Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri is one of the greatest stars of Bombay Film industry, which shined brightest during the last part of eighties and first half of nineties. She was born on May 15, 1967 to mother Snehlata and father Shankar in Maharashtra. She has two sisters and a brother. Her nickname is Bubbly. 

Madhuri wanted to be a microbiologist but got into films with an offer from Rajshri Films in Abodh in 1984. Her joining the films became one of the most important incidents of Bollywood, as it heralded the rise of one of the most spectacular career in its history. Abodh and a couple of other non-descript roles did not get her going straight away.

She kept on getting small time roles in insignificant movies but could not make a break till Shubash Ghai spotted her. She did a tiny dance performance in his production 'Karma', but it was omitted from the final footage, with a promise from Ghai that he will give her major roles in his forthcoming films. Though he did pitch her in his 'Uttar Dakhin' and Anil Kapoor starrer 'Ram Lakhan' but by that time she had already taken the industry by storm in N. Chandras 'Tezaab'. Over night Ek do teen was on everybodys lips and Madhuri was a hot rage amongst gossip groups. Tezaab was a golden jubilee hit. 

A superb performance in Dil (1990) not only brought her the First FilmFare award but also a long association with Indra Kumar with whom she produced more blockbusters in Beta (1991) for which she won FilmFare Award and Raja (1995). Sajan and Khalnayak with Sanjay Dutt in the early ninties give ample testimony of her great acting skills, she carried in her bosom. 1990 onwards, a hit film per year followed including Kishan Kanhaiya, Saajan, Khalnayak, Parinda, 100 Days, Prahaar, Prem Pratigaya to name a few. The ever upwardly mobile career graph of Madhuri met its culmination in Hum Apke Hain Kaun. The incredible success of this family drama with Salman Khan not only made her a household name in India, but also earned her the sobriquet of being the female Amitabh Bachan of industry. Hum Apke Hain Kaun has been the greatest blockbuster in history. She won the FilmFare award, Best Actress, for her power packed performance. Success of HAHK was followed by success of Raja and by the mid nineties; Madhuri had etched her name in golden letters as the greatest actress of Bollywood.

But as is implied by laws of nature everything that goes on top has to come down too. Madhuri breathtaking success in the early nineties was followed by humdrum films towards end of the decade. That she could not live up to the imagination and aspirations of the people or her Jhatkas had lost their grace cannot be clearly distinguished. But her career indeed went into a reverse gear. Yaarana, Prem Granth, Raj Kumar, Mahaanta, Koyala flopped one after another as if fallen to some mysterious ailment. Some started writing her film obituary while others suggested her to quit films.

Prakash Jha's Mirtyudand (1997) was critically acclaimed though it didnt have the power to resurrect her career. But the amazing success of Dil To Pagal Hai put a lock to the mouths of her critics. Dil to Pagal Hai brought back her vanishing aura and put her once again in the spotlight. Madhuri earned a Film fare award for this film, which she dedicated to her critics, with a cheek.

But all these up and down have not been without rampant controversies regarding Madhuri. Her entanglement with Sanjay Dutt drove his wife mad on her. She went to the press throwing invectives at her. The dance sequence Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai unnecessarily drew her into a confrontation with feminist groups, who demanded a ban on the song and Madhuri for denigrating feminity. She faced all this criticism with stoic silence.

A mention should also be made of octogenarian MF Husseins fascination for Madhuri Dixit. He has not only painted a few of his Masterpieces with Madhuri as a subject but has openly declared her to be his inspiration. Madhuri has also done an art film made by M F Hussein Gajgaamni.

On October 17, 1999, Madhuri married Dr. Shriram Nene, a physician settled in the USA. Contrary to expectations of general public Madhuri Dixit did not discontinue her film life after her marriage. She gave good performance in Pukar and Lajja. Madhuri delivers an incredible, flawless performance in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (2001). The actress looks every bit the character she portrays and proves yet again that she is a powerhouse of talent. In Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas (2002) Madhuri showed that she hadn't lost any of her pulling power as an actress and won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Now she has been blessed with a baby boy. On August 25, 2001, she was honoured with the National Citizen Award.