Return of the Diva


15 September 2007

Karan Johar chats up Madhuri Dixit, an actress whose first stint in Bollywood only left her fans wating for more


Karan: You are back Madhuri after so many years. How many years has it been?

Madhuri: 6 years...

Karan: And yours is possibly the most talked about comeback. How does it feel?

Madhuri: It feels great, it feels good to be back. It feels great to, you know meet everybody I have worked with -friends and family - it's great being back.

Karan: So, were you at all nervous to face the camera on day one?

Madhuri: Well, day one I was a little hassled...

Karan: After all those years...

Madhuri: Ya, after all those years, I don't know why you feel you have lost touch. You know you are going to be on the set, getting ready, the whole process - and I was wondering will I be able to do it? But, once I was there and I started working, the first day went by, and on the second day I was fine...

Karan: But when Aditya Chopra came all the way to Denver to offer the film... He told me, 'you know she was so amazing she looked at me and said, 'You want to make this film with me. You think really people want to watch me.' And you know both of us had this big laugh - did you really mean it, when you said this...

Madhuri: Yes I did. I really meant it, because 6 years is a lot of time to be away from the screen, to be away from the public eye. Today, the whole generation is so fast. There are so many things happening that it makes you feel, are people really going to miss me, you know are they really going to come back and watch me perform?

Karan: So, tell us, you have been living in Denver for the last how many years - 6-7 years?

Madhuri: 6 years.

Karan: 6 years you were there. When you initially went there, your change in lifestyle - how did it all happen for you? The big star in India to now super market shopping in America. How was that change? How did it all feel?

Madhuri: Well, for me, it was pretty normal.

Karan: Really?

Madhuri: Really, you know I have always been a very down-to-earth person. Even when I was here I would walk into any shop and buy anything. Of course it's a little difficult to do it here, because people start collecting...

Karan: You could not have gone to any kind of shop here Madhuri!

Madhuri: Don't worry I have been to Santacruz and I have shopped. For me, it's like, I am a pretty normal person, it's like anybody else. I love to do these things. I want to be on my own and do stuff and for me it was good because I have been watching my sisters. They have lived there, so it wasn't a shock for me. I wanted that kind of a life. I wanted to be normal. I wanted my kids to have a very normal upbringing. So, for me it was great. I love to go shopping there, drive down.

Karan: Completely detached in the 6 years that you have been there. In these six years were you in touch with Indian cinema at all?

Madhuri: It was hard because I was having kids - there was Aryan and then 2 years later I had Ryan. I was really busy, so couldn't really catch up with anything

Karan: What about them - do they understand the implications of being Madhuri Dixit's children?

Madhuri: I think because they are not grown up here... And I have always been there, they don't understand this whole concept of movie star...

Karan: So, when people randomly recognise you...

Madhuri: They are too young to understand right now. 2 and 4 is too young but now the older one is kind of getting an idea that mom works in movies and then he will see a picture and say, look, look, mom that's you!

Karan: What about Ram, has he been totally supportive of your decision to come down?

Madhuri: Absolutely. We both kind of sat down and made a conscious decision whether I should be doing this or not and he has always supported me - if you don't want to work, you want to sit at home and look after the kids I am happy with that, but, if you feel you want to do something then I am with you all the way...

Karan: How does it feel? You are back after such a long time. Do you feel things have changed in the industry, the work ethic, things like that?

Madhuri: Yes.

Karan: Like what?

Madhuri: Like you know you have a whole bound script and that's not a very simple...

Karan: And that didn't happen during your time?

Madhuri: Oh No, it didn't. Sometimes we used to go on the sets, we didn't even know what we were going to say in the scene. We used to get the dialogues right then.

Karan: Last minute.

Madhuri: Ya, last minute, learn them and just say them and the whole economics was different at that time of film making and I think because of the corporate kind of culture that has come in now, it's great, because everything is so organised now.

Karan: Everything is streamlined.

Madhuri: Everything is disciplined. It is worked out before hand, what the scene is going to be and what you are going to wear. What your look is going to be. Everything is set for you. It is so easy for the actors.

Karan: What else has happened is, this whole emergence of the paparazzi and the media...

Madhuri: That has shocked me. I was invited for this opening and I saw this barrage of cameramen and the press was like falling all over each other and I was like what is happening...

Karan: And that wasn't the case earlier?

Madhuri: No, it wasn't. I mean there were a few photographers - the same familiar faces who used to be there everywhere to cover. But now it's like new people, new faces and I went to Siddhivinayak temple...

Karan: Oh ya... they have the tendency to follow people at that particular temple.

Madhuri: I came out and it was like, oh my God, and I thought my kids are going to be scared and I was holding on to them. But you should have seen my little one.

Karan: What did he do?

Madhuri: He was fluttering his eyes and smiling and my other kid was also enjoying all that attention!

Karan: But darling, he is an actresse's son, he has got it in his genes!

Madhuri: That's what my husband says, 'bachche kiske hai'

Karan: But tell me, initially when you met Ram, I mean, was it an arrangement made by the family?

Madhuri: Ya, it was a secret arrangement made by my brother. I didn't know, because they were always on a look out - 'we need to get you married and you should get married' and stuff like that. But, this time he did it very cleverly. He had this party in the house and he called all his friends, so that's where I met Ram.

Karan: Oh, so you didn't know you were being set up.

Madhuri: No...I was always suspicious of them!... something is cooking, but that always used to be the case. But this time I had really no clue.

Karan: Did you feel anything when you met him?

Madhuri: Well, when I met him, I found him very interesting, it was like, I would like to meet him again.

Karan: Was it at all exciting for you, that he was not from your world and that he didn't know much about you?

Madhuri: It was because, he didn't have any pre-conceived notions. He had not seen any of my films, so there was no image in his mind.

Karan: He had heard about you?

Madhuri: He had heard that I am an actress but it is like for me, meeting an actress from China, I wouldn't know how big or what she is out there... it was just like any other profession.

I am an actor and he has been in LA all his life. He has grown up there. He has seen a lot of stars come in and out, so for him it was not anything fascinating that he is meeting an actress. That was really nice.

Karan: Was it always a fear that you are such a big name and that somebody who would eventually land up with you in life would be in awe of you and not in love with you

Madhuri: Yes, that was always my fear.

Karan: What you see now, when you are surfing channels, when you see these girls, like what do you see, vis-à-vis the kind of work that you did?

Madhuri: Well, technically the films are so much better. There is more emphasis on fashion. Wearing the right kind of stuff for the right thing. The songs are also so elaborately shot. There is a lot of improvement and whatever I see the girls... I mean, I asked someone, 'who is this girl, is she new or she has done a few films'. So they said, 'No, this is her first film', and I was like my God this is her first film... Today, all the girls who have come, you can't tell from their first film to their fourth, they are so good from the first film onwards.

Karan: Actresses like Rani and all are huge fans of yours.

Madhuri: Ya, she has told me that.

Karan: Have you seen her work?

Madhuri: Yes, I have, and I think she is a very good actress. I have always liked her and I envy her in a way because my dad is a big fan of hers.

Karan: Really?

Madhuri: Ya, really.

Karan: You must see her in Black. She is fantastic.

Madhuri: Ya, I should.

Karan: What about your male co-stars, have you met them all, after you are back?

Madhuri: No, not all of them, because everybody is busy. But, I have met Shah Rukh and I think he is only co-star I have met.

Karan: So, Aaja Nachle is the film that you are working on, and is slated for release in November, where you are working with Kunal Kapoor, Konkona, Akshaye Khanna and a whole lot of youngsters. How was the experience?

Madhuri: It was lots of fun, it was great, also, because it is fun working with all these actors. There were times you know, when I literally didn't have to act, I just had to react to whatever they are doing. They are such good actors.

Karan: Do you feel the acting style is more natural, like you have Konkona, who is a very natural actress...

Madhuri: Yes, Konkona is a very natural actress and so is Kunal and I think the dialogues are very natural, the situations, they are not like larger than life...

Karan: More real

Madhuri: Ya, more real...

This interview appears courtesy Star Middle East Ltd. Episode 19 of KOFFEE WITH KARAN featuring Madhuri Dixit Will appear on Sunday, September 16th at 9 00pm on Star World

"Dola Re Dola" Devdas:

Madhuri: They are too young to understand right now. 2 and 4 is too young but now the older one is kind of getting an idea that mom works in movies and then he will see a picture and say, look, look, mom that's you!
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PAST GLORIES:

Madhuri's Favourite Dance Numbers::

'Ek do teen...' -- Tezaab

'Gori ki chaal...' -- Sailaab

'Dhak dhak karne laga...' -- Beta

'Choli ke peechay kya hain...' -- Khalnayak

'Ankhiya milaye kabhi ankhiya churaye...' -- Raja

'Dola re dola......'--Devdas

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Madhuri dixit come back with Aaja nach le:

Madhuri dixit is all set to make her yet another come back into bollywood after a big gap of five years with Yashraj productions new venture Aaja nach le, as the name suggest its something to do with the dance.There is none better than Madhuri dixit.We all know how she owned Prabhu deva in that amazing dance number in pukaar.Aaja nach le is directed by a Anil mehta, who is known as one of the best cinematographer and if all goes well this baby will hit the theatres on november 30
‘Aaja Naachley’ has Madhuri playing a theatre actress. The film is a fun-filled musical about a woman who tries to bring happiness into the lives of people in a small town through dance.The movie’s shooting began in January 2007. Madhuri flew from Denver in the US (where she lives with her husband Ram Nene) to Mumbai with her two kids Ryan and Arin. Sometimes the kids accompanied Madhuri to the shooting sets in Yashraj Studios
Besides Madhuri, the film stars Kunal Kapoor , Konkona Sen Sharma and Divya Dutta . In fact, Madhuri became very friendly with Konkona and Divya while shooting the film.

Promo Video of Madhuri dancing in Aja Nachle:

Only time will tell if this Diva's comeback will be successful......we all wish her the best.

PREVIEW OF AJA NACHLE:


This November is all set to see the best releases of the year. With Madhuri Dixit making a comeback, am sure all the Madhuri fans will be awaiting this movie. Its called “Aaja Nachle“, produced under the Yash Chopra banner.

After a nerve whacking performance for Devdas in 2005, Madhuri was not seen in the tinsel town for quite sometime now and then she decided on this film, though she had a lot of offers from almost all the directors of Bollywood.

Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachley) is a story about a theatre actress, played by Madhuri herself who vows to better the society through her dance acts. She travels to distant towns for her dance shows and conveys happiness through her dancing moves.

The film is in the safe hands of Anil Mehta, who is the cinematographer of the film along with being a director. In addition to Madhuri, Kunal Kapoor, Konkana Sen Sharma and Divya Dutta play important characters.

Madhuri looks stunning on the sets of the film after losing loads of weight and is often seen giving weight loss and fitness tips to co-actor Divya Dutta. She flew all the way from Denver, US or the shooting of this film in January 2007.

The movie is expected to release on November, 30th 2007….. Everyone’s waiting!!!!

Also SRK's OM SHANTI OM RELEASES IN NOVEMBER:
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Finally, she is back. My all time favourite since Zeenat Aman and Rekha. She will cut ash's ass now.

Her two boys are adorable.

I loved her in Raja (Raaja), she did some nice dancing in that movie

AAJA NACHLE IS ABOUT DANCE MORE DANCE AND THEN SOME MORE
Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachley) is a story about a theatre actress, played by Madhuri herself who vows to better the society through her dance acts. She travels to distant towns for her dance shows and conveys happiness through her dancing moves.

Ofcourse not from Nachle but: Madz with children at the annual day of an Orphanage
in Mumbai
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NOT VERY OFTEN ONE FINDS FOUR DIVA'S TOGETHER: SHABANA, MADHURI, REKHA AND ASH:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Finally, she is back. My all time favourite since Zeenat Aman and Rekha. She will cut ash's ass now.

i hear you - she is a star in her own right!...grogeous..talented with acting and dancing and great personality.

JAYESH SETH CAPTURES THE MANY MOODS OF MADHURI:

Jayesh Sheth has captured top Bollywood stars -- and even Hollywood hunk Richard Gere -- in his long stint as a leading show business photographer.
On the occasion of Madhuri Dixit's birthday, he tells Patcy N about some of his favourite photographs of the glamorous star.

Madhuri Dixit and I are very friendly; we are like buddies. I knew her when she was not even famous, and she lived in J B Nagar in Andheri (A western suburb of Mumbai) in her one-bedroom house.

I was a good friend of actress Ranjeeta, whose secretary Riku Rakesh Nath was also Madhuri's secretary. Riku requested me to go to Madhuri's house and click a few of her photographs, as she wanted to try in Bollywood.

I still remember the day when I first went to her house. Her sister Rupa opened the door. She was so pretty that I thought I had to shoot her pictures! In fact, I requested her that she should do her portfolio. But she was into interior designing.

Then I saw Madhuri. And I found her not so attractive. She was very skinny and her body language was also not good.

We worked together in the real sense after Tezaab, when she was just beginning to be recognised. She had curly hair and prominent pink lipstick.

continues.......

JAYESH SETH CAPTURES THE MANY MOODS OF MADHURI:

Year: 1998-99

Costume: Manish Malhotra
Makeup: Bharat Godambe
Hairstylist: Dorris Godambe

This was a different kind of a picture where we wanted a Vogue look for Madhuri. We were trying to experiment with her looks. She was not at all confident wearing this costume. She did not at look in the mirror until the whole makeup was done.

She was very nervous because she thought only Rekha could carry such costumes and makeup. But when she looked at herself in the mirror, she started screaming with joy!

Even after all that, she was not comfortable about carrying off that costume.

In those days there was no digital camera. So after the first few shots, we saw the pictures on Polaroid. She was amazed with her pictures.

She thought it was a miracle. Everybody knows Madhuri for her smile, very frizzy hair and soft look. But this photograph had that attitude in her - in the way she held her shoulder -- and the collarbones added glamour to her picture.

People would later ask me how I convinced Madhuri to wear such a costume and red lipstick!

continues.......

Year: 1998-99
Costume: Manish Malhotra
Makeup: Bharat Godambe
Hairstylist: Dorris Godambe
This photograph was shot on the same day as the previous photo. By now she was very confident and she wanted to shoot more.

We were looking for a change in costume but we did not have anything. There was this black material, which was actually a scrap in the studio, which she draped around. And there was fur lying on the floor that she cuddled around her arms.

Manish worked on her looks. We wanted to give her that 1960s Madonna look, so we tried to give her hairdo also a side parting and a little puff in the front. We wanted her to look glamorous. She had seen her previous photo and was very confident. I asked her to sport a crooked smile and she did justice to it.

I remember Prakash Jha had come to meet Madhuri for Mrityudand and we were selecting photographs for printing in a magazine. He was speechless! He said, 'You have done an excellent job on her.'

That photo changed the way people perceived Madhuri.

Year 1995-96
Make up: Bharat Godambe
Hairstylist: Dorris Godambe
We were shooting for the cover of a magazine and I wanted a black and white picture. No one was sure that a black and white picture on the cover would look good. But I was totally convinced as I have a fascination for black and white pictures.

I first convinced my editor Bhavna Somaya. And then I convinced Madhuri.

I was planning a graphic picture where the emphasis would be on the jaw line and nose line. I did not want it to look like a photograph -- I wanted it to look more like a painting.

Therefore we went for a black and white dress and a scarf around her neck.

We were clicking away, but nothing was working out. I had told her I want her chin up and a shadow of a smile. She was holding that position. The only thing that was moving all the time was the scarf -- it was first around her neck, then her shoulders, then it covered her head partly and fully.

But there was one fraction of a minute when we got this particular picture when her chin was properly up and her fringes could be seen from her scarf and she had that slight and beautiful smile

More on Madz Later:

Year: 1996-97
Make up: Jaywant Thakre
Hairstylist: Nanda Tolani

I wanted this stark picture of her wearing a body-hugging suit. She had a good figure but had a broad hipline and she was very conscious about it.

I wanted emphasise on the knee-length boots she was wearing. We had given her a short wig to define her neckline and asked her to broaden her shoulder.

I was shooting her from all different angles but she was not comfortable standing as she thought it would show her hipline. Then we started thinking what else we can do with her boots on -- because those boots were a must.

She asked me if we could shoot her sitting down, and I agreed. But sitting down with the boots on the floor was something very difficult. I was not sure how she was going to manage, but she settled on this pose.

Once she sat, she fixed herself like a mannequin. But now, it was a difficult job for me as I had shoot by lying down on the floor.

She asked me to hurry up as she knew that her stress -- of sitting like that -- would be visible in the photograph. But she did sit in one position for half an hour!

Year 1996-97
Costume: Arjun Khanna
Make up: Michelle
Hairstylist: Michelle
This shoot was for fashion designer Arjun Khanna. The other person who was joining Madhuri on this shoot was Arjun Rampal. He was very nervous that he was posing with the most popular actress in Bollywood. He had just signed Moksh then.

To make him feel comfortable, Madhuri told him he is a better model and he would be more comfortable doing all this stuff and she should be the one nervous!

Still, Arjun could not relax. Madhuri too was not comfortable with the costume because it was a full-length dress and very heavy to carry. She was also wearing brocade and her hairdo was a high bun.

Arjun was standing just behind me watching Madhuri, as he wanted to see how comfortable she was in front of a camera. As soon as Madhuri started shooting she was flawless. There was pin drop silence. Everybody was in awe of her. Arjun was zapped. Her chemistry with the camera was remarkable.

Arjun was so nervous that he could not give the right expressions and we somehow got just two good photographs of them together.
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Year: 1997-98
Make Up: Ifte Khan
Hairstylist: Roshan Mistry

For this picture we gave her a very simple hairstyle, bluish contact lens and very mute lipstick and matching accessories. I wanted her to show grief and pain. I wanted a sentimental picture.

I asked her not to smile. She told me she only knew to smile!

I asked her to remember any sad moment in her life -- any incident that would make her feel gloomy. She said she didn't have any sadness in her life and that's the reason she smiled all the time!

But I wanted that Mona Lisa look. I asked her to remember some sad scene from a movie but then I thought that would make it look very filmy. I wanted a natural touch to it. We wasted almost a day but still couldn't get what I wanted.

So, I told her that we should pack up as her smile was coming in the way and just two frames were remaining. When she heard that, she felt sad. That's when I got my shot!

Maduri, The Diva Returns

LOOK OUT FOR THE MOST SENSIOUS, SEXY AND NOSTALGIC KISS WITH MADHURI:

I THINK THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ON THE INDIAN SCREEN:

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