Madhuri Dixit (AGENCY)
Marriage and two babies later, Madhuri Dixit has come flocking back to Bollywood.
The nineties superstar wants fame and fortune once more, and although her last outing, 2007's "Aaja Nachle", was a box-office disaster, the award-winning actress believes her recent work on the TV show "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa" should have producers offering her new films. The only deterrent, she says, has been the elusive "good script".
But what sort of work is she willing to do? We asked her that, and other questions.
Did you refuse to play Sonam Kapoor's mother in the film that Anil Kapoor offered to you?
Well, I have not yet spoken to Anil Kapoor regarding that. I don't even know what the role is. So if the role is exciting enough, it doesn't matter if I need to be a mother or not.
What kind of film would excite you?
My fans are looking forward to an entertaining film from me. But then I am looking forward to a good script. I do not mind if it is a new director with new ideas. I want to enjoy the character and the role.
You cried the other day on the sets of "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa". What happened?
Well, they showed glimpses of my school days and I went back down memory lane. You do what you want and the parents need to restrict control you and clean up the mess you have created. Our early days in school are the ones which we reminisce a lot about and it was a wonderful feeling. I had studied in a convent school and watching those nuns, I could not restrain myself and let go of my emotions.
Do your children watch your movies?
Well, they do not understand Hindi. But they keep watching my films and understand it after reading the subtitles. They have seen my films like 'Devdas', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun', 'Aaja Nachle' and 'Dil To Paagal Hai'. I am trying to teach them Hindi. But they speak Marathi at home and when school reopens, they start speaking in English all over again.
Do they watch you on TV?
Well, they do. In fact when we are home and 'Jhalak Dikhlaa Ja' is being telecast on TV, they call me over and ask me to watch the programme. They try and take pictures of me on television and they are pretty amused by the fact that I am on television. They are keen to know whether I am a popular personality and have even asked me at times , 'Mom, are you a famous person?'
Dance-based reality shows are hits, but dance-based movies do not do as well. Is there a trend or pattern that you are seeing?
It is not just the dance portions that are responsible, but a lot of factors determine why a film does well or not. One cannot merely generalize that dance based films don't do well. Some films have the appeal and some don't.
What kind of actors from this generation do you think are good?
I loved Sonakshi Sinha in 'Dabangg'. She is very natural and her eyes have a lot of expression. I also loved Ranbir Kapoor in the films 'Wake Up Sid', Rocket Singh and 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani'. I thought that Anushka Sharma was also fabulous in some scenes in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'. I think these actors have great potential.
Which one of your dialogues you do savour the most?
I liked the dialogues from the film 'Dil To Paagal Hai'. Even 'Devdas' had some great dialogues. I can also vividly remember my dialogue with Aruna Iraniji in 'Beta'. They were some of the best.
Tell us one song that you have performed on that you feel is your favourite?
I loved the 'Choli Ke Peeche' song from the film 'Khalnayak'. The song had a lot of folk flavour and it needed a lot of energy to perform the number as well. Like 'Munni Badnaam Hui' it is a total masala entertainer number.
What do you attribute the success of the song to with so many s-called 'latkas' and 'jhatkas' (dance moves)?
'Latkas' and 'jhatkas' are present in Indian dances only. Look at Rajasthani dances and see the kind of movements present in the dance form.
You wanted to start a dance school once?
I still want to start it. But nothing has happened in this regard.
So is that still your dream?
Yes. I do want to start my school as soon as possible. And it is not just Kathak that I want to reach there. I want to teach all kinds of dance forms. I have been learning dancing from the age of eight. Dancing is very close to my heart. Only when my children go to school, will I able to take out time for this. But then my elder son is in second grade and he has a lot of homework to do daily. I have also dreamt of a happy family and a great career. My career has seen a lot of ups and downs but it is my husband and my children who give me the greatest happiness in the world.
