film may have set the ticket counters ringing upon release , the 52-year-old actor feels it didn’t make her “an overnight sensation”. She explains, “I was appreciated, but I didn’t become a super success. Yes, I was put in the A-listers bracket, but my reputation as a good actor was built gradually.”

Shah reveals not being “completely happy” with herself after watching the film: “I was very critical about myself. Phool Aur Kaante was the first of its kind. It had a lot of action and I was unsure about it. I thought the critics would have a field day with me. I didn’t want to read the news or meet anybody.”

What followed three days after release changed everything for Shah: “People recognized me at the traffic signals. That’s when I knew the film hit its mark.”

She did Roja (1992) the next year, which earned love from critics and audiences alike. Looking back at her journey, Shah says, “I’m happy with the things that came my way. I define success as a progressive improvement. I’m so blessed to have this life.”