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.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene says she is yearning to resume work on Karan Johar-backed Netflix series
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; May 29, 2020)

Madhuri Dixit-Nene is itching to return to the hustle and bustle of a set, and with good reason. The Coronavirus lockdown was announced barely a week into the shoot of her maiden web series, the yet-untitled Netflix drama produced by Karan Johar. The two are joining forces to tell the story of a superstar who vanishes without a trace. "Karan is one of the most creative people I have come across. He has a hold on various aspects of filmmaking, and hence, makes an actor's job simpler. He constantly reinvents himself," says the actor, thrilled to reunite with him after Kalank (2019).

Even though she may have bided her time before making her acting debut in digital entertainment, Dixit argues that she understood the potential of the web world early on. "When I started Dance With Madhuri [dance tutorials] online, people were apprehensive and [wondered] how it will pan out. But Sriram [husband] and I were clear that we wanted to do it. That was an experiment we did years ago because we believed in the medium."

Celebrated for her acting and dancing, Dixit proved she is a talented singer with the release of her single, Candle. Ask her if she was nervous about going behind the mic, and she says, "There was no hesitation. Many people are scared of experimenting, but I always loved singing. I wanted to do something that spreads hope in the current scenario."

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.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; October 10, 2019)

In what was a natural progression for her 30-year-long career in films, Madhuri Dixit-Nene turned producer earlier this year with the Netflix original, 15 August. Now, the actor-producer — a champion of regional cinema — has taken her second Marathi production, Panchak, on floors. Offering a comedic take on taboos, the film, she says, holds a mirror up to society's superstitious practices.

"The film revolves around a family, their beliefs and superstitions, which lead to hilarious situations. It is a family comedy, and we hope it will tickle the funny bone," says Dixit, who has reunited with Marathi actor-director Adinath Kothare for the project.

Dr Sriram Nene adds that the slice-of-life film resonated with both, Dixit and him, leading them to throw their weight behind the project. "Superstitions can drive us to unreasonable fear. We want to depict that through the film while providing a dose of humour."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; June 6, 2019)

While Madhuri Dixit has refuted rumours of a biopic being made on her, we hear that a TV show has been inspired by the diva’s romance with her hubby, Dr Sriram Nene. The show titled Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum is a love story between two people who come from completely different worlds — one is an actress and the other a surgeon — essayed by Dipika Kakar and Karan V Grover. A source close to the production reveals that the saga is based on Madhuri and Sriram’s courtship period where the former would be busy with her acting schedule and the latter away with his commitments as a surgeon.

The series will depict the struggles it took to keep the romance alive. It’s common knowledge that the Dhak Dhak girl had to give up her successful career and settle in the US with her husband. Now, with the actress’ second innings in the industry, Sriram has put his career in the States to rest and settled in India for his wife. The show will underline how they dealt with the busy lifestyles, yet made time for courtship. In fact, a promo shows the two going on their first date where Dipika is interrupted by her fans for a photo and autograph while later, Karan is called in for surgery! “It’s a first date that never happened, much like in Madhuri and Sriram’s life,” adds the insider.  The show also marks the debut of Saif Ali Khan on the small screen, as the narrator of the story.

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."

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.’

Backed by Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit says sitcom is not a biopic but 'an amalgamation of experiences'
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; February 13, 2019)

The coming together of Bollywood's two formidable leading ladies - Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Priyanka Chopra - for a show based on the former's life evoked much interest over the past year. The Chopra-backed offering, reportedly picked up by ABC Studios, will mark Dixit's international debut.

Point out how the series has yet to go on floors, and Dixit assures that it is developing at a steady pace. "Television works in a different way in the West. They select a script and commission it only if they want to start it in that particular season. The channel heads have the concept and are mulling over it. Meanwhile, we are writing the script. Once they are ready to roll, we will be too," she says.

Although the show is inspired by the time she spent in the US after tying the knot with Dr Sriram Nene, she insists it is not a biopic. "It's not my life story as that will be too boring," she laughs.

The actor adds that writer Sri Rao, who is penning the series, has tried to reflect the inherent humour in the situation. "We are offering a comic take on how a Bollywood actor settles down in the American suburbs. The series will be an amalgamation of my experiences, a superstar whose world changes once she migrates to another country where nobody knows her."

Madhuri Dixit on women, ambition, marriage, and the untimely death of Sridevi
Suman Sharma (TIMES LIFE; July 29, 2018)

There’s something overpowering, overwhelming about Madhuri Dixit. She’s constantly on the bounce, willing to push her limits, willing to try something new. We last saw her on screen in 2014 in Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang. Currently all set to make her debut in the Marathi film industry with Bucket List.

‘BUCKET LIST KEEPS CHANGING’
You wonder whether she keeps a bucket list in real life too. She laughs at that and answers in the affirmative. “My bucket list keeps changing and as things get ticked off, I add new things to it. I love challenges and I try different things,” she says. The primary thing Madhuri has learnt over the years is to be her own person.

She reflects you must pursue your wishes, your desires and respond to your motivations. She says that women get so involved in bringing up children that they feel a sense of loss when the children grow up and don’t need them as much as they did earlier. One way to counter that emptiness is to tend to your own pursuits. “Women should pursue some hobbies, something that they do just for themselves. When you have an identity, then people respect you. Or else you could be taken for granted,” she reasons.

‘RAM IS SO SUPPORTIVE’
Marriage has worked well for her. She says she has discovered herself after marriage. She was only chasing the arclights before but life with Dr Sriram Nene has been an adventure. She loves Ram for being open minded and encouraging. “Ram is so supportive. If I say today I’m gonna be late, he will do everything for the kids. In him, I have a strong support system. That’s why I can do all these things. My mother-in-law, my father-in-law, my mother, they all help me,” she says. Her mother, Snehlata Dixit, has been her inspiration. She reminisces that when she did Abodh (1984), she was thin and would often get criticised for it. That would leave her upset. “But thanks to my mother’s advice, I learnt to turn a deaf ear to that and just be myself,” she smiles.

The industry has changed since her heyday. Prakash Jha’s Mrityudand (1997) was the first film where she came across a bound script. Till then she mostly worked in projects where the story was in the director’s mind and the scenes were written on the sets. These days the writing is better, the roles are better, the pay is better… and so are the expectations, she says.

‘JANHVI’S GESTURE WAS SWEET’
The talk veers to her other projects. She’s doing Kalank, a role offered to her after Sridevi’s untimely death. They were touted to be rivals during the ’90s but Madhuri says they were always cordial towards each other. “I won’t say Sridevi and I were the best of friends. But we held each other in respect. Her passing away is sad, very unfortunate...” she sighs. After a pause she adds, “Because she was so young. It was too early to go and so suddenly. I still cannot believe that this happened.”

When the makers approached her, she was a bit hesitant. “To step into her role was tough… sometimes the thought overwhelms me,” she confides. She was touched by Janhvi Kapoor’s warm gesture of tweeting about her doing the film. “Janhvi was sweet. She tweeted about it and she conveyed her best wishes,” she smiles.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 15, 2018)

After tying the knot, you lived in Denver for 10 years before moving base to Mumbai in 2011. Do you miss your life there?
Mumbai is like my mayka while the US was my sasural. While in Denver, my focus was the family. My kids were the centre of my universe there, and will always be. I enjoyed my time in the US because raising a family was always a dream and while there I could live my life without interference or speculation. Now, I’m back in India and going with the flow. I have to add here that I love Mumbai. It’s my home, I’ve grown up here.

You’ve joined hands with Priyanka Chopra for a sitcom inspired by your life in the US for a leading international network. What’s the update on that?
TV is a funny medium, it takes time for things to happen. The script is being developed, the rest is work in progress. Let’s see where it goes.

Next year, on October 17, you and Dr Sriram Nene celebrate your 20th anniversary. How has the journey been?
(Laughs) It seems short, the years have gone like a breeze. There’s great love and respect, and we try to enjoy every moment of our life. As long as you understand each other, the journey is easy.

You made your Bollywood debut with Abodh in 1984. What made you choose to do a Marathi film after 30 years in the industry?
Language is not a barrier as long as the content is strong. When I was offered Bucket List, I loved the subject and I’ve really wanted to do a Marathi film for a while now. It’s a story of an aam woman, in fact, it could well be a man too, who’s always trying to be perfect. In the process she forgets to nurture her own self. So, she gets this bucket list and while trying to complete it, finds herself and her voice, in turn affecting those around her and their perspective towards her. It’s a very beautiful film, simply stated.

How would you reflect on your own journey today as a wife, mother and homemaker?
I’m also a daughter and a daughter-in-law, and all these different roles are basically about pleasing people and in the process you often forget to think about yourself. I really identified with the character, I am sure every woman will. But I have to confess that when it comes to my kids, I drop everything and will do whatever needs to be done. (Smiles) That’s what I have discovered about myself.

What are the top five things on your bucket list?
I always wanted to produce a movie, which I am doing now, it is a Marathi film called 15th August and should release in that month this year but it’s not about patriotism. It’s a family entertainer. Do you remember the surfing dude from an old commercial of a male grooming product? I also wanted to stand on that surfing board one day and see how it feels. I got the opportunity recently when we went to Kovalam and enrolled my sons in a surfing school. I was able to hold my balance for only a few seconds but that was enough to go “Yay!” My list just keeps growing because the minute I overcome a challenge I have to find another one.

Are Rayaan and Arin showing an interest in filmmaking or medicine?
I don’t know, kids today have so much exposure and options to pick from. My sons love music, they play piano and tabla. But I want them to choose their own path without pushing them in a particular direction. They should be passionate about what they are doing, only then will they excel at it.

You’re reuniting with Anil Kapoor for Total Dhamaal 18 years after Rajkumar Santoshi’s 2000 espionage drama Pukar. How has it been so far?
It’s terrific working with Anil after so long. He has the same energy and enthusiasm, and the Total Dhamaal set is a crazy one with Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Jaaved Jaaferi and Sanjay Mishra. It’s a laugh fest all the way as we reminisce about the good old days. I’m reuniting with Indra Kumar too with whom Anil and I did Beta, so there are a lot of memories that came back during the shoot.

Many yesteryear chartbusters, including your “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab and Thanedaar’s “Tamma Tamma” were recreated for Baaghi 2 and Badrinath Ki Dulhania respectively. What do you think about these remixes?
It’s great, bringing the best of the past to the new generation. In fact, I am recreating a song myself, “Paisa Yeh Paisa” from Subhash Ji’s (Subhash Ghai) Karz for Total Dhamaal. The team has done a great job with it.

You bring in your 51st birthday today. What is the plan?
(Laughs) What do you think I’ll be doing? Promoting Bucket List, of course! I will be working on my birthday, let’s see if I can steal some time to go out for a dinner or we’ll celebrate on a day that I’m free.

Madhuri with Adinath Kothare, Mrunmayee Deshpande and Rahul Pethe on the set

The slice-of-life Marathi fi lm kicked off at a chawl in Mumbai’s western suburb of Malad
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 9, 2018)

Madhuri Dixit points out that filmmaking is “the ultimate team sport” as she turns producer with a slice-of-life Marathi comedy, 15th August. “The film will make you realise that freedom is a gift only you can give yourself,” the Dhak Dhak girl says, adding that the film’s unit is packed with some of the best talents from both the Hindi and Marathi film industries

Ventilator actor Rahul Pethe and Natasamrat star, Mrunmayee Deshpande, play protagonists in the film, which has been written by Mumbai Meri Jaan and Tendulkar Not Out writer, Yogesh Vinayak Joshi. The film also features actor-producer, Adinath Kothare.

The film rolled at a chawl in Malad on February 24, with Madhuri, her husband Dr Sriram Nene and the actor’s 85-year-old-mother, Snehlata, giving the clap. The cast and crew also indulged in a small pre-holi celebration on set. The film will be shot entirely in Mumbai at real locations in a start-to-finish schedule. “After being in front of the camera for more than thirty years, it feels like a privilege to be donning the producer’s hat for the first time. I wholeheartedly believe in our talented director, Swapnaneel Jayakar, (Tendulkar Not Out) who is now leading an equally talented cast. Mrunmayee and Rahul are both fantastic actors,” Madhuri told Mirror.

Earlier this year, the 50-year-old-actress wrapped up her first acting stint in a Marathi film with Tejas Deoskar’s Bucket List, which also reunites her with her Hum Aapke Hai Koun co-star, Renuka Shahane. The film has been shot across Mumbai, Pune, Alibaug and Langkawi, and follows Madhuri’s characters going through different phases of her life. And now with 15th August, Madhuri admits that another dream has been checked off her real bucket list. “While one of the things on my bucket list was to do a Marathi film, I am finally checking off being a producer. There’s a lot more we have planned and I hope to create a lot more big-screen magic,” she says.

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; February 3, 2018)

Little has been known about her decade-long journey in Denver, US, where Madhuri Dixit-Nene set up base after marrying Dr Sriram Nene. Before her upcoming sitcom, which promises to trace her life in America, goes on floors, Dixit, in an exclusive interview to mid-day, says the venture is merely inspired by her journey.

Backed by Priyanka Chopra, an apt selection given her influence in India and the West, the sitcom for American Broadcasting Company (ABC), is currently in the writing stage. Until now, the actor’s journey has best been described as that of an Indian actor’s attempt to add colour to an otherwise dull location, whose inhabitants are unaware of her stature. It chronicles how she influenced people in Colorado.

Dixit says, “I am going to US, which will help in the creation of select episodes. The sitcom is inspired by my life, but it’s not entirely about me. My time in America was barely influenced by the recognition I had in India. The show highlights that too.”

Dixit claims to be involved in every process of the making. Delighted to have Chopra aboard as executive producer, she says the recommendation to approach her came from American producer Mark Gordon. “The project was conceived by us [husband Nene and Dixit] along with writer Sri Rao. Once we were sure about the idea, we approached Gordon’s production company [Entertainment One] to take it forward. They loved the idea. They suggested we get Priyanka on board. We thought it was a great idea because she knows our industry and how the system works in the West too.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2017)

Charting the rise and rise of the actress who ruled hearts for close to three decades, dazzling with her beauty on screen and off it
Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 15, 2017)

It’s hard to imagine Dixit as being 50. But then you see how beautifully she has aged, and how fabulously she has managed her life, and you know 50 is just a number that the ageless beauty has encountered in her beautiful journey of life.

Madhuri’s beginnings as an actress could never have indicated how far she would go. Her rise was not meteoric, but slow and steady. She started her career modestly in a Rajshri film Abodh in 1984.

Then came Tezaab (1988) and the hit song Ek Do Teen, that turned Madhuri into a superstar. Director N Chandra recalls, “When we were shooting the song, we knew something extraordinary was happening. Madhuri was electric on camera. Saroj Khan, who is a hard taskmaster couldn’t stop praising her. We knew Madhuri was going to be a superstar beyond any.”

Showman Subhash Ghai and the subsequent Ram Lakhan (1989) turned the tides of Madhuri’s career. The number Bada Dukh Dee Na was the first time that Lata Mangeshkar sang for Madhuri. “I felt I was finally a full-fledged heroine only after Latabai sang for me,” Madhuri had told this reporter once. The nightingale would go on to sing 16 songs for Madhuri in her most iconic film Hum Aaapke Hain Koun..!

Her journey after Tezaab and Ram Lakhan (1989) was rapid, swift and sure-footed. People like Subhash Ghai (Ram Lakhan, Khalnaayak) Boney and Anil Kapoor (Pukar), Rahul Rawail (Anjaam), Indra Kumar (Beta, Dil), Rakesh Roshan (Khel, Koyla) cast Madhuri in roles that gave her immense commercial clout and a reputation for delivering measured, graceful deep performances.

Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! is to Madhuri’s career what Mother India was to Nargis or Mughal-e-Azam is to Madhubala. It iconised the dancer-actress beyond all definitions of celluloid fame. Among those who were lifelong fans of Madhuri and the historic film was artiste and painter M F Husain who saw the film 67 times and directed a whole film Gaja Gamini dedicated to her beauty.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali confesses he’s an ardent Dixit fan. “Madhuri is magic on screen. I couldn’t think of casting anyone else as Chandramukhi in my Devdas. She was my first and only choice. Devdas couldn’t have been made without her. I wanted her for my first film Khamoshi: The Musical. But things didn’t work out at that time. As a filmmaker, it was very important for me to work with Madhuri. She is a complete actress. A skilled dancer and superlative actress,” says Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

In 1999, Madhuri married the US-based doctor Sriram Nene and migrated to Denver. Their marriage was a success because as she jokingly once mentioned, he had not seen any of her films and was not besotted by her. Madhuri decided to return to India in 2011.

At 50, her beauty and grace craves for a Bridges Of Madison County. Instead, she gets a Gulab Gang. Here’s hoping that some enterprising filmmaker would write a role that does justice to her beauty.

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 27, 2016)

With most of Bollywood leaving town for year-end holidays in locations ranging from London to Panchgani, Madhuri Dixit, currently on a break from her TV commitments, has taken to spending some well-deserved quality time with a family road trip.

On Christmas, the Dhak Dhak girl shared a picture of her with husband, Dr Sriram Nene, and kids, Arin and Rayaan, as they posed in front of the Taj Mahal.

“Traveling around India with the family. Am astounded by how amazing our culture and people are,” the 49-year-old stunner marvelled. The family then proceeded to pose with the security personnel at the tourist site.

“Wanted to salute the real heroes, our armed forces and police, for making us feel safe! Thank u from all of us. And of course merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all,” Madhuri added.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 16, 2016)

Madhuri Dixit brought in Valentine's Day with her three sweethearts — hubby Dr Sriram Nene and sons Arin and Raayan — in Alibaug on Sunday. The actress became the brand ambassador for the state earlier this month, appeared in a video for "Magnetic Maharashtra" alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Shankar Mahadevan.

"She chose to explore the outskirts of Mumbai rather than pick an overseas destination. They stayed in a villa by the beach and enjoyed local adventure sports like paragliding and a ride on the banana boat. They also relished local delicacies, in particular the spicy fish," said a source close to the actress.

The getaway doubled up as a belated birthday retreat for Dr Nene, who turned 50 on February 11. The couple had tied the knot in California and settled down in Denver before moving to B-town in 2008.

DNA (August 30, 2015)

Madhuri Dixit Nene’s online portal Dance With Madhuri has come out with a new dance called BollyOut, conceptualised along with her husband, Dr Sriram Nene who tells us, “We put it to the test by putting heart rate monitors on Madhuri during her Dancercise classes. We found that she lost 400 calories in 15 minutes.” BollyOut is a high-intensity, low-impact workout that pays close attention to muscle groups, metabolism, heart rates and caloric burn. Combined with good nutrition, it may be just what the doctor (Nene?) ordered for a healthy lifespan and lifestyle. Says Mads, “Dance effortlessly keeps me toned and makes me happy. BollyOut was our effort to share my secret on fitness with everyone. It digs deep into my dance and Bollywood roots to get you to move and stay fit.” So there you have it. Just dance!

BOMBAY TIMES (March 22, 2015)

Dr Sriram Nene on ditching the American dream and discovering karma in Mumbai.
Yolande D'Mello (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 2, 2014)

It seems too much for one lifetime. Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeon Dr Sriram Nene spends his Friday afternoon swapping notes with innovators, doctors and investors at the annual INK Conference at a Santacruz five-star.

The host introduces the doctor by listing a litany of degrees and scholarships (including a Scholars Program in Medicine from Washington University). In the same breath, she mentions that Nene is married to Hindi film actress Madhuri Dixit. The two wed in 1999, after which Dixit moved to Denver where Nene was based. In 2011, the family, including their sons Arin and Rayaan folded up their life in America to return to India.

In the audience, a demure Dixit sits listening to her husband who takes stage next. His two-hour session discusses the marriage of technology and medicine in a bid to aid healthcare. Nene, 48, is one of eight speakers. Before him, an innovator presents an ECG machine hidden in an iPhone cover.

As Nene begins his talk, the first slide of his presentation is an Apple II, a 9-bit home computer that first went on sale in 1977. A self-taught programmer, he was barely 15 when he began creating software for real estate and education firms. "Technology was always a passion. I grew up reading about Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci," he says.

When it came to choosing a graduate course however, Nene fell into the all-too familiar wrangle of a career in business versus medicine.

One of five siblings, he was born in London and grew up in America to Indian immigrant parents who left India in the 1960s. "My dad is an engineer, one of the first to be educated in the family; a self-made man. He wasn't sure if business was the best option," Nene says. "It's typical Asian immigrant behaviour. My sister is an attorney," he adds when we catch up with him later in between chatting with our photographer in fluent but accented Marathi.

He went on to study medicine on a scholarship, spending the next 17 years in the field (four years of undergraduate programme, four in graduation, seven in general medicine and two in surgery). In Denver, he was known as a specialist in mitral valve repair and endovascular aortic surgery, also having trained in Da Vinci robotic surgical system. Which is why when he announced that he was packing his bags, the media couldn't stop asking why.

Giving up a celebrated career was part of a larger calculation, he explains. "I didn't quit medicine. I transitioned. Surgery was about execution. There were long hours of boredom punctuated with moments of terror. But there was a thrill. Unlike practitioners of medicine who must observe, prescribe pills and wait, I was able to see results immediately," he says. However, his interaction with patients occurred only when disease or disorder was at a mature stage. "I've always been a believer in early prevention," he says.

Scalability was another concern that worried him. Presenting the findings of a mental calculation that drove him to move away from conventional medical practice, he shares, "If I can do 400 surgeries in a year, it's still not enough. In the US, there is one doctor for every 350 people. In India, there's one for 1,300 patients."

Unlike the US, where he argues, medicine has been commercialised, India continues to maintain integrity in the field. "Businesses come and go. But how you conduct it is critical. As Indians, we value relationships. What you put out is what you get. It's what you call karma," he says.

For a taste of this work ethic and a dose of "culture", Mumbai became home. This, he says, has been his longest stint in the city. "My grandparents stayed in Hindu Colony, Dadar. When growing up, I'd visit them every other year."

The shift has also meant bearing the full brunt of Dixit's stardom. Media houses call Nene media shy but he considers himself a "fairly straightforward" man. "Having been in the industry for 30 years, Madhuri is more than familiar with the media. But I don't believe in talking. I'm a do-er," he says, admitting that he isn't averse to using the influence she has on the press. "I proved what I needed to before I met her. I come with a certain skill set and so does she. We are trying to use them collaboratively for a worthy cause."

This is evident on stage, when Nene introduces the concept of Dancercise, a video format dance lesson featuring Dixit. The new leg of Dance with Madhuri will launch next month, allowing viewers to log on and experience a customised dance lesson from Dixit or her guests, Bollywood choreographers Saroj Khan, Terrance Lewis and Remo D'souza. "We set a belt on Madhuri to measure her pulse, number of steps and oxygen levels when dancing," he explains.

Viewers stand to burn 400 calories with 15 minutes of Bollywood-style jhatak matak. In future, viewers following the dance sequence in their homes will also have fitness wearable technology to monitor their body function and share it with their doctors. The programme currently boasts 45,000 subscribers in 206 countries. RnM Moving Pictures, the digital content company that the couple own, is being used to get the message out.

Nene also divides his time as chief medical officer at GOQii - a firm founded by entrepreneur and angel investor Vishal Gondal — that develops app systems for medical tracking.

"Here, patients can play a larger role in their own healthcare. Gamification, including earning points for healthy behaviour, and the ability to share results on social media make healthy living fun," he says.

Reacting to a question on why he didn't end up joining a top city hospital, when news reports had speculated about his association with Harkisandas and KEM, Nene agrees he was "in talks". "I've been in touch with directors of all major hospitals, whether Breach Candy, Lilavati, KEM or Apollo. I could join them but I'd rather design a medical system that works and have them approach me for it."

At the end of the session, a magician takes the stage to woo a sceptical audience with card tricks. As he makes a burnt paper levitate, he admits there's no magic; only disguised tact. "The ash rises because that is all I want you to see," says the magician.

Nene wraps up his talk with ease. He has been getting practice. Only last week, he was in Rio, delivering a speech at the TEDGlobal conference. "My parents still don't get what I do for a living," he smiles. "I like to joke that I'm saving the world."