Madhuri Dixit Nene (néeDixit,pronounced[d̪iːkʂɪt̪]; born 15 May 1967) is an Indian actress and television personality. She has appeared inover 70Hindi films, attaining nationwide stardom that influenced Indianpopular culture.[1][2] Noted by critics for her performances and dancing abilities, Dixit was credited for singularly paralleling her male contemporaries by leadingstar vehicles in a male-dominated industry.[3] Heraccolades include sixFilmfare Awards from a record 17 nominations. In 2008, theGovernment of India awarded her withPadma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country.
Born and raised inMumbai, Dixit made her acting debut in 1984 with a leading role in the dramaAbodh. After a few successive commercially failed films, she rose to prominence with the action dramaTezaab (1988), and established herself with starring roles in the top-grossing romantic dramasDil (1990),Beta (1992),Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), andDil To Pagal Hai (1997). She won fourFilmfare Awards for Best Actress for her performances in them. Other commercially successful films during this period includeRam Lakhan,Tridev (both 1989),Thanedaar,Kishen Kanhaiya (both 1990),Saajan (1991),Khalnayak (1993), andRaja (1995).
Dixit was among the country's highest-paid celebrities throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and has featured inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list since its inception in 2012.[4][5] In addition to acting, she has been engaged in philanthropic activities. She has worked withUNICEF since 2014 to advocate therights of children and preventchild labour, participates in concert tours and stage shows, and is the co-founder of the production company RnM Moving Pictures. Since 1999, she has been married to Shriram Nene, with whom she has two sons.
Early life and background
Madhuri Dixit was born on 15 May 1967 into aMarathiKokanastha Brahmin family inBombay to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit.[6][7][8] She has two elder sisters and an elder brother.[6] She kindled an interest in dance at an early age of three, and went on to train inKathak for eight years; later on becoming a professionally trainedKathak dancer.[9][10]
I received a scholarship as a Kathak dancer when I was nine. I even remember that it was due to a dance performance that the first time my name had appeared in the paper. I was seven or eight years old at that time and had performed at the Guru Purnima festival. And there was a journalist who was there and he had written this article saying that 'this little girl stole the show' – something like that. I was over the moon. So dance gave me a sense of achievement. Of worth."[11]
Dixit received her education at Divine Child High School inAndheri. Apart from her studies, she participated in extra-curricular activities, such as dramatics.[12] Aspiring to become amicrobiologist, Dixit enrolled at theSathaye college inVile Parle (Mumbai) where she studiedmicrobiology as one of her subjects in BSc.[13] However, six months after she had commenced her course, Dixit decided to discontinue studies and pursue a full-time career in films.[14]
Dixit made her debut in film in 1984 withRajshri Productions' dramaAbodh, opposite Bengali actor,Tapas Paul.[15] The film failed commercially but Dixit's performance earned her positive reviews from critics. Aakash Barvalia of Gomolo wrote, "Madhuri excels in her role as a young bride who acquits herself well as the naive village girl and does not realise what marriage actually entails."[16] Her only release of 1985 –Awara Baap – flopped at the box office.[17] During this time, a monochrome photograph of hers, shot byGautam Rajadhyaksha was featured on the cover of the then-popular magazineDebonair[18] and she appeared as the cover girl ofFilmfare in April 1986.[19]
Dixit's next four releases were the dramasSwati (1986),Manav Hatya (1986),Hifazat (1987) andUttar Dakshin (1987). All films were critical and commercial failures.[17] Hifazat marked Dixit's first of several collaborations withAnil Kapoor. In 1988, Dixit had film releases; two of them —Mohre, andKhatron Ke Khiladi —were commercial failures.[20]
In 1988, Dixit acted inDayavan, which was a commercially successful film.[21] Her next release of the year wasN. Chandra's action dramaTezaab, opposite Anil Kapoor. Dixit performance as Mohini, an impoverished and miserable woman compelled to perform dances in order to earn money for her father, earned her mainstream recognition.[22]Tezaab went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year and Dixit received her firstFilmfare Award for Best Actress nomination.[23] The film's success established Dixit as a leading actress of Hindi cinema and marked a significant point in her career.[24] Akshay Shah ofPlanet Bollywood wrote, "Madhuri Dixit also gives a fine tuned performance. Though she is more remembered for her crowd pleasing dance act 'Ek Do Teen', her acting needs to be noted, specially in the scenes where she is pitted againstAnupam Kher."[25]
Her first release of 1989,Vardi, did fairly well at the box office. She next re-united with Anil Kapoor forSubhash Ghai'sRam Lakhan. She played Radha Shastri, a girl who falls in love with her childhood friend, but finds it hard to convince her father.Ram Lakhan was the second highest-grossing Hindi-language film of the year.[26] Dixit's next release was the romantic dramaPrem Pratigyaa, oppositeMithun Chakraborty. Her portrayal of Laxmi Rao, a distraught woman who reforms a local underworld don, earned her a second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[23] Madhuri Dixit was cast oppositeSunny Deol inTrimurti Films' multi-cast thriller filmTridev.[27] It finished up as one of the biggest hits and the third highest-grossing film of the year.[28]
Her next release of the year,Vidhu Vinod Chopra's dramaParinda, co-starring Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff andNana Patekar was another box office hit. She played Paro, a schoolteacher who is killed on her wedding night along with Karan (played by Kapoor) by a gangster (played by Patekar). A major critical success, the film was included inNews18's 2013 list of the "100 greatest Indian films of all time".[29] It was selected as theofficial Indian submission for the 1990Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film but was not nominated.[30] Rediff.com opined that Dixit added "touching vulnerability and soft focus appeal to the heavy duty proceedings".[31] Also that year, afterPrem Pratigyaa she starred inIlaaka,Mujrim (both opposite Mithun Chakraborty) and all three were hits. Other films such asPaap Ka Ant (oppositeGovinda) andKanoon Apna Apna (oppositeSanjay Dutt) was an average grosser.[32]
1990s: Established actress
In 1990, Dixit appeared in nine films. Five of them—Maha-Sangram,Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin,Jeevan Ek Sanghursh,Sailaab andJamai Raja—were commercially unsuccessful. Her next release that year wasRakesh Roshan's action comedyKishen Kanhaiya (alongside Anil Kapoor andShilpa Shirodkar). It tells the story of twin brothers who are separated at birth and re-unite in their youth. Dixit and Shirodkar played the love interests of Kapoor's characters. It was the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year in India.[33] Dixit next played a strong-willed woman in the box-office average action dramaIzzatdaar.[33] She won her firstFilmfare Award for Best Actress for portraying Madhu, a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love with a poorer boy, inIndra Kumar's romantic dramaDil oppositeAamir Khan. It emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year.[33] Rediff.com hailed her performance, commenting "..she showed her range as a performer. She breathed fire as the rebellious lover defying her family, or the forlorn estranged wife longing to be with her ailing better half."[31] Dixit's final release of the year was the action dramaThanedaar, opposite Dutt, which was another commercial hit.[33]
In 1991, Dixit had five film releases, the first of which was the romancePyar Ka Devta. She next starred alongside Jackie Shroff in thepsychological thriller100 Days. She played Devi, a clairvoyant woman who has a vision of a murder and sets out to uncover the truth. The film was a moderately successful.[34] She next starred inSaajan opposite Dutt andSalman Khan. A major critical and commercial success, the film earned Dixit praise for her portrayal of Pooja Saxena, who is in love with her idol – Sagar. She received her fourth Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work in the film.[23][34]T. Rama Rao'sPratikar and Nana Patekar'sPrahaar were her other releases.
In 1992, Dixit starred inSudhir Mishra'sDharavi starringOm Puri,Shabana Azmi and Anil Kapoor.[35] Dixit appears in the film as part of the lead character's (played by Puri) escapist dreams, portraying the fictional version of herself. The film was a jointNFDC-Doordarshan production and went on to win theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[36] Dixit's next release of the year was Kumar's dramaBeta, co-starring Anil Kapoor andAruna Irani. Dixit's portrayal of Saraswati, an educated woman who rebels against her manipulative mother-in-law, earned her critical acclaim. Sukanya Verma mentioned that Dixit delivered "a powerhouse performance against an equally lethal looking Irani, even as Kapoor was overshadowed between the ladies."[31] The film finished up asthe biggest hit of the year[37] and won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[23] Following the film's success, Dixit became famously known as the "Dhak Dhak Girl".Zindagi Ek Juaa,Prem Deewane,Khel andSangeet were her other releases of the year.
In 1993, Dixit appeared inRamesh Talwar'sSahibaan which was commercially successful.[32] Dixit next reunited with Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff in Subhash Ghai's crime dramaKhalnayak. Her portrayal of Ganga, a police officer, who volunteers to go undercover, to trap an escaped criminal, garnered her critical acclaim.India Today wrote, "..she grinds and thrusts in her trademark dhak dhak style. The whistles grow deafening when she stares into the camera, looks at every man in the dark, and promises him her heart-and much more. In one Bangalore theatre, the police were kept on stand-by in case the crowds went berserk."[38] Dixit's performance inKhalnayak earned her a sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and became the second highest-grossing film of the year in India.[23][39]Singeetam Srinivasa Rao'sPhool andLawrence D'Souza'sDil Tera Aashiq were her other releases of the year.
In 1994, Dixit starred in Rahul Rawail's psychological thrillerAnjaam, which marked her first of many collaborations withShah Rukh Khan. Dixit's portrayal of Shivani Chopra, a revenge-seeking wife and mother earned her a seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The film performed moderately well at the box office.[40] Her next release was Rajshri Productions' family dramaHum Aapke Hain Koun..! opposite Salman Khan. The film emerged as one of the biggest hits of Hindi cinema and made₹ 1.35 billion worldwide, breaking the record of the filmSholay (1975). It became thehighest-grossing Hindi film after its theatrical run and held the record for 7 years. Dixit played Nisha, a witty and charming personality who falls in love with her sister's brother-in-law Prem (Khan), but their plans to be together are put in jeopardy when Nisha's sister dies, fetched her a third Filmfare Award for Best Actress and her firstScreen Award for Best Actress.[23] Critics believed the film to be "too sweet" but appreciated Dixit's performance.[41][42] Tripat Narayanan ofNew Straits Times wrote "The Madhuri magic looms large throughout the film. As she emotes through dance, you simply cannot take your eyes off her."[43] In a retrospect review,Rediff wrote, "Madhuri's Nisha was stunning, enthused, plucky and irresistible."[44] Film critic K Hariharan noted, "She is seducing every person on screen, but does it in ways that are so graceful, there is a good balance between profanity and the sacred."[45] The film won twoNational Film Awards, including theBest Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment[46] and in the Millennium Edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records",Hum Aapke Hain Koun becameBollywood's highest-grossing film.[47]
Dixit achieved further success when she reunited with Indra Kumar for the romantic dramaRaja oppositeSanjay Kapoor. She portrayed Madhu, a rich girl who falls for her childhood friend (played by Kapoor), however, she finds it tough to convince her two brothers of this relationship. It emerged asthe third highest-grossing film of the year and its success was attributed to Dixit's immense popularity.[48] She won a second Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance.[23] Her next release wasDavid Dhawan'sYaraana oppositeRishi Kapoor, in which she played Lalita, a dancer on the run from her abusive lover. The film underperformed at the box office.[49] Both the films earned her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[23]
The following year, both her filmsPrem Granth andRajkumar flopped at the box office.[50] In 1997, Dixit received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ketki Singh, a village woman who struggles to confront and defeat the forces of oppression and male domination inPrakash Jha'sMrityudand alongside Shabana Azmi and Shilpa Shirodkar.[51] In a review forIndia Today,Anupama Chopra wrote, " Dixit gives her career's best performance. Simply dressed, she looks stunning and acts even better. She is by turns romantic, vulnerable, angry – the perfect foil to Azmi's long-suffering 'badi bahu'."[52]Screen magazine deemed her portrayal "fiery" and appreciated the lack of glamour in the part.[53] For her performance, Dixit won a third Screen Award for Best Actress.[54] She next starred in the dramasKoyla,Mahaanta andMohabbat. With the exception of Koyla, none of these films performed well either critically or commercially.[55]
She next starred in the N.Chandra-directed dramaWajood (1998) opposite Nana Patekar andMukul Dev. She played Apoorva, a very rich girl who is misunderstood by Malhar, played by Patekar. Suparn Verma ofRediff commented: "..She nevertheless shows that even a weak role cannot stifle her as she animates the screen like only she can. Truly, the coming together of Nana, Madhuri and Chandra in one film is a tour de force."[59] The same year, she appeared in a cameo role in the comedyBade Miyan Chote Miyan, once again playing herself onscreen afterDharavi.[60] Her next and only release of 1999 was the romanceAarzoo (1999) oppositeAkshay Kumar andSaif Ali Khan. Upon release, the film emerged commercially unsuccessful.[61]
2000s: Career downturn and sabbaticals
In 2000, Dixit starred inRajkumar Santoshi'sPukar opposite Anil Kapoor.[62] A love story based on the backdrop of the Indian Army, the film was shot over a course of 350 days.[63] Dixit's portrayal of Anjali, a heartbroken and jealous woman who swears revenge on Jai (played by Kapoor) for rejecting her, garnered her several Best Actress nominations at various award ceremonies, including Filmfare and Screen.[23] A review inFilmfare said that both "Anil Kapoor and Madhuri, veterans in their field, outdo themselves in the film".[64] It won twoNational Film Awards, including theNargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.[65] She then played the title character inGaja Gamini, the first feature film directed by painterM. F. Husain. Hussain got fixated with Dixit, and watched her movieHum Aapke Hain Koun..! several times, and was certain that he would make a film only with her.[66] The film followed the story of Gaja Gamini, who appears in various incarnations asMona Lisa,Shakuntala and others.[67]Pukar was an average grosser, while the latter underperformed at the box office.[68][69]
In 2001, Dixit starred in Deepak Shivdasani's love triangleYeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke oppositeAjay Devgan andPreity Zinta. Upon release, the film met with largely negative reviews.[70] Critic Gautam Buragohain, however, described her as "the saving grace of the film", adding that "she gives a delightful performance".[71] Commercially too, the film failed to do well.[72] Subsequently, Dixit reunited with Rajkumar Santoshi for the social dramaLajja (2001). Dealing with the issue ofgender inequality, Dixit played Janki, a theatre actress who gets pre-maritally pregnant. Anita Bora ofRediff.com wrote: "Madhuri slips into her role as Janaki..with consummate ease..and..dazzles us with a class act."[73] The film was a box-office failure in India but was an overseas success.[72][74] Dixit's performance fetched her aFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination and won her theZee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female.[23][75] Dixit's first release of 2002 was the love triangleHum Tumhare Hain Sanam opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, where she played Radha whose married life blemishes when she gets obsessed with the career of her friend. A remake of directorK. S. Adhiyaman's own Tamil filmThotta Chinungi (1995), the film took six years in making, with huge sabbaticals in between shoots due to several production problems.[76] The film emerged moderately successful at the Indian box office.[77] Few critics noted that the delay made the film look outdated.[78][79]
In 2007, after a five-year hiatus from films, Dixit made her first comeback with a leading role in cinematographerAnil Mehta's dance filmAaja Nachle.[91][92][93] She played Dia, a choreographer who returns to her town to save the endangered theatre where she learnt to dance. A box office failure, the film generated positive reviews for Dixit's portrayal.[94]Rajeev Masand ofCNN-IBN criticised the plot, while he wrote about Dixit's performance: "It's hard to take your eyes off the screen when she's up there, dazzling you with her spontaneity, her easy charm and her 100-watt smile."[95] Her performance earned her another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[23]
2010s: Sporadic work and television focus
Dixit relocated to India with her family in 2011 and was felicitated byFilmfare with aspecial jury recognition for completing 25 years in the Indian film industry.[96] In 2013, Dixit made a special appearance in the romanticcomedy-dramaYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as Mohini, a callback to her character from the 1988 filmTezaab. Dixti appeared in the item song "Ghagra" alongsideRanbir Kapoor.[97]
In 2014, Dixit first starred in the black comedyDedh Ishqiya, a sequel to the 2010 filmIshqiya She played a con-woman, Begum Para, oppositeNaseeruddin Shah,Arshad Warsi andHuma Qureshi and expressed that she agreed to do the film because of the "unapologetic way" directorAbhishek Chaubey presentedVidya Balan's character inIshqiya.[98] The film opened to positive response from critics who called it "one of the year's most important releases".[99][100] Anupama Chopra called Dixit "compelling", while Deepanjana Pal of Firstpost wrote "She's still capable of keeping an audience glued to their seats when the credits start rolling, all because she's dancing on screen.".[101][102] The film earned Dixit her fourteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[103]Dedh Ishqiya earned little at the box-office.[104]
Her next release of the year was debutant directorSoumik Sen'sGulaab Gang, alongsideJuhi Chawla.[22] Dixit portrayed Rajjo, the leader of a women's activist group, inspired by the real vigilante activistSampat Pal Devi and her groupGulabi Gang. Pal filed a case against the film claiming that the makers did not take permission to make a film on her life, but the court later lifted the stay from the film.[105][106] To prepare for her role, Dixit practisedShaolin Kung fu, stick training, andclose combat.[107]Gulaab Gang failed at the box office, earning mixed reviews.[108][109] Subhash K. Jha labelled Dixit's performance and demeanour "inconsistent".[110] However, Sampat Pal claimed that in Dixit's character she finds a "reflection of her own life so stark" that it makes her feel "it was she on screen".[111] The film was a box-office failure.[112]
Four years later, Dixit made her debut inMarathi Cinema with the comedy dramaBucket List. She played Madhura Sane, a middle aged housewife who takes the initiative to complete the bucket list of her deceased teenage heart donor. Dixit garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal; Mihir Bhanage ofThe Times of Indiawrote "Madhuri owns the film and sails through it with flying colours."[113] Kunal Guha ofMumbai Mirror said, "Madhuri Dixit long-overdue debut in Marathi cinema is a comfort watch even if a tad predictable and sappy."[114]
Dixit reunited with Anil Kapoor andAjay Devgn in Indra Kumar's adventure comedyTotal Dhamaal (2019). She portrayed Bindu Patel, who along with a group of people learns about a hidden treasure and then races to claim it. The film received mixed to negative reviews, however, Dixit's performance received a mixed-to-positive reception. Lakshana N Palat ofIndia Today wrote: "The little respite in this adventure-comedy is the pairing of Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, who prove that they still have the same impeccable chemistry and partnership almost two decades later."[115]Total Dhamaal emerged as a major commercial success at the box office, grossing more than₹200 crore (US$24 million) worldwide, and ranks as theninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[116] Dixit produced the MarathiNetflix drama15 August under her production company RnM Moving Pictures.[117][118] In an interview withScroll.in, Dixit said, "The film is about the freedom to love, the freedom to choose your career and the freedom to die".[119]
She next starred inAbhishek Varman'speriodromantic dramaKalank, featuring anensemble cast includingSonakshi Sinha,Alia Bhatt,Varun Dhawan,Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt.[120] Set in the 1940s prior to thepartition of India, the film featured her as Bahaar Begum, the madam of a brothel. Saibal Chatterjee ofNDTV wrote, "In the blinding glow of Dixit's presence as a nautch girl who can turn on the magic at will, the younger cast members pale somewhat in comparison. She lights up the screen as only she can, pushing the others to strive harder."[121] It did not perform well at the box office; however, she earned a third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.[122][123]
2020s
Dixit was the lead actress in the 2022 Netflix family mystery seriesThe Fame Game, where she played a high-profile actress.[124] The same year, she portrayed a housewife struggling with hersexual identity in the Amazon Prime Video releaseMaja Ma. Rachana Dubey fromThe Times of India found Dixit to have delivered a "lived-in" performance.[125]
After producing the Marathi-language comedy-dramaPanchak in 2023,[126] in 2024, she played a ghost in the horror comedyBhool Bhulaiyaa 3, starring alongsideKartik Aaryan,Triptii Dimri, andVidya Balan. The film emerged to be one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year.
Dixit has participated in several stage shows, concert tours and televised award ceremonies. Since the mid-1990s to early 2000s, she performed at the "Madhuri Dixit Live" concert in India, the Middle East and United States.[137] In 2000, she performed at the Pepsi W2K Millennium Concert in Mumbai.[138]
The same year, she joined the fourth instalment of "Temptation Reloaded" where she performed with Khan,Rani Mukerji, Fernandez andMeiyang Chang inAuckland,Perth,Sydney and Dubai;[141] and in 2014 she performed in Malaysia with Khan, Mukerji and Arijit Singh.[142][143] Dixit also performed in SLAM! The Tour which was held in the US, Canada, and London.[144]
In 2013, Dixit launched her own online dance academy "Dance With Madhuri", where the users get an opportunity to learn to dance various dance styles and have one-on-one lessons.[147]
Music
Dixit has sung small portions in a few songs from her films like "Kaahe Chhed" fromDevdas and "Soniye Mil Ja" fromAaja Nachle, composed byBirju Maharaj andSalim–Sulaiman respectively.[148] For her 2014 filmGulaab Gang, Dixit sang the traditional folk song "Rangi Sari Gulaabi Chunariya" alongside her mother Snehlata Dixit, composed and recreated for the film by its directorSoumik Sen.[149]
Dixit made her official singing debut in 2020 with an English single, "Candle", dedicating it to frontline workers fighting theCOVID-19 pandemic.[150][151] She released a second single, "Tu Hai Mera", in 2022.[152]
Social and humanitarian work
During her years in the film industry, Dixit has been actively involved in promoting children's education and the safety of women. She featured in a series of one-minute telespots on preventing AIDS for the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society in 2000.[153] In 2001, Dixit won₹ 5,000,000 onKaun Banega Crorepati, agame show then in its first season on the air. She donated her winnings for the welfare of the victims of2001 Gujarat earthquake and to anorphanage in Pune.[154]
In 2009, Dixit performed forNDTVToyota Greenathon—India's first-ever nationwide campaign for saving the environment and creating awareness about environmental issues.NDTV organisedIndia's first 24-hour live telethon, a fund-raising event that brings in people to donate money to support TERI's initiative—Lighting a Billion Lives which aims at providing solar power to villages without electricity.[155][156]
On 3 February 2011, Dixit spent an evening with 75orphanage kids of farmers at anashram inTrimbakeshwar and participated in the birthdays of two children: Hrishikesh and Rani. "We artists are ready to help such children. People from the higher society should come forward and stand firmly behind them," she said on the occasion.[157] Dixit is aGoodwill Ambassador and a patron for "Emeralds for Elephants" – a charity project for the conservation ofAsian elephants and other endangered species. The project has been designed to create awareness and raise vital funds for the protection of the critically endangered Asian elephant. A collaborative project between theWorld Land Trust (a UK based nonprofitenvironmental organisation) and theWildlife Trust of India that is creating protectedwildlife corridors connectingNational Parks and protected areas to others. Speaking about the issue she said: "Elephants are one of my favourite animals and I love them. So what we need to do today is to see how we can preserve our animals. I feel very strongly about this."[158] Two years later, she made donations to theUttarakhand flood relief.[159]
In June 2013, while shooting for thesixth season ofJhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Dixit rescued seven puppies who were drenched in rain. Interrupting the shoot, Dixit, along with her husband Sriram Nene and the show's director Saahil Chhabria contactedPETA, waiting till the volunteers arrived. In response, Sachin Bangera ofPETA India said, "It's been raining cats and dogs and many puppies and kittens are now in need of good homes. Madhuri Dixit, Dr Nene and Saahil Chhabria's kind deed will inspire many to come forward to help animals in distress."[160]
In January 2014, Dixit and her husband, on behalf of PETA wrote letter toKolhapur MLA Vinay Kore, requesting him to ensure relocation of the elephant Sunder to a sanctuary – "(Sunder) has scars on his legs and cowers in fear and pain because he is being beaten by his mahout," "He should live free from suffering, in the company of other elephants, and have the opportunity to roam vast distances".[161]
Since 2014, Dixit began working withUNICEF to advocate therights of children and preventchild labour andchild trafficking.[162] She participated in a fashion show organised by Lilavati hospital, to support the 'Save & Empower the Girl Child' initiative by the organisation.[163] The same year, theGovernment of Madhya Pradesh appointed her as the brand ambassador for its Mamta Abhiyaan (maternal and child health) campaign.[164] Dixit collaborated withVogue for its Vogue Empower series on a short film on gender policing, 'Boys don't cry', directed byVinil Mathew.[165] She was appointed as the brand ambassador for theBeti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, by the Government of India in 2015, that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls.[166] She lent her voice for narrating the story of one of the eight girls who featured in Girl Rising: Woh Padhegi, Woh Udegi, a film on the education and empowerment of girls.[167] Dixit was appointed the brand ambassador and launched MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection), a flagship programme to ensure adequate awareness is generated on the benefits of breastfeeding.[168]
Additionally, Dixit has made public appearances to support charities and causes. On 4 February 2012, Madhuri Dixit interacted with Cancer affected children onWorld Cancer Day which was organised byPawan Hans Helicopters Ltd atJuhu,Mumbai.[169] In 2013, she launchedSanofi India's campaign onWorld Diabetes Day (WDD), that encourages people to take proactive steps to effectively prevent, manage and control diabetes.[170] A year later, on 24 February 2014, she visited a school in Andheri, Mumbai to support the "Support My School" campaign.[171] She participated in 'Set Beautiful Free'– an event by One Foundation to provide home, education, food and healthcare to the daughters of trafficking victims.[172] In 2018, she attended a charity event by 'Nanhi Kali' NGO.[173]
On 17 March 2019, Dixit and her family adopted an abandoned puppy rescued by PETA India. She said, "Abandoning a companion dog or cat is the cruelest thing to do. I'm happy we will be able to give this pup a new lease of life,".[174]
In March 2021, Dixit along with other Bollywood actorsJohn Abraham,Shilpa Shetty andSunny Leone joined PETA India for its 20th anniversary. In the virtual party, awards were given to those who have been championing animal rights. Dixit recalling joining the organisation to help elephants recalled, "From there on it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Two years ago, my family adopted Carmelo, a cherished dog, from PETA India. Since then, I urge everyone I see to adopt a dog or a cat from the shelter or from the street."[175]
False representation in endorsements
In May–June 2015 theTamil Nadu Consumer's Forum sent her notices for "false representation" in advertisements ofMaggi, a noodle brand in which toxic levels of lead were found.[176] She continued endorsing the safety of the product on Twitter, even when food regulators had already found more than 17 times the permissible limits of lead and the product was banned.[177]
Reception and legacy
Artistry
Dixit on the ramp forPC Jeweller at the grand finale of India International Jewellery Week 2012
Dixit is regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential actresses of Indian cinema.[178][179][180][181][182] Throughout the late 1980s, the 1990s and the early 2000s, Dixit was among the highest-paid actresses in the Indian entertainment industry.[183][184] In 2000, theGuinness World Records book featured her as the highest-paid Indian actress.[5] Dixit was placed at the first position by NDTV in 2012, in the listing of "The most popular Bollywood actresses of all time".[185] The next year, she was placed at the fourth position, behindAmitabh Bachchan,Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan and topped among female actors as the greatest Bollywood star in a UK poll celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema.[186] The same year, in a national poll conducted byCNN-IBN on the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema, Dixit was voted at the second position, behindSridevi, as "India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years".[187] In 2017, Dixit topped anIndia Today poll as the most popular actress of Hindi cinema till date.[2]
Dixit has a significant following in theSouth Asian diaspora.[188][189][190][191] While analysing her career,Reuters published, "In her prime, Dixit was the undisputed queen of Bollywood, the world's largest film industry by audience size, and her popularity and fees rivaled even the biggest male stars."[192] Throughout her career, Dixit has played roles in both mainstream productions and independent films, and appeared in a range of film genres,[193] with Saibal Chatterjee ofOutlook creditingHum Aapke Hain Koun..! as metamorphosing Dixit into a "subcontinental icon".[194]The New York Times called Dixit, "India's biggest female star".[195]
Discussing her performances,Baradwaj Rangan labelled her as "the last of the all-in-one female stars who could do drama and comedy and dance"[196] andFirstpost called her, "one of the last superstars of Hindi cinema", praising her performances inLajja,Devdas andDedh Ishqiya.[197] In 2010, Filmfare Magazine included her performance from Mrityudand in its list of "80 Iconic Performances".[198] Dixit is credited in the media for her versatility and achieving a "balance of critical acclaim and commercial success."[199][200][201]
In addition to acting, she has been noted for her skills as a dancer.[202][203][204] Kathak dancerPandit Birju Maharaj, who choreographed Dixit inDevdas, calls her "the best Bollywood dancer" due to her versatility.[205]Saroj Khan, who has collaborated with her on numerous occasions, calls her a "choreographer's delight".[206]Hindustan Times attributed her for giving a 'technical twist' to dance sequences in Hindi films.[207] Dixit was the muse for Indian painterM. F. Husain. He got fascinated by Dixit's performance inHum Aapke Hain Koun..!; watching the film 67 times, and booked an entire theatre to see her comebackAaja Nachle.[208] He made a series of paintings of her, and in 2000 directedGaja Gamini starring her, which was intended as a tribute to Dixit herself.[209]
Dixit featured in Box Office India'sTop Actresses list for ten consecutive years (1988–97).[210] In 2001,Forbes placed her at fifth position in the list of "top five most powerful Indian film stars".[1] In 2002 and 2014, Dixit featured in Rediff's annual "Top Bollywood Actresses" listing.[211][212] She has been featured frequently on other Rediff lists, including "Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses",[213] "Bollywood's Best Actresses Ever"[214] and "Top 10 Bollywood Actresses of all Time".[215]The Economic Times featured her in the list of "33 women who made India proud" in 2010.[216] In 1997, theGovernment of Andhra Pradesh honoured her with the "Kalabhinetri Award".[217] In 2001, Dixit was awarded the National Citizens' Award for her work and contribution to Indian cinema.[218] In 2008, theGovernment of India honoured her with thePadma Shri for her contribution toIndian Cinema.[219] TheSathyabama University honoured her as the "Inspiring Icon of India" in 2015.[220] An unauthorised biography of her namedMadhuri Dixit, written by professor Nandana Bose was released in 2019.[221]
Dixit is frequently referred to as one of the most attractive Indian celebrities and has been described as asex symbol.[222][223] Her eyes, sex appeal and urban looks have been cited by the media as her distinctive features; her smile being identified as her trademark.[224][225][226][227] She featured inThe Times of India's list of 50 Beautiful Faces of cinema andHindustan Times called her "a classic Indian beauty".[228][229] Her look and performances have established her as a style icon.[230][231][232][233][234] In 2007, 2013–16 and 2018, the UK magazineEastern Eye ranked her as one of "World's Sexiest Asian Women".[235][236][237]
Sangetsar Tso lake inArunachal Pradesh was renamedMadhuri Lake after her, where a song fromKoyla was picturised.[238] She has a star named after her in the Orion constellation.[239] In March 2012, a wax figure of Dixit was put on display in London'sMadame Tussaud'swax museum.[240] In 2017, two other figures were displayed at Madame Tussaud's Museum in Singapore and Delhi.[241][242] Every year since its inception in 2012, Dixit has featured onForbes India's "Celebrity 100," a list based on the income and popularity of India's celebrities with the exception of 2017.[243][244][245] In 2018, she was among the twenty Indians invited for the Oscar Academy's Class of 2018.[246]
Personal life
Dixit with husband Shriram Nene, at their reception in 1999
Amidst media speculation on her personal life, Dixit married Shriram Madhav Nene, a cardiovascular surgeon from Los Angeles, California on 17 October 1999, in a traditional ceremony held at the residence of Dixit's elder brother in Southern California.[247][248][249] Nene had never seen any of her films, and was unaware of her celebrity status.[250] Dixit explained their relationship by saying, "It was very important that he didn't know me as an actress because then he would know me as a person first. When people have seen you as an actress, they have pre-conceived notions... None of it was there here with him. I found the right person, I wanted to get married and I did."[251] Dixit and Nene's wedding reception in Mumbai was attended by several prominent Indian personalities, including thenChief Minister of MaharashtraVilasrao Deshmukh,Shivsena chiefBal Thackeray,Dilip Kumar,Saira Banu,Yash Chopra,Sridevi, and many others.[248]
Following her marriage, Dixit relocated toDenver,Colorado, for over a decade. On 17 March 2003, Dixit gave birth to a son, Arin. Two years later, on 8 March 2005, she gave birth to another son, Ryan.[252] She described motherhood as "amazing" and added that her kids kept "the child in her alive".[253]
Dixit moved back toMumbai with her family in October 2011.[254] Speaking about it, Dixit said, "I always love being here. I have grown up here in Mumbai so for me it is like coming back home. It was a different phase in my life, where I wanted to have a home, family, husband and children... everything that I had dreamt of."[255]
In 2018, Dixit along with her husband, founded the production company, RnM Moving Pictures.[256] They both also together earned orange belts intaekwondo.[257]
In a popular scene from the 1994 cult comedyAndaz Apna Apna, Dixit's photo appears on the cover of a film magazine.[261] Amar (played byAamir Khan) jokingly teases Prem (played bySalman Khan), implying he was once engaged to Dixit — pointing to her photo as part of the gag.[261]
In the song "Maine Kal Ek Sapna Dekha" from the 1997 filmSanam, Dixit's name is playfully referenced in the final line. The song, featuringSanjay Dutt dreaming about various Bollywood actresses, ends with the declaration: “Banegi Madhuri Meri Dulhan” ("Madhuri will become my bride").[262]
In the hit song "Tan Tana Tan Tan" from the 1997 comedyJudwaa, Dixit's name is mentioned alongsideGovinda's in a playful lyric.[263] The song was later recreated for the film's2017 remake, but the line referencing the two stars was omitted.[263]
In the 1998 romantic comedy-dramaKuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dixit’s name is humorously referenced during a summer camp scene where characters playDumb Charades. Rahul (played byShah Rukh Khan) guesses the film by exclaiming, “Mummy, Madhuri Dixit!” before namingHum Aapke Hain Koun..!, in a nod to Dixit’s iconic role in that film.[265]
In the mystery thrillerAjnabee (2001), there's a comedic moment where the character L.P. (played byNarendra Bedi) tells C.D. (played by Amita Nangia) that she's not Champa Devi (C.D.) but "M.D." — to which she coyly responds by calling herself "Madhuri Dixit."[266]
Before the release ofSanju (2018), a biopic on Sanjay Dutt, it was speculated in the media that television actressKarishma Tanna would be portraying Madhuri Dixit in the film.[272] However, the film did not feature any direct reference to Dixit.[273]
^Handoo, Ritika (15 May 2015)."Let's get to know Madhuri Dixit better!".Zee News.Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved24 April 2016.A star kid was born to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, a Marathi family.
^Parsa, Raghu Chandra (27 January 2012)."The biggest winners".The Indian Express. Indian Express Limited.Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved17 September 2012.
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