Happy Birthday Madhuri Dixit: Lesser-known anecdotes from her iconic Bollywood journey

Madhuri’s successful career among many other things was made of the brilliant dance numbers she starred in, the chemistry she shared with her co-stars, and her sparkling screen presence.
Madhuri Dixit

Parmita Uniyal

New Delhi: Madhuri Dixit, the Dhak Dhak queen of Bollywood has turned 53 today. The actress entered Bollywood in 1984 with in Rajshri Productions’ Abodh opposite Bengali actor Tapas Paul and went on to star in more than 70 films, many of which were blockbusters.

Madhuri was the undisputed queen of 90s but like many stars of her time, she took time to establish herself in the film industry and gave a string of flops before her first hit Tezaab (1988) catapulted her to stardom, thanks to the Ek Do Teen number that became immensely popular among youth.

Madhuri’s successful career among many other things was made of the many peppy dance numbers she starred in, the chemistry she shared with her co-stars, and her sparkling screen presence.

With films like Ram Lakhan, Parinda, Khalnayak, Saajan, Dil, Beta, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, the actress ruled the hearts of millions throughout the 90s and early 2000s.

Apart from her masala entertainers, Madhuri has also delivered some strong performances in films like Pukaar, Anjaam, Dedh Ishqiya, but her fans would like to remember her as the ultimate screen diva of 90s whose films were simply a must-watch. Madhuri lovers even watched her flop films on television numerous time for that one hit dance number that transported them to a different world.

Ek Do Teen was just the beginnings. Mera Piya Ghar Aaya O Raam Ji (Yaraana), Channe Ke Khet Mein (Anjaam), Choli Ke Peeche (Khalnayak), Humko Aajkal Hai Intezaar (Sailaab), Paayal Meri (Raajkumar), Dil Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Beta), Dola Re Dola (Devdaas) are few of the songs that contributed immensely in the making of the 90s Bollywood queen.

Madhuri experienced many highs and lows in her three decades journey and she has shared some nuggets of it in interviews.

Her first-ever brush with the glamour world in Abodh

“My journey as an actress began from this film. When I signed this film, I had absolutely no idea what this industry was all about. I vividly recall an incident that proves this point. It was an indoor shot and the director was explaining its details to me. Out of habit, I leaned on the wall beside me. I was not aware of the fact that the wall was made of delicate cardboard. The minute I touched it, my hand went right through the wall! For the first time in my life, I realized what a film set actually is.”

‘I used to feel I don’t fit into the perfect size of heroines’

“Those were my early struggling days and I used to feel I don’t actually fit into the ‘perfect’ size of heroines back then in Bollywood.”

“And I used to think that way majorly because of the continuous criticisms I used to face from outsiders. But that didn’t deter my path to success and I worked hard and I think I have accomplished what I had set out for.”

On shooting steamy scene with Anil Kapoor in Parinda

“The climax sequence of this movie was giving me and my co-star, Anil Kapoor nightmares since it involved a very steamy scene. In order to make us feel more comfortable, the director actually shot the scene with two other actors to show us exactly how aesthetic the final cut would look. Also, this was the movie in which I did a death scene for the first time!”

Important advice from Sharmila Tagore on the sets of Swati

“One incident that I clearly recall is when I was shooting with Sharmila ji and she gave me an earful about coming to the sets with chipped nail polish. She said, An actor needs to look perfect all the time!” From that day on I have never stepped out of my house without checking my nails!”

Seriously! Madhuri Dixit’s reaction when she heard lyrics of Ek Do Teen

“I believe that this film was the turning point in my career. The role was very challenging. I believe that it was the song Ek Do Teen that really made me famous! The first time I heard the song, my reaction was, Seriously? We are counting numbers? But eventually the whole film came together very well.”

We couldn’t stop playing tricks: On working with Aamir in Dil

“I worked with a “Khan” for the first time. Aamir is extremely intelligent and has a very weird sense of humor. Also, it was a lot of fun working with someone my age as till then almost all my co-stars were seniors. The director gave us an earful a number of times for acting like kids and constantly joking about. But even that couldn’t stop us from playing tricks on each other almost everyday!”

I was completely awe-struck: On working with Hema Malini in Jamaai Raja

“This movie gave me the golden opportunity of being in the same frame as Hema ji. Before the shooting of this movie began, I had only seen Hema ji on a couple of occasions, but I never really got the chance to talk to her. When I did get to shoot with her, I was completely awe struck! She is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in the world, but she is also a really down-to-earth, gentle person!”

Giving 40 retakes for Tamma Tamma Loge with Sanjay Dutt

“The song Tamma Tamma Loge from this movie got tremendous competition from Jumma Chumma De De due to the similarity in their tunes. Also, this song made history as Sanjay Dutt gave a full-fledged dance performance for the first time! We had to do 40 retakes for one of the shots in that song as the hat had to fall exactly on our feet! By the time we finished the shooting, my knees were completely bruised!”

On slapping Chunky Pandey three times and turning his cheek red

“Working in this movie was an amazing experience because the director of this movie was a really energetic person! In fact during one of the shots, the director was so excited that he actually walked into the frame by mistake! In another shot, my character had to slap Chunky Pandey’s character. We had to do 3 retakes and Chunky’s cheek had turned completely red. I still feel sorry about it!”

On working in Beta with Aruna Irani: I thoroughly enjoyed the war of words

“The minute this role was narrated to me, I found myself looking forward to acting in this movie. Working with Aruna ji, who played my saasu-maa, was an enjoyable experience as she is an incredible woman! I thoroughly enjoyed the war of words that I had to have with my saasu-maa! ”

On playing drug addict in Zindagi Ek Jua: I freaked out a little bit!

“Essaying the role of a drug addict in this movie proved to be a very refreshing experience. I was quite apprehensive about the scenes in which I had to smoke cigarettes since I had never touched a cigarette before. We had to do 5 retakes for that scene and by the end of it I felt a slight buzz in my head. I had absolutely no idea that it was because of the cigarettes and I freaked out a little bit! ”

We would joke around all the time: On working with SRK in Anjaam

“When I signed this film I had no idea that Shahrukh and me would end up becoming such good friends. His personality is so bright and his nature is so friendly that you instantly feel comfortable around him. We would joke around all the time and would try to make each other laugh because of that the director yelled at us on many occasions.”

‘Salman always had me in splits’

“Sooraj Barjatya was the director of this movie. I first met Sooraj ji on the sets of Abodh. During the shooting of Abodh I had noticed this guy observing me from a corner. He would look at me and then scribble something in a diary he always had. I got a little worried and eventually asked the crew members who he was. They told me that he was the continuity guy as well as the son of Rajkumar Barjatya, the head of Rajshri Productions. When I got the chance to work with him again, I jumped at it. Salman always had me in splits and working with Renuka Shahane was an absolute delight!”

‘Akshay was focussed, Saif mischievous’

“Working with Saif and Akshay was an amazing experience. Akshay was a very focused person right from the start and I think that is what brought him a long way. Saif was a mischievous brat since the beginning and thanks to him, all of us would be rolling on the floor laughing!”