From iconic dance performances and unforgettable films to her resilience and timeless screen presence, Madhuri Dixit has remained one of Indian cinema’s most loved stars for decades. On her birthday, Filmfare’s Editor-In-Chief Jitesh Pillaai looks back at his memories of watching her perform, rehearse and shine through the years, while reflecting on the craft, grace and emotional depth that make her truly special.
In Jitesh Pillaai’s words:
Every birthday deserves a replug of my favourite Madhuri Dixit nugget: “Hey, I’m rehearsing at Sathyam hall in Juhu, you want to come?”
Many years ago, at Filmfare Awards, she mesmerised with her redux on everything from Madhubala’s Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya to Rekha ji’s In Ankhon Ki Masti to her own Ghar More Pardesiya. My favourite performance of the night.
She’s a true movie star who can emote at the drop of a hat and can wing it with her twinkle toes. Just like that. Even in the most banal of films, she wowed. Catch her in her Sangeet, where she brings layers and grit to a run-of-the-mill product.
She went away for almost a decade to Denver at the right time to have her babies, and now that the kids have grown up and are independent, she has come back to dazzle again. Especially memorable for me are her Filmfare Awards night performances with Shah Rukh Khan. In one word, she’s terrific. On the cusp of another Netflix web series, Madhuri is all set to soar and spread her wings. In her cool, collected manner. No drama, no aggression, her stoicism is what is part of her appeal.
Behind that backlit beauty and soft-focus curls is a damaged soul. You can see it spades when she is at the psychiatrist’s, trying to heal her son. When she envelopes her daughter and tells her it’s okay because she will make it okay. This is not a review of the Fame Game but a tribute to the performance of a virtuoso actor, Madhuri Dixit.
That she’s an incomparable beauty is a given, but that she plays emotions seamlessly like the strings of a sitar. The welter of storms that lie beyond that beautiful face. When she stoically faces abuse, when she gets her heartbroken and when she’s let down by her avaricious mother and her scheming husband reminiscent of the Amol
Palekar and Sulabha Deshpande’s chapter in Bhumika.
She shows you yet again that showbiz will pay you a zillion dollars for your dazzling smile but zilch for your heartfelt tears.
Nobody can beat her when it comes to song and dance. Now she shows you her soul too, oceans of pain and years of craft.
If only she had been aided by better writing. The scenes when she’s with her family, she’s top-notch, conveying the trials and tribulations of a life beyond the mask. It’s the razzle dazzle filmi portions which often don’t work, but she’s, as always, excellent.
The cop Saxena, who looks at her with disdain and then grows to respect Anamika Anand’s craft, is also a tribute to Madhuri Dixit’s metier. Behind the practice of hand waving at awards functions and glossy photoshoots is a hot mess of betrayal, being let down, and keeping your game face on. Ms Dixit shows us again how it’s done.
Sample her glance and throwaway lines when she reduces a young heroine on the red carpet to dust with one toss-away line. You can’t touch this!
Happy birthday, Madhuri Dixit.
