BOMBAY TIMES (July 6, 2020)

Yesterday, on Guru Purnima, Madhuri Dixit Nene penned a beautiful tribute for her Masterji. In the long post, which she shared on social media, she wrote, “It’s still hard to believe that masterji is no more. Losing a friend, philosopher, and guide like her is devastating. It was difficult for me to put down my grief in words. I have spent some of the best moments of my career with her. The gurushishya bond that we shared, the assurance that she would be my mother on the sets, I will miss everything! On the occasion of Guru Purnima, I pay my tribute to her.”

Elaborating on how the veteran choreographer carved a niche for herself in the industry, Madhuri said, “Saroj Khan was a game changer in the industry. She was the rebel in the male-dominated profession. There were rough edges to her personality and I feel that’s because life has been pretty uneven and harsh to her. She has seen poverty and had to fend for her family early on. Life’s experiences had steeled her but it couldn’t dent her talent. I will miss that determined and headstrong woman!”

The actress added, “I was smitten by her dancing style. The nazakat, the aadayein, the elegance of every move, I have been besotted by that. When we started working together, we made a pact. I knew we would do a lot of songs together and so, we decided not to repeat any of the movements. She agreed that we will create hook steps that people will identify with every song. She was a genius! It’s such a loss. I will miss the other half of this pact!”

Madhuri further shared, “There’s no one like her and there won’t be another like her. She had told me once, ‘Not only your body but you should emote through your face and eyes as well. Jo dil mei hai woh aankhon mei dikhna chahiye.’ My eyes are moist for a while now. Saroj ji, I will miss everything about you. I will miss your banter on the sets. I will miss your ‘Perrfect!’”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; June 14, 2020)

Ever since she made the country’s heart collectively go ‘dhak dhak’ with her killer moves and perfect expressions in Ek Do Teen (Tezaab, 1988) more than 32 years ago, Madhuri Dixit Nene has been considered Bollywood’s ultimate dancing diva. And more than three decades later, she continues to be the benchmark for all actresses to showcase their dancing skills on screen.

In a recent chat with Bombay Times, we asked Madhuri who she considers the best dancer in India. “I have danced with the best dancer in the country — Prabhudheva (in Que Sera Sera from Pukar, 2000). I was most nervous when I danced with him, because his style is completely different from mine. He pushed me out of my comfort zone and eventually, it was great fun. I also think that Hrithik Roshan is a beautiful dancer. For me, his dance is poetry in motion. Some day, I would like to dance with him on screen,” she says.

Madhuri believes that her base in classical dance is what helped her perform to such a range of songs on screen. “I am a classical dancer and that helps, because one gains a certain sense of rhythm and expression. All you have to do is turn your classical style into Bollywood style when you dance for a film. Having said that, there has been a lot of hard work behind every song that I have done. Saroj ji (Saroj Khan, choreographer) and I made sure that each performance looked different from the other. It would have been easy for us to stick to a hook step that worked in a previous song, but we tried something new each time,” she shared.

Nowadays, we can see a lot of talent in the area of dance — in films, reality shows or on stage. What is her advice for the dancing talents of today’s generation? “The beauty of dance lies in holding back. You don’t have to jump around or overdo the movements. The intention should be to go all out, but the movements have to be understated. Look at any good dancer — be it Govinda or Hrithik Roshan, there’s a little bit of holding back. That is what makes their dance look so good,” she replied.

As told to Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 4, 2020)

The first time I faced a camera was for the auditions of Abodh. I was 16 at the time and had very short hair. But since I was trying to land the role of a village belle, I needed long locks. So, they put a heavy wig on my head, which was then plaited and set in place. Once my make-up was done, I looked the part of a gaon ki chhori.

Then, I was taken to the Rajshri Studios in Prabhadevi where, to my surprise, I was pushed in front of the camera and asked to dance with expressions. The makers wanted to see how I looked on screen and just how comfortable I was with the camera. I had thought I would be shown some steps to follow and maybe have to mouth a few dialogues, but here, I was being asked to come up with my own steps as the music played; it was strange.

Fortunately, I was used to the spontaneity from all the stage performances I had done in school and quickly got into rhythm.

I bagged the film and soon had to report for work. My co-star, Tapas Paul, was also a newbie in Bollywood and together, we excitedly explored the surroundings. I had never been on a film set before, so, I didn’t know that everything was cardboard, plywood and paper. While talking to someone, I leaned against one of the walls of my ‘house’ and to my horror my hand went through the paper-thin foundation. As I stood there, shell-shocked and embarrassed, I was informed that the walls were made of canvas. I literally broke the set on my first day and got my first lesson in filmmaking. Thankfully, everyone around was very indulgent and laughed off my naivete.

My first shot was for the song “Ghani Ghani Amraiyon”, where, as the innocent and child-like Gauri, I had to run through the fields, merrily frolicking with my friends. It sounds easy today, but for someone just entering the world of make-believe, it was not a cakewalk. I learnt about camera angles, the marks to follow, everything from scratch during the shoot. I even discovered that there’s a right way to raise your hands to a particular length when in the frame. It was all quite overwhelming but fun. Of course, I was nervous, but since the team was so supportive, I sailed through my first day without any more mishaps.

The Bollywood diva talks about her singing journey and how she is finally ready to explore her musical talent
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 31, 2020)

What has been your biggest lesson from the Coronavirus lockdown?
Recently, we shot my song, Candle, at home. Ram (Dr Sriram Nene, husband) is not a camera person, but he took online tutorials and shot it. I did my own hair and makeup, and set the lighting. Usually, you have professionals on set for these things, but now, we are doing everything on our own. The lockdown is compelling us to learn new things, which is great. It’s making us self-sufficient. It’s also giving us the opportunity to do things that we always wanted to, but never had the time. I used to be a voracious reader, but had given up that habit. Now, I am back to it.

Talking about Candle, take us through your transition from an actor-dancer to singer...
I started working when I was very young and got busy. Unlike today, when actors work in a film and take a break for two-three months, we worked two shifts, every day. And then, I got married in 1999 and had kids. So, I never got the time to devote to my singing. I got the opportunity to sing in a studio after we met Sat Bisla in Los Angeles. His company has introduced artistes and bands like Adele and Coldplay to the US. He listened to my voice and suggested that I sing. I took that seriously and trained with vocal coach Ron Anderson, who has coached singers like Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and more. That’s how my musical journey started.

How did Candle happen?
We wanted to make a song that describes how our spirit can conquer our difficulties. That is something everyone can relate to. I have been through a phase where I thought nothing was working for me. But, you have to tell yourself that you are stronger than your fears. That’s when we created this song, which speaks about hope and positivity. You could be in the worst situation, but you have to be a bright light for those around you. Candle stands for what is happening around us today.

Your video with your son Arin went viral, recently. He’s seen playing the piano, while you are singing Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. Your passion for singing was a revelation, as you never spoke about it before...
(Laughs!) I decided to sing for the video, because people have never seen me do that. I used to sing even on the TV shows that I have judged, but that was mostly in Hindi. In Bollywood, people are used to hearing playback singers sing for us. I sang a bit in Devdas (Dhaai Sham Rok Lai) and Gulaab Gang. I went to an English medium convent school. There, too, I sang only in English, so I was used to it. No one knew about my musical talent, because I never spoke about it on any public platform.

The actor says that she doesn’t want to put anybody’s life at risk and is willing to wait until things go back to normal, to start work
Sonil Dedhia (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 25, 2020)

I have been binge watching television which I have never done earlier,” says Madhuri Dixit Nene, who has been occupied with many things during the Coronavirus lockdown. “I am doing my riyaaz which usually, I don’t have the time for. I managed to finish a book (Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime) after a long time. I have been cooking and even practising with my online dance class where I was encouraging my fans to learn new steps and send me their videos, and in the process, keep their mind occupied. I have been really busy. The idea is to remain positive during this tough phase that we all are going through,” she shares.

Apart from sticking to her fitness regime and her dance sessions, the actor is happy to be with her family and misses being on the sets, “I like the fact that we are spending more time together. I recently celebrated my birthday and it was nice to have my mother, husband and my kids by my side for the entire day. I have been talking to my sons, getting to know what is going on with them. I feel this togetherness is really good. At the same time, I miss my craft and the characters that I play. But I don’t want to be working by putting anyone’s life at risk, so I wouldn’t mind waiting to star work until things get better,” she says.

The actor has added one more feather to her cap as she makes her debut as a professional singer with her recently released song, “Singing is an extension of who I am. I thought this is another avenue for me to emote. I would sing in English during my school days. However, I was never able to pursue it as I got busy with my acting career and later, with my family,” says the actor who trained with Ron Anderson, a voice coach who has worked with people like Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Whitney Huston, among others.

Speaking about the song, Dixit adds, “I wanted the song to be about how human spirit can rise above all hardships and struggle and burn like fire. It resonated with everyone’s life as we all go through situations where we feel hopeless and that’s when you reach and ignite your soul and be like the flame that burns bright. Today, more than ever, when we are going through an unprecedented time where people are facing so many hardships and uncertainty, I thought this would be a great time to release the song as it would bring some positivity into the world.”

Madhuri Dixit, has recorded a song in English, an ode to Coronavirus warriors
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 25, 2020)

Madhuri Dixit’s decision to cut her first single may have come as a surprise to husband Sriram Nene, sons Arin and Ryan and her fans, but her mother Snehlata and sisters, Rupa and Bharati, who had seen her sing on stage all through school, didn’t bat an eyelid when she confided in them. “Mom is a trained Hindustani classical singer and has been a huge influence. And because I was always into dance, music was a constant in my life, too,” she points out, admitting that life came in the way of her pursuing singing earlier. “I entered the industry when I was just 16. By the time I turned 19, I had no time for anything but work. When I was finally free, I got married and the kids followed.”

It’s not just the singing, many are shocked that she’s singing in English. But as she reasons, anyone who has lived in Mumbai is comfortable speaking in not just English, but Hindi and Marathi, too. “I grew up speaking Marathi at home, Hindi with friends and English in school,” she relays.

The brainwave to sing professionally came to the actress a few years ago, when A&R’s Sat Bisla commended her voice and encouraged her to sing. “I took his advice and trained with voice coach Ron Anderson, who has helped singers like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande,” she reveals. Interestingly, the song “Candle”, which is about burning bright in the face of a storm, written by Narinder Singh and Michael Ochs, was recorded in Los Angeles long before the pandemic had brought the world to a standstill. “It’s very relevant now with all of us fighting the virus by staying strong. But even back then, I could relate to it, because as an actress I have faced seemingly insurmountable situations like everyone else. You can’t get bogged down by them; you have to shine bright,” she asserts.

During the lockdown, Madhuri has been cooking, spending time with their dog, Carmelo, practicing and teaching dance as a part of her initiative. “It’s a great time to be together as a family, which was difficult when everyone went to work and school,” avers the actress, who rang in her 53rd birthday on May 15. “We baked a keto cake and indulged in tomfoolery. My sons are both teenagers now and not into gifts.” But with collages, sketches and montages, her fans made up for the lack of presents, prompting Madhuri to come up with the single as a token of gratitude and hope in these difficult times.

The video for the single, dedicated to Coronavirus warriors, was shot in Madhuri’s home. “Luckily, we had gifted Ram (husband) a professional camera on his birthday in February. A lot of online videos later, he got the setting right and shot the video. I had lights for my photoshoots at home and a textured glass pane provided the perfect backdrop. Of course, I did my own makeup,” she concludes with a laugh.

Madhuri Dixit opens up on the Kalank debacle, dismisses talks about a biopic on her, says focus on inspiring real life success stories
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 29, 2019)

This year has been a mixed bag for Madhuri Dixit. While Indra Kumar’s madcap comedy, Total Dhamaal, opened in February to an overwhelming response, Karan Johar’s period drama, Kalank, which followed soon after was a crashing disappointment. But the actress remains blissfully unfazed, reasoning that after over three decades in showbiz, such things don’t matter. “I’ve been around for far too long to be either disappointed or elated by the box-office result of a film. We gave it our best, but sometimes things don’t work, and you just move on,” she shrugs nonchalantly.

Madhuri hasn’t announced new films but buzz is, she features in Tahira Kashyap’s debut directorial. “Not just this film, there are also rumours that someone is making a biopic on me. I think it’s too early for a biopic, I have a lot more to achieve,” she laughs.

She also clears speculations about teaming up with her Tezaab director, N Chandra. “He hasn’t approached me yet but maybe there is something on his mind,” she muses. While speaking to Mirror, the filmmaker had revealed that he had bumped into Madhuri on the set of Total Dhamaal and was working on a script with her in mind.

Meanwhile, the actress is entering the music space and is scheduled to shoot a video for her debut album. “I do have an album in English that I plan to drop soon. We’re working towards releasing it this year but still planning the shoot. Let’s see how that works out,” she smiles.

The smile broadens when quizzed about her boys, 16-year-old Arin and 14-year-old Raayan, and whether they are showing any interest in acting or dance. “Not in acting yet, no, but the older one has begun to show interest in dance. They have learnt the piano and the tabla, so they do have music in their lives,” she says.

The actress cherishes her life beyond the movies and whenever free, makes it a point to spend time with her kids. “They need me now and I want to impart the values my parents passed on. When we were growing up, we didn’t have things, so were more motivated to achieve. But how do you inspire those who have everything and don’t want more? It’s important to keep encouraging them to be achievers,” she avers.

The actress is gearing up to make her comeback on TV with the second season of her reality show Dance Deewane. She avers that the USP of the show are the ‘third generation’ contestants who are 35 and above. “The success of the first season has inspired many to compete. We have some interesting backstories of the contestants and would like to discover another Madhuri Dixit and Prabhudheva,” she says.

Does she watch TV? “I enjoy singing shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Rising Star. Recently we had an Indian team (Kings United India) win World of Dance. These are kids from Nalasopara. Such stories inspire us to give a platform to real talent,” she signs off.

Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; April 17, 2019)

Before we introduce ourselves during this conference call, Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Saroj Khan slip in at least a minute-long exchange of assorted greetings. Khan heaps praise on the way Dixit's dance track from Kalank, Tabah Ho Gaye - choreographed by Khan - has turned out. She then goes on to express gratitude for speaking well of her in subsequent interviews.

Ever so often, the duo punctuates the conversation that edges on memories of their time spent together, to express love for one another. "Madhuri is like my shadow," Khan says at one point when talking about how closely the actor would study her, before taking to the camera. "What I love about Saroj ji is that she knows which movement will look good on an actor," Dixit responds.

Easily among the lot of stars who've defined the way the world perceives Bollywood dance, Dixit gives the art a prominence that goes beyond cinematic endeavours. Her recently launched app, Dance With Madhuri, aims to also promote a healthy lifestyle.

"People still ask me how I stay fit, and look good. I always say, dance is the best thing one can do for yourself," says Dixit, who has trained in Kathak since childhood. "You feel good about yourself while burning calories. Happiness plays a big role in [determining] how you look, and feel. Also, when you dance to new songs, you don't get bored. It's not like running on a treadmill for 45 minutes. Finally, one can work the entire body with this cardiovascular form."

Well aware that a cardiovascular component isn't sufficient to meet the physical requirements of women, Dixit says incorporating conditioning classes like pilates, and strengthening sessions of weight training, are crucial to restore muscle mass. "But the cardio component can be met through dance. On our app, we have a vertical called dancercise, which includes the hook steps of my songs put together to create an exercise routine. We also discuss Tabata [HIIT format], and different workouts here. When strapped with a heart-rate monitor, I've been able to burn 300 calories in 20 minutes with it."

While an additional fitness routine is almost an essential for aspiring dancers today, Khan reveals that the long hours of practice put into ensuring that every artiste was in sync with the other, went a long way in keeping her dancers in shape. "They would rehearse for eight hours a day. That's more than [the hours dedicated to] exercise, usually. But, to reap physical benefits, one should do it regularly. You must devote at least an hour to dance."

Tracing their association to several years ago, Dixit reveals that Khan enabled her, a stage performer, understand how to adjust to cameras. "She had no idea how to dance before the camera. In Kathak, we don't shake our hips, like we do in Bollywood. So, she had to learn hip movements. She was like a baby, learning the [ropes]," Khan says.

It was Tezaab's (1988) Ek Do Teen, that made Dixit understand what a Bollywood track should look like. "It was the first time we saw such a crowd," Khan recalls, as Dixit narrates, "They had filled up Mehboob studios with [fans who were stationed outside]. That was the first time that the crowd participated in a dance like that. I recall, in one of the shots, one person got excited, removed his shirt and flung it. And the director [N Chandra] noticed it and said, 'Let's do it'."



Blast From The Past

The dance that wasn't?
Reuniting after 18 years for Abhishek Varman's Kalank, Khan recalls that the director was insistent on not making Dixit "dance too much" on the song. "But the song demanded a dance. So I was divided." Well aware that viewers would expect her to dance, Dixit says that the challenge for Khan and her lay in finding the balance between too much and too little movement. "My character is a recluse. So, we had to hold back, a lot."

Doing justice to raunchy lyrics
Khan reveals that Dixit-starrer Beta's track, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga was nearly stuck at the censors owing to its choreography. "But, I can't [make her] shake the hips and say Dhak Dhak. I have to show movements of the bust, right? A song will not look vulgar if the artiste, who performs the movement, [is careful]. Madhuri always made her dances look sexy, not [vulgar]. Also, for a song like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, I didn't use hand movements to prevent it from [looking inappropriate]. We used dupattas instead." Dixit reveals that the camera angle too plays a vital role in defining how apt a song looks.

On their most memorable number
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga emerges a unanimous choice for Khan and Dixit when recounting their most memorable (and toughest) song. "We had not rehearsed for it; it is among the most spontaneous songs we've done. Initially, the set was too colourful. Our cinematographer Baba Azmi didn't like it. He said, 'Sab hata do'. Finally, they kept only earthy tones. He played with the lighting, the jaalis. We had to make it look sensual, but couldn't go overboard while doing so, given the character I played," Dixit recalls.

Madhuri Dixit on why the actor is so dear to her
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 13, 2019)

At a recent award show you paid a tribute to Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (HAHK). which completes 25 years in August. What are your memories of Nisha?
(Smiling) So many, we were like a family, always sitting together on the set. I miss the late Laxmikant Berde and Raj babu (Raj Kumar Barjatya, producer) whom we lost recently. Once he asked me why I wasn’t eating and when I told him that the food was too oily, he instructed the caterers to cook all the food in ghee from the next day. During Abodh, they learnt that I love chocolates and I’d get one every day. That continued during HAHK!

Can HAHK! be remade? Indra Kumar also has plans for a Dil sequel...
As far as HAHK! goes, I don’t know where they’d pick the story from or how they’d adapt it. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet. Even Indu ji (Indra Kumar) hasn’t discussed Dil 2 with me.

Your last film with Indra Kumar, Total Dhamaal, did well. More films in the pipeline?
Dhamaal is a popular franchise but what also worked for it this time was Anil ji (Anil Kapoor), Indu ji and my reunion after Beta. Anil ji and I too were working together 19 years after Pukar. It’s been years since Ajay (Devgn) and I collaborated as well. I’m looking for interesting scripts, backed by a good studio and marketed well. All this is a must.

Your next, Kalank, reunites Sanjay Dutt and you after over two decades. And since the trailer launch you have been addressing each other as ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’.
(Laughs) We enjoy pulling each other’s leg. We both have kids now and discuss their education. It’s been great working with him again.

Five years after Gulaab Gang, Saroj Khan has choreographed you in a mujra for Kalank...
As soon as I heard the song, “Tabaah Ho Gaye” I knew it needed Saroj ji as only she can bring certain emotions to the fore. We have a history of songs and a strong empathetic bond, besides being devoted to dance in a similar way. Remo (D’souza choreographer-filmmaker) has also worked on it, I think this is the first time two choreographers have collaborated on a song.

In an interview to Mirror recently Saroj Khan confided that she’d like to choreograph more often following which Salman Khan has promised to work with her...
That was very sweet of Salman. Saroj ji is teaching on my dance app as well. In fact, we’ve taught together a couple of times. Ups and downs come in everyone’s life, I’m sure she will come out of this too with flying colours.

Many actresses have come out with singles, when are you following them?
I’ve cut an English album but am yet to shoot the songs. Hopefully this year we will get that done.

Kalank came your way after the untimely demise of Sridevi who was earlier supposed to play Bahaar Begum. Did you accept the film for an emotional reason?
Yes, Karan (producer Karan Johar) is a friend and has also been my cojudge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa for the longest time. When he came to me with the script, I accepted immediately, before I’d even read the script.

Comparisons with Chandramukhi from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas are being drawn…
Given the lavishly-mounted visuals and the period setting that was expected. But once they see the film, they’ll know that Bahaar Begum is very different from Chandramukhi who was more giving and all heart. Sometimes you take decisions that not only affect you, but also the people around you and when you realise this, it causes a lot of angst. That’s Bahaar Begum for you.

Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt idolise you…
(Smiles fondly) I’ve seen Varun as a child when we were filming his dad’s (director David Dhawan) Yaraana in Switzerland. He couldn’t sit in one place for long and was always running around. I would tell him to dance and give him marks to keep him occupied. He always wants to do the best and is a marketing whiz. There are so many ideas buzzing in his head all the time.

And Alia?
She’s a hardworking girl and I was pleasantly surprised to see her dancing on the set. She confided she’d gone on my dance app to take a few lessons from Maharaj ji (Birju Maharaj).

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 9, 2019)

She stormed onto the silver screen with her first commercially successful film, Tezaab (1988). Thirty-one years later, Madhuri Dixit-Nene’s infectious smile still makes people go dhak-dhak, and a million hearts go aflutter every time she hits the dance floor. In a free-wheeling chat with BT, the powerhouse performer, who will soon be seen in Abhishek Varman’s Kalank, talks about working with the younger generation, teaming up with former coactor Sanjay Dutt in the upcoming period drama, and staying relevant even after so many years of being in the industry. Excerpts...

You are one of the few actresses from your generation, who’s working with youngsters. Do you find their school of acting any different from yours?
I don’t think there is any difference in terms of the acting techniques. All of us are spontaneous actors, whether it’s Varun (Dhawan), Alia (Bhatt) or me. I have never been someone who lives with the role. I switch on and off along with the camera. But, today, actors are much more knowledgeable than we were when we had started out. I wasn’t from the industry, and was completely unaware of how things worked here. But the basic spirit is the same with all of us — wanting to do good work and giving our best. I have more scenes with Alia and Varun than with Aditya (Roy Kapur) and Sonakshi (Sinha) in Kalank. All of them ar such good actors; full of life and energy. It was wonderful working with them, as there was a lot of exchange of notes. I think the way they approach their roles is very real, yet nuanced.

At a recent event, Alia mentioned that she had to pinch herself a few times to believe that she was facing the camera with you. She also said that there were moments when she would zone out and just stare at you. Were you aware of that?
(Smiles)... I am usually very normal on the set, just like Alia. I didn’t really know her before we started working on this film. I have seen her movies, Highway (2014) being her best. She is spontaneous, professional and comes to the set with no baggage. I like that attitude. That’s how I was. As far as dancing is concerned, people are like ‘Oh! They didn’t dance together’. But then, we have to follow the script. At that point, it was not possible for us to dance together to that song. I think she has done a very nice job, especially for someone who hasn’t learnt classical dancing. She was so graceful that it was me who was admiring her.

In the current day, this is your second multi starrer after Total Dhamaal. Are you enjoying being one of the actors of an ensemble than being the solo heroine like you were in your earlier days? In this case, the pressure of the film’s success is also divided...
That’s always the case with multi-starrers, because everything doesn’t rest on your shoulders. The same goes for Kalank. When I heard its script, I knew that it is a love story between the youngsters. But there are so many other elements in the film, which I am not at liberty to reveal yet. There is a lot more to look forward to in the story.

The role of Bahaar Begum was originally offered to Sridevi. After coming on board, you mentioned that it was quite tough to replace her. The first day of the shoot must have been emotional...
Of course. When I walked in, I knew this was the role that she was going to play and now, I was doing it. What happened was very tragic and sudden. Even today, it’s unbelievable. In that sense, it was very emotional. It was more on a personal level that I felt all these things when I started shooting for the film. We remembered her on the set all the time. But then, of course, when the shot is on, you have to block all that out and play the part.

You are reuniting with Sanjay Dutt on screen after 21 years. Both of you have given hits together like Saajan (1991) Khalnayak (1993). Do you feel any pressure to recreate the magic?
No. We just followed our parts according to the script. We cannot think, ‘Oh! We have to recreate the magic’. What we have to do is create the magic that is in the script. The first scene we did together was quite dramatic, but it went off well. It’s always great to work with actors you have worked with before because there is a rapport. It was seamless.

He kept calling you ma’am at the trailer launch of the film?
Yes, that’s a joke now. He calls me ma’am and I call him sir (laughs!)



With films like Bucket List (2018 Marathi film), Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang (2014),you are trying to push the envelope and play parts, which have surprised the audience because they have seen you in never-seen-before avatars. Often actors your generation don’t get parts that suit their age...
All the roles I did suited me. For instance, in Gulaab Gang, I played the age I was supposed to or, for that matter, even in Dedh Ishqiya. Total Dhamaal was total dhamaal. It was a typical commercial film laced with comedy and was so much fun. Now, whether a film does well or not is governed by luck and other things. When you take up a script, you give it your all. You want to do your best, but what happens finally once the audience sees it, is not in your hands.

Is it disheartening that we don’t have as many author-backed roles for senior actresses in Indian cinema unlike Hollywood, where older actresses are bagging such amazing roles...
I think that’s a woe everywhere, whether it’s Hollywood or Indian cinema. Yes, actors like Meryl Streep gets to play meaty roles, Helen Mirren gets to play different characters in Hollywood. I think that will happen in India too, eventually. People loved me in Total Dhamaal and that kind of proves that age is just a number, if the film and the role are handled well. Sometimes, even if you perform well and the script is good, other things don’t fall into place. How the film is released, what it is competing with, did you get the right slot to come in... all this matters a lot. Now that I am a producer, I understand these dynamics.

The fact that heroes have a longer shelf life, while actresses don’t enjoy that kind of longevity is often a topic of debate...
Well, it’s because of the way people look at a woman. They feel that when she is of a certain age, it’s over for her, but that’s not the case. Every generation is going to be different. I see a lot of changes in the industry today. When I was doing Tezaab, besides my female co-actors, I was the only woman on the set. Everyone else, including the make-up person, the cameraperson, the light people and the assistant directors were men. But now, when I walk into a set, I see women everywhere. That’s empowering. There is a lot of hope because there are so many female directors coming forward and winning awards, like Meghna Gulzar or Zoya Akhtar, who make such lovely films that are not necessarily female-oriented. I see a lot of hope and change in the industry and it’s all for the better. There will be more roles in future for everyone.

Was it difficult to get a foothold when you returned to India from the US, where you had shifted base to post marriage? Did you have to put in an extra effort to stay relevant after so many years?
I got so much love when I came back. Relevance depends on the kind of roles you choose. I always chose to do something different. Dedh Ishqiya was kind of tongue-in-cheek and Gulaab Gang was an action film. I was asked how I could do action at this age. Do they ask such questions to heroes — in fact, some of them, who are older than me, are doing action to this day. I want to break these perceptions. In Total Dhamaal, I did everything, including dance, and people accepted me and loved my performance and my comedy in the film. I think one has to keep breaking stereotypes to stay relevant.

Now that your sons (Arin and Raayan) are teenagers, they must be having an opinion about the kind of cinema you have been associated with? Has either of them shown interest in following your footsteps?
(Smiles) I am their mother at home. I don’t think they see me any different from that. Of course, when they go out with me, it’s a different thing and they go like, ‘Oh! mom, you are so cool’. There was this one time when they saw me dance with Prabhu Dheva and were very impressed. My younger son has more of a scientist-like mindset. The older one loves music and is producing his own stuff. He loves drama and stage and watches it from a critical point of view. I recently saw him perform in school and was quite impressed. Today’s generation thinks a lot and knows a lot. I am surprised that my sons discuss scripts with me now. I did not think so much about scripts when I started off. They talk to me about why a scene is done this way, why was it shot that way and what is continuity. Having said that, my sons are just growing up, so, let’s see what they finally end up doing. Children are like water; they keep changing directions and finding themselves.

Did you ever think of pursuing a career in Hollywood, given that you were living In America for so many years?
Well, I moved to the US with a different plan for myself. I got married and wanted to have a family. Though I did get offer for a part in The West Wing, I was already pregnant by then. Even there, a lot of diversity is seen now with the likes of Hasan Minhaj, Aziz Ansari and Priyanka Chopra creating a niche for themselves. We have actors of Indian origin there, who are not stereotyped anymore.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene's husband and co-producer Sriram Nene explains why teaming up with his wife was the perfect move for their new venture, 15 August
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 31, 2019)

Almost two decades after they tied the knot, Madhuri Dixit and Sriram Nene felt like they were doing a bridal photo shoot yet again. The photographer kept telling them how to pose, stand closer and look at each other. Amused, the couple could not help but giggle. Dixit's trademark gorgeous smile lit up the room at a Bandra hotel. The duo is launching their first film production, 15 August, under their banner, RnM Moving Pictures. The slice-of-life Marathi film dropped on Netflix, on Friday.

Dixit has been facing the camera and fielding questions for years but for hubby dearest it's new. So, she lets him do most of the talking and refrains from saying anything, except when asked a question. And Nene has lots to say. Is this new phase as doctor-turned-filmmaker exciting or exhausting? "It is an exciting learning experience," he says in his Yankee accent. "You pour your heart into something and share it with the world, it's gratifying." Before he married Dixit, he barely watched Indian films and did not know Hindi. "Abhi sabh samajhta hoon," he laughs. After relocating from the US, the actor says, "He now understands and can speak a bit."

Nene admits that from not watching movies to being a filmmaker has been quite a journey, "but every summer we came to Dadar to live with relatives, so there was that exposure to the Mumbai milieu. Life is all about constantly learning something new. I still, however, remain a doctor. We wanted to raise the bar by doing something new."

When they floated the production house, each of them designated clear-cut roles to themselves. "She looks after the creative side. While I am in charge of the production and financial aspects, more like a company's CEO," says Nene. "She has over 35 years experience in the movie business," he adds. So who better than her to team up with? He keeps referring to his actor wife with 35 plus years in the business. "He is making me sound like a really old veteran," smiles Dixit.

They preferred to debut as producers of a Marathi film "because there is some brilliant talent and amazing writers with novel concepts," say the duo. It was also a way of going back to their roots. They are Konkanastha Brahmins. Says Nene, "My kuldeva is Alibaug. I still have relatives in Diveagar, which is about a five-hour drive from Mumbai. They own plantations there, that's a life I would like to live someday." Adds Dixit, "My mother is from Ratnagiri." A while back, they had taken their kids [Arin and Ryan] to the Konkan to familiarise themselves with the places their forefathers came from.

The couple chose to release 15 August digitally rather than in theatres due to the mind-boggling reach of the digital platform. Nene has done his math when he informs that Marathi films release in barely 400 screens out of the 9,000 in the country. "Just as we watch Spanish and Italian films, we want the world to catch up on Marathi cinema as well." Adds Dixit, "The script of 15 August was relatable. It is set in a chawl in Mumbai. I had relatives who lived in one, so it was a familiar culture."

For our first production, we needed something we could understand. There were so many layers to the script. Swapnaneel Jaykar wields the directorial baton for 15 August, which stars Adinath Kothare, Rahul Pethe and Mrinmayee Kulkarni.

"We stacked the cards in our favour by picking a talented and award-winning cast and crew. They made our task easier; we had to empower them. We are proud that they all came together to show their love and passion for the craft," points out Nene who considers it a great time for movie makers as there are several platforms to showcase your projects.

As a cardiovascular surgeon, Nene, who runs a health portal, says, "I cured hearts, now I hope to spread happiness by entertaining people and cure many more hearts." Will acting be the next step for Nene? "I already act many roles everyday taking care of the kids, the pet dog," so when offered, he might think about it after having featured in a commercial with his star wife. Dixit who was last seen in Total Dhamaal has Kalank lined up for release. "Things are happening back-to-back, so I am looking for a breather."