The Magic of Madhuri

For the past seven days we have been celebrating the gorgeous diva Madhuri Dixit and her contribution to Indian cinema. Whatever could be said, was said. Whatever could be posted, made it´s way to internet. And still there is so much uncovered ground! Because I know that many people are still working on something, I decided to ignore the deadline given by the May 15th. Everyone is most welcome to send me the links to their articles during the next week also, you can be sure I shall add it to this post too.


And so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADHURI-JI. For all the smiles, for all the dances, for all the emotions you have shared with us through your craft. You remain very much loved and in eyes of many unmatchable. This all is dedicated to you as an expression of love your fans and well-wishers, as an appreciation of all cinema lovers. Happy birthday to you.

And here comes the promised logo made by Vishal K Bharadwaj. And he has done a brilliant job! (thank you!!) All the participants are most welcome to use the image on their blogs if they want to!

And here are the articles published under The Magic of Madhuri week banner, in order as they were published:


Madhuri Dixit - when name weaves magic

Madhuri. What else? 

Ankhiya Milao Kabhi Ankhiyan Churao 

When dil goes dhak dhak (part 1)  

When dil goes dhak dhak (part 2)  

The Magic of Madhuri - Dhak Dhak karne laga 

Why do I love Madhuri Dixit? 

Can Madhuri´s magic be captured? 

Madhuri´s forgotten dances 

You watched Koyla? Bloody fool! 

Madhuri and her men 

Madhuri loved and hated 

Reflections about the screen jodi Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit 

How do you solve a problem like Madhuri?  

Aaja Nachle 

Koyla 

Que Sera Sera 

“Zindagi Ek Juaa” Madhuri as drug fiend! 

Madhuri´s interview for Movie magazine, 1996 

When Madhuri Dixit was a South Indian Film Hero (Two Degrees of Prakash Raj) 

It’s been three years since I last did a post for Madhuri Dixit’s birthday… 

How to dress like Madhuri 

Madhuri Dixit - the ultimate woman 

Madhuri Mania: My favourite Madhuri Dixit songs 

Mujhe Neend Na Aaye 

How I wasn´t happy when Madhuri Dixit signed a new film 

Love you Raja 

Madhuri signs Satte Pe Satta Remake 

How to eat a hero

Looking for Magic 

Happy birthday

Those are all the articles I have received. If I have forgotten any, do not hesitate and let me know! Thank you all for participating and making this week special!!!

How to eat a hero

The gorgeous man-eater

If you should just like that, on the spot, remember some of Madhuri´s male co-stars, the names to spring into your mind will be Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan and Jackie Shroff. Then you just might remember Mithun Chakraborthy as well as Rishi Kapoor. The truth is that after she completely overruled Anil in Beta (1992) and whenever a film of hers flopped with people saying she was the only good thing in it, she quickly gained a reputation of a woman who tears her co-stars apart and „eats them“. It was said that many actors were apprehensive of acting alongside her, because she was sure to overshadow them. This was a rare quality which, as far as I know, only two other women possessed – Madhubala and Sridevi. Not even Anil, Jackie or Salman for hat matter were saved. I honestly believe she only found a true match as far as screen presence, charisma and skills are concerned in Shahrukh and Aamir. But let´s take a look at some of her lesser known victims.

Tapas Pal was Madhuri´s first hero. Her debut film Abodh was meant to be his entry into Bollywood. He originates from Calcutta and these days he´s into politics, while his co-star, whom he launched (though unsuccessfully) is Bollywood legend. Abodh however turned out to be his first and only film in Hindi. In between 1991-2000 he had no film releases whatsoever, most recently he appeared in a movie „I love you“ from 2007. You cannot really talk about any chemistry between the two actors. Madhuri was too young and too inexperienced, plus the film was about marital misunderstanding. Still they did look well together, and Abodh remains a sweet film thanks to their pairing. They were not even remotely sizzling, but definitely pleasant to watch. And funny to say that even though Tapas was an experienced actor, it was the debuting girl who left some impact.

Vinod Khanna. Alright, you would remember the fact he was paired opposite Madhuri because of that super infamous scene in Dayavan. I think it is sad not many bother to see further. Vinod Khanna was much older then Madhuri and their couple could be perhaps seen as Shahrukh/Deepika of their time. They were paired opposite each other in two films. First it was Dayavan – and the kissing scene, during which Madhuri was so desperately uncomfortable, never really bothered me. The couple was just married after all, and there was no eating of each other´s heads anyway with sensual music in the background. Dayavan (1988) actually had several truly beautiful romantic moments and one could feel peace and silent love from the relationship. The second film was Mahasangram from 1990. Here Madhuri had a rather insignificant, but truly hilarious role and kept the film from being too depressing. We do not see much of a relationship here. She simply meets him, robs him, saves him, dances for him, he saves her life and they get married. While in Dayavan I actually quite liked them together, in Mahasangram they did not have any effect whatsoever. Madhuri was there for herself and not as a half of any couple. And she did a splendid job.

One of the most touching moments of Dayavan.

Sunny Deol appeared with Madhuri in two films. First one was a hit Tridev (1989), in which they were husband and wife, but considering they are violently separated very early in the film, there is not much jodi-ness going on. We do get a beautiful love song though. The second time they acted alongside each other was 12 years later in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke. In this forgotten (THANK GOD) Sunny was her friend, whom she refuses to marry, since she is in love with somebody else. Thus we can mention Ajay Devgn. YRHPK had him as the main lead in a double role, and Madhuri romanced „both“ Ajays, though only one was interested in her. While Sunny and Madhuri looked good together and I wouldn´t mind seeing more of them even today, Ajay Devgn is one man with whom she shares a truly zero chemistry. He is brilliant actor. She is brilliant actress. But they simply don´t work. After the film Ajay admitted he always felt dwarfed by her acting.

Sunny and Madhuri just engaged. Jackie was Madhuri´s brother in the film.

With Ajay Devgan. Chemistry, kahan ho tum?

Sanjay Kapoor´s name accompanied Madhuri´s in two films – first time it was in Raja in 1995. The film by Indra Kumar was meant to be his way to the Bollywood height, but even though the film was a big hit, all credit was given to Madhuri. Not only her skills and experience was far greater, but Sanjay Kapoor, though an OK actor, completely lacks any screen presence and Madhuri pretty much reduced him to ashes, though of course not intentionally. Sanjay Kapoor did not stand a chance at all. Next time they met on the silver screen he was in love with her, but she was not in love with him, though thanks to a dream sequence we got to see them romantically involved for a moment. That was in Mohabbat (1997). And Mohabbat also marked Madhuri´s first working association with Akshaye Khanna. Madhuri was thus one of the three actresses (other two being Hema Malini and Sridevi) to romance both father and son. And she had better chemistry with the son, though he is seven years younger. She did look older then him in the film, which did not at least bother me, because she still looked gorgeous, and you know, older women do romance younger guys in real life pretty often. But for many narrow minded people this was a big problem, and reviews more then about the film talked about her 9 years old kissing scene with Akshaye´s father. How professional. Second time that gave us a chance to see Akshaye with Madhuri was ten years later in Aaja Nachle. His hair loss obviously made up for any visible age difference and there was not one complaint. And while in Mohabbat they were cute, in Aaja Nachle they were sizzling! This is one couple I´d love to see again.

You know without the man on the left it would be a perfect picture.

As far as I know (and I can be wrong as I have not seen all Madhuri´s movies) Chunky Panday too shared the screen space with the diva two times. In Tezaab (1989) I can´t actually recall any scenes he would share with Madhuri, except for driving the car while she and Anil Kapoor are being miserable about their romance not going too well. He got his chance to woo Madhuri in 1991 in Khilaaf, and well, he screwed up. Madhuri´s unbounding passion in the film, be it connected to love or hate, was just overwhelming, while he managed to make a complete idiot out of himself in the first part, and rather unconvincing tragic lover in the second. To look at them was pleasant. To watch him act with her not so much.

No matter what, this song was amazing...

Nana Patekar was never trying to hide his deep admiration towards La Dixit and even was heard reciting poetry dedicated to her during his interviews. Their working relationship covers several films, but they were never romantically paired in the true sense. In Mohre (1987), Parinda (1989) and Prahaar (1991) they had very limited number of scenes together (if any at all). This change with 1999 film Wajood. Not even this was a „jodi“, because Nana plays a stalker in love with Madhuri, and their only romance takes place in his dreams and imagination. The chemistry between them was great though. I always say you don´t have to be a romantic pair to have a chemistry, and this applies to Nana/Madhuri combo. Just watch their final confrontation scene in the theater to know what I mean. The explosion of superb acting of the two will blow you away. Nana did survive.

Talent and charisma overload.

Very similarly like in Mohabbat, there was a love triangle in another OK-ish film Aarzoo (1999). In it Madhuri was paired with Akshay Kumar. They have already appeared together in Dil To Pagal Hai, but there he has more of a cameo role and she belonged to Shahrukh Khan (after all, the most beautiful lady belongs to the sexiest man, no?). In Aarzoo he got her undivided attention and it was really nice to see their pairing. I found them refreshing, though poor Akshay did not stand a chance against Madhuri in attention grabbing.... or other things. Saif Ali Khan, apart from admitting his naughtiest fantasy is to kiss Madhuri´s navel, also became a victim to Madhuri´s aura.

With Akshay...

...and with the guy who has naughty thoughts about her navel.

There are two more names that come to my mind: Samir Soni was lucky enough to make a couple with Madhuri in Lajja. True, we did not get to see much more apart him being a complete ass and ruining her dreams. But I wouldn´t mind seeing them together again, as I think Samir is a fine actor and well, they looked good. Finally we have Kumar Gaurav. He and Madhuri made a completely forgettable film Phool together in 1993. Do I really have to say that she ate them all up as was her habit?

How I wasn´t happy when Madhuri Dixit signed a new film

I have waited for a year. Quite a short time when compared to other fans, who had to wait for four. And between Devdas and Aaja Nachle there was even a greater gap. But it still felt terribly long and I´m sure all the fans understand why. To see Madhuri Dixit in at least one more film has been my great desire ever since I´ve become addicted to Bollywood. I was imagining myself jumping around the room, screaming with joy when she finally announces a new film. Yesterday her new film was announced. And I..... am not happy.

I feel rather disoriented to be honest. The burning desire to see her perform and sizzle hasn´t died out, but I would rather keep my wishes and dreams, then to see a film that would not be good enough. And since Aaja Nachle had so undeservingly only a little success, as a fan I was hoping for something smashingly successful. And the film announced does not fill me with any hope whatsoever.

Sanjay Dutt has obviously roped her into his remake of Satte Pe Satta, which originally starred Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. There are no doubts that she will be amazing, but I honestly was hoping for something like Bhansali´s Mastani, or something new, original, mature, worthy of her immense talent. I guess I would be happy, if it was certain that Madhuri will sign other projects for upcoming years as well. But that is that one problem with being Madhuri´s fan – you never know when she will appear and there is absolutely no telling how long will the gap in between her projects be. Sure, the best thing to happen would be an adult drama/romance/masala with Shahrukh for me, but there are others amazing ideas – and mainly co-stars who I´d like to see her with. Leave alone Aamir and Salman, there is Saif Ali Khan, who I believe would be a terrific match for her, and there is Akshaye Khanna, especially since he and Madhuri looked so awesome together in Aaja Nachle and we never got to see any real „relationship“ happening in the film. Or if you really want to bring her back with an older actor, there is always Anil Kapoor and there is Jackie Shroff. To be honest out of all the co-stars I think Sanju Baba hasn´t aged well, and I never saw him more then just a good actor (meaning not great – and I beg forgiveness from all his fans).

Back then they looked good together. But times have changed and I have my apprehensions.

One also longs for that one role that will be to Madhuri what „Mother India“ was to Nargis and „Mughal-E-Azam“ to Madhubala, what „Umrao Jaan“ was to Rekha. The closest thing to something like that was Chandramukhi in Devdas, but there is still that little fact she was considered a supporting character.

Also Satte Pe Satta has many supporting characters. So did Aaja Nachle, but there all the supporting cast was just amazing, and I pray this will be the same case. But there are more things I dread. I personally have not yet seen Sohal Shah´s previous work (he is the director), but what I heard filled me with horror! That is my biggest concern. Sometimes I wish Madhuri actually did care whom she´s working with.....

Well, all I can say now is that it is rather hard for me to make peace with this news. I´ll try to block out everything else and concentrate only on the fact that Madhuri is doing a film. And I will pray it turns out good. And that it won´t bomb at the box office. Because I can see happening just that.....

And that is why I was not happy when Madhuri Dixit signed her new film.
---------------------
17.5. 2011 - UPDATE:

After the first shock washed over (mainly over the choice of a hero and director) and after I saw the original Satte Pe Satta, I am slowly regaining my optimism. All I to say now:

Madhuri - best of luck, we know you´ll be amazing!

Sanjay - best of luck, get into shape!

Sohal Shah - if you screw up, I´m gonna kill you!

everybody else - go and see this in a theater when it comes out!

Madhuri Dixit - the ultimate woman

You may have already seen it on youtube, as I´ve not made this recently, but here comes another of my Madhuri tribute videos. Hopefully you will like it!

Madhuri´s interview for Movie magazine, 1996

You know what is curious about old Madhuri´s interviews? That you can hardly recognize any change in her. Be it interviews she gave after Tezaab or the post-Devdas ones, she always remained dignified, friendly but not over-familiar, and very much maintaining the same views on life and work in general. True, little things did change. She gained confidence. And recently also opened up much more.

I find it amusing and funny going through some old magazines and reading her answers to certain questions. I recall clearly how she complained, that everytime she leaves for holiday in America journalists link her with a NRI doctor. "Why is it always a doctor? Why not other professions as well?" she claimed. She also stated that she didn´t have hobbies beyond the ones connected with acting, and specifically mentioned she doesn´t do scuba-diving and other stuff. I´m sure she herself would smile at those interviews today, before grabbing her schnorkel and diving into the water right after her husband heart-surgeon.

As a part of The Magic of Madhuri week I bring you her interview for Movie magazine from October 1996. You shall see for yourself, that she stayed the same. Hamaari Madhuri.

(click the image for bigger view)

Aaja Nachle

Directed by: Anil Mehta

Starring: Madhuri Dixit, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Irffan Khan, Divya Dutta, Ranvir Shorey, Akshaye Khanna

Released: 2007

There are things in this world that my brain simply cannot understand. Maths is one of them. I simply don´t get it. Or why every time I think I´m alone and can sing using a comb as a microphone, somebody just has to turn up. Or why did Aaja Nachle had so little success in India. That film had everything you could ask for. A perfect entertainer. It never promised to be anything else. And it worked. It worked great. So..... what exactly went wrong? The truth is that overseas Aaja Nachle did well, even became hit in Canada, and it seems it will be one of those unsuccessful movies, that will stand the test of time nontheless, after all it is one of the most sought out DVDs.

Madhuri Dixit is back was screaming the trailer. And the same thing decorated all the posters. After Devdas in 2002 Madhuri settled permanently in the US with her husband and gave birth to two boys, and Aaja Nachle was her „comeback“ vehicle. It is actually interesting to see parallels between Madhuri´s real life and the film story she has chosen to do after the hiatus.

I´m back and my smile is more gorgeous than ever!

New York is full of NRIs. Forget for a moment there are Saif and Preity running around somewhere while Shahrukh is singing Kal Ho Naa Ho, and focus on a certain dance studio. It belongs to Diya, who teaches others to dance. She is divorced, raising a daughter, and overally quite satisfied with her life. But then a call from India comes and it seems that the man who once taught her to dance (and live, as we come to know a bit later) is on his deathbed. Without a second though Diya packs her things and together with her child catches the next plane to India, uncertain of what she might find. Because eleven years ago, she secretly run away from her native, sleepy and dusty little town of Shamli, following her heart and an American man, who had promised to love her forever (yadda yadda yadda...... sometimes watching Hindi films doesn´t help in life). Her parents were forced to leave the town in embarassement, her fiancé suffered a heavy heart-break, her guru (largely blamed for seeding that silly stubborness and independence in her) ostracised and her name became a synonym of shame.

Upon her arrival Diya finds out her guru has just passed away, and left her a mission: to save Ajanta theater, a place that once was full of life, dance, songs, and was pretty much the only source of entertainment for the locals. But ever since Diya has run away, Ajanta remained empty, because other parents did not want their children to „be another Diya“. And now the old theater is to be demolished to make place for a new shopping mall (globalization, here we come!). Deeply disturbed Diya pleads (well, if you want to call it like that, because she is a rather tough cookie) with local MP Rajasaab, but he refuses to stop the demolition. However he is amused (and she outraged) and they make a deal. If in two months Diya manages to pull off a theatrical performance starring the local people, and will gain success from the audience, Ajanta will remain untouched. If not, it will be torn down. Diya is full of optimism, but it turns out her bad reputation is still too well known in the city, plus there seems to be not one talented person, whom she could use in her planned adaptation of Laila-Majnu...

Just what did I want to say...?

Oh yeah. It´s cool to have five fingers.

Sure she´s going to win in the end, against all odds. After all...... this is Madhuri Dixit we are talking about! And the villains are made of vanilla, especially the „bad guy“ Raja. None of the characters is primarily bad or evil. They just usually suffer from some shortcoming. One lusts power, other lusts money, and another lusts Madhuri (though that is not a shortcoming, that means he is a normal guy). There are many characters in Aaja Nachle, and you cannot help but to love them all. The main romantic subplot is happening between Konkona Sen Sharma in the role of a tomboy Anokhi and a goon Kunal Kapoor as Imran, and they both are excellent. Their chemistry is beautiful to watch and they compliment each other well, be it in acting or looks. Their jodi is one of my favourites, and I´m keeping a faint hope of seeing them again sometime in the future. They both go through a change. While Imran realizes that even strong macho guys can sing, dance, love and not be embarrased, Anokhi realizes that she doesn´t have to change inside to get her boy, but one should look after herself a bit, and she too matures, seeing that love just may not be a kid´s game. Especially Konkona was wonderful, very vivacious and full of energy, absolutely unashamed in her deglamorized avatar.

Original

Makeover no. 1 - not working.

Makeover no 2 . - hell YEAH!!

Don´t you ever dare to say again that Koko is not stunning.

Then we have other loveable people out there. I´m a big Vinay Pathak fan, and he simply delivers quality in Aaja Nachle, as a nerdy, boring husband, who realizes his wife just might not be that hapy with him. There is excellent Ranvir Shorey, demure and devoted and still dreaming of getting married to Diya. There is Divya Dutta as opressed woman of a big businessman, who simply wants to dance and feel alive again. And others.... and others......

And there is Madhuri. No, the role was not a challenging drama, that would prove her acting ability. Why should it be so, in the first place? This is a woman who proved herself countless times. She didn´t make this film to prove to others how amazing she is. She did it, because she liked it. She did it for her fans. And she did it, because she wanted to do, what she does best: entertain and make you forget everything else for a moment. Even in this „non-challenging“ role she is brilliant. Her screen presence remained undiminished, her dialogue delivery and expression perfect, her dancing ability made everyone go wow all over again. Not to mention she was a heroine without a hero, carried the film on her shoulders. Although there is Akshaye Khanna as a possible love interest (and my, do they have amazing chemistry!), his is only a guest appearance and Diya´s lovelife is not even remotely the plot of the movie. That is theater, dance, culture, tradition. And it is all fun and beautiful.

Mohan living his dream..... in his dream.

She smiled at me!

AT MEEEE!!!!!

The real gem of Aaja Nachle is the 20 minutes long play at the end. The legend of Laila and Majnu has been presented in a very short span of time, and visually it´s just wonderful. People kept complaining about the unrealisticly quick changing of the sets, but did any of them try to think? The play in „real“ must have been at leas 2 hours long. What we saw were only 20 minutes of it. Are you following me? Why didn´t anyone complain about the same thing in Om Shanti Om during the song Dastaan? In the end Aaja Nachle is a only film and some liberties were taken. So what? Did Salman flying over the roofs in Dabangg look realistic? Did Aamir Khan delivering a baby with a vacuum cleaner look realistic? Why they can allow to be unrealistic and Madhuri cannot? Aaja Nachle is in fact much more realistic then many hit films.

Madhuri and the most dysfunctional theater company

Some complaints against the story could have been very easily silenced, had the deleted scenes stayed in the movie. Because from those we learn that Diya is planning a big Broadway musical (hence obviously has considerable income plus knows how to do a producer´s job of getting money for a project), that she in the end finds her parents (hence its clear she indeed was looking for them) etc etc.... Agreed, it doesn´t make sense why her daughter has a strong Indian accent, and she also can be a bit annoying. Yes, it is weird that the policeman learns the whole role in mere minutes. It is also weird how all the extras learned their roles so well, since we have seen very little of their rehearsals......

The music was amazing. One of my favourite soundtracks, and definitely underrated. True the „Dance with me“ track leaves even me cold, but it only appears in the film to set the mood, introduce the character of Diya, and to show you Madhuri can do anything on the dance floor. O Re Piya, arguably the best track from the album, occupies a powerful spot among my most favourite Hindi songs. Aaja Nachle is already a legendary dance number (great job by Vaibhavi Merchant) and the song is very popular. And the Laila-Majnu music is wonderful, capturing and „decorating“ the narration perfectly.

What you cannot take away from Aaja Nachle is amazing use of colours.

Whenever I hear about Laila-Majnu story, this is what I remember.

 

 

Aaja Nachle did not deserve to be an all-time blockbuster. But it definitely deserved to be a hit. Performances were amazing, music wonderful, choreography great, story nice, cinematography beautiful, direction very able. And there was that lovely feeling that makes you happy, while you watch (something the post-2005 films largely lack). A perfect, bit fluffy, very much colourful entertainer with a message, that despite globalization, which is not all that bad and to an extent necessary, it is still important not to let go of your roots and to preserve what the ancestors preserved for centuries. Maybe it didn´t sink in well with traditional Indians, since the heroine was somebody who did not hesitate to run away from an arranged marriage, and now is divorced, single-mother, successful and obviously not in desperate need for a man. I don´t know. As I said, it´s on of the things on this earth that remains mystery to me.

Madhuri loved and hated

Hated.... OH SO HATED!!!

Není na světě člověk ten, aby se zalíbil lidem všem – that is an old Czech proverb meaning „There is not one person in the world, whom everybody would love“, but in English it doesn´t sound as half as nice. And being a popular celebrity goes hand in hand with being hated, bashed, hated, insulted and hated. The more fans there are, the more haters lurk in the dark corners of the internet, ready to strike with their venomous posts, bravely and cleverly hidden under the label of „Anonymous“ most of the time. As a former hater myself (hello Kajol, whom I like now) I know only too well that the only and real reasons for hating an actor are just two: somebody spoke about him/her too much for your liking or draw comparisms very much unflattering to the actor you love (my case), or you are just a jealous looser that the other celebrity has more or equal success/fans/film offers etc...... That you don´t like somebody´s acting doesn´t make you a hater. (Here I should say I don´t HATE Sonam Kapoor, I just think she´s pathetic actress and I don´t give her much thought beyond the span of a film), and your tastes have all the right to differ.

But there are still plenty of them, haters who spend their lives hating on somebody they never met, drawing conclusions from short gossip article titles and they are capable of finding the most unflattering photos. They can be recognized by USING CAPSLOCK, usually have poor spelling and grammar, haunt youtube and infest Pinkvilla. And some of them hate Madhuri. Oh how much they hate her. Just recently I found a facebook group that says it all: WE HATE MADHURI (JUHI IS THE BEST). Obviously there are only six members and the group was so „popular“ it´s going to be archived soon.....

Some absolutely know her through and through – plus they are daily guests in her household!

„she comes across as being warm only because of her smile, she knows she has a nice smile and she uses it. i detected that coldness/aloofness in her during the KJO interview as well - when Rani was gushing over her and sucking up to her, i was so surprised to see NO humility from madhuri, she just sat there all icy and uppity acting all diva about it.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„She tries to act to perfect and gives a picture of too perfect a family like getting up at 6 and then cooking for her kids...Pls...I hardly know any well to do housewife doing household themselves and getting up so early.They can always find a help for all that. Actually she always sounds fake to me.... Who is she fooling?“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„I am sure she never a cooked a grain of rice in her life even for her kids since she seems to be so desperately trying to be in Bollywood to resurrect something that remotely resembles a career!“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Geez is M.D that desperate for $$$$?. She and Nene are loaded seriously.. Go back to your kids woman..“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

Some probably watch only 50s Bollywood, because they are not in the least bothered by the half-naked actresses these days and for them: „vulgar= Madhuri+saroj khan“ - Anonymous, South Spy

„Madhuri was the epitome of vulgarity is 90s. Who can forget Aaj phir tumse from Dayavaan, Dhak Dhak ( one of the most vulgar dances), the love making scene from Parinda, the scene from Beta before Saiyan ji se chupke and the dance itself..and she continued with such cheap stuff until her Aunty age. Padmashree Madhuri Dixit. Aishwarya has been the most graceful and decent of the actresses of late 90s and 2000.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Pray remind me how when she was just another overhyped BW actress with less talent but struck gold with her cheap jhatkas and thumkas? At least Aishwarya went global and now enjoys the fame & success which Madhuri herself failed to do in her heydays. Even in Devdas,Ash stole her thunder. Poor Madhuri was not even invited to Cannes or other film festivals! tsk tsk tsk“ - evildancingdiva, Pinkvilla

„Madhuri is CHEAP and VULGAR.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Madhuri si Pamela Andersson of Bollywood!“ - chof0391, youtube

Some just believe she has no acting skills whatsoever...
„I think Madhuri is not an actress in the first place. on screen or off screen she is the same how much can someone be more pathetic???“ - halimali, youtube (by the way this person always claims to like her at first, but then somehow forgets it or something....)

„Did Madhuri Dixit Deserve her best actress awards? No she cannot act!!!“ - Rosey, Filmifanatics

„she was like the Katrina Kaif of 90s - a below average actress who only lucked out because of her dancing prowess and starring in an array of hit films but otherwise, she is highly OVERRATED. now coming back to the awards, another BIG FAT NO!! her roles in those films were nothing spectacular and she simply won because of the usual rigged politics.“ - marianne, Filmifanatics

Some are downright disgusting (read only if you´re strong enough):
„HA HA HA...i smell something burning..you know what is meant my MD cutting weight? Cutting her red yellow black multicolor 3 dimesional PIMPLES, ACNES, SCARS, HOLES full of PUS all over her DIRTY FACE. And What about Sanjay Jee and Shubhash Jee hee heee heee..anybody before countering me,..look at who starts it everytime“ - nabutinghau, youtube

And some don´t waste their time with explaining, but do bother clicking on topics and articles containing her name:

„I hate Madhuri!“ - AviationGuy, SantaBanta forums

„I have had enough of aunty Madhuri!!! Give us a long break Pleaseee.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„She sucks.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Get lost from INDIA.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

So what did we learn (apart from the fact that if you want to hate on someone it´s best to be Anonymous on Pinkvilla)? That Madhuri is bad actress, bad dancer, ugly, manipulative, vulgar..... I really wonder why do I love her?

Loved... OH SO LOVED!

For every hurtful comment, for every spiteful attack, there are hundreds and hundreds expressions of love and appreciation. Every single of those hateful comments received overload of responses by Madhuri´s supporters. Yes, some of those responses were ugly (and as soon as they defame other actresses, I don´t consider them worthy of praising Mads) and I don´t agree with their way of leading an argument. But some are beautifully put, beautifully expressed, and so very much from the heart....

„She seems to have gotten all the dance genes of the world. unbelievable. It looks like it's part of her - such smooth motion.“ - 297megha, youtube

„No words, the talent is in her blood,each movement she performs seems to be divine.“ - skvrind74, youtube

„There are so many who are dying to watch her even if she gets old. Beacause she is one and only one. No one was and no one can ever be like her.“ - gemphu1234

„Madhuri Dixit is the epitome of Indian female beauty. I have always admired and loved her divine beauty and grace and she looks like a Hindu goddess in human form :)“ - Enigma1990ad, youtube

„Madhuri is Bollywood to many. Many many people still hold Bollywood and Madhuri to be one . Because she is a struggler to success story !!! We saw some non-makeup photos in the personal collection of our Mumbai producer friends' photo album of her on the sets taken when she was not 'posing' --- Madhuri looked very very beautiful.. (no pancake.. her beauty shining out and out. she's actually somewhat beautifully dusky.. see Parinda...). she was not smiling, just regally sitting.. thinking... and that was the most beautiful photo of her.. with no makeup... no famed smile. The thing that's striking about her is her facial angles and that grace. People say she often just 'zones out' in the sets to think about her role.. and then lights up on screen.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„And GOD said, Let their be MADHURI DIXIT!!! and we have all been in AWE ever since!!! what a woman! what a diva and what a LEGEND!!!This is Talent and Beauty at it's BEST!!“ - NoRegretsNot1, youtube

„I need Madhuri in a movie so badly...... her acting is always like a fresh air in a suffocating space.....“ - Coconutty, Pinkvilla

And what the heck.... I like posting quotes about Madhuri by those who actually know her:

"Madhuri is a wonderful person, very warm and friendly. I´m very friendly with her as a director and as a person. We vibe very well as a director and an actress.She understands me... Madhuri is the nicest person I´ve worked with. Even though she´s a major star, she will never let you feel she´s Madhuri Dixit. If she´s where she is today, it is because of her performances, her professionalism and her nature. She mingles around with one and all. She doesn´t see who´s big or small. There are people who are not as half as big as she is, actresses, who are not Madhuri Dixits, even character artistes, who throw tantrums, but never Madhuri.... It can be possible for any man to be attracted to Madhuri any time. She´s a wonderful woman to be attracted to...." - Rajeev Kapoor

"When it comes to comparison, I always compare every actress with Madhuri and as a  result every actress disappoints." - Salman Khan

"Madhuri Dixit is such a devoted actress and dancer that hardly anyone in India has come to her level." - Mithun Chakraborty

"Madhuri has become my weakness. There are very few actors, who can surprise me, but she was so brilliant even I was mesmerized." - Raj Kumar Santoshi

(for more go here: http://madhuridixit.blog.cz/en )

Most of my own sentiments have been already expressed in my previous article Madhuri Dixit – When name weaves magic and also my dear friend Siham had her own to say in Why do I love Madhuri Dixit.

And one message for all the haters out there: You do realize Madhuri doesn´t give a damn about your hatred, don´t you? Wouldn´t it be better to go and waste your life in some other way?

Madhuri's forgotten dances

There are so many.... I have not even seen them all.... Usually from the films that did not do well. And together with them they passed into oblivion. Undeservingly. Because they were splendid. Not all of them. Some had trashy music. Some had trashy choreography. She was still as graceful and delightful as ever in all of them. The forgotten dances of Madhuri´s are sometimes actually even more astounding then the ones so much celebrated. Some of those are featured in this very article. And again, going by the timeline, I have to feature this beautiful dance, which has only recently made it´s way to me. Because it is technically not Bollywood. Yes – young, pre-Tezaab Madhuri obviously did what might be called and item number in a gujarati film Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra. What was it about? I have no idea. What was the point of the song? Do not ask me. All I can say is – enjoy, because it is not everyday you find a new Madhuri dance number!

Both Ladoo Yeh Ladoo (sung by Asha Bhosle) and Pehli Pehli Baar Aisa Thanedaar AAya (sung by Alka Yagnik and Amit Kumar) were featured in a film Thanedaar, and are, just like the revered Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, great examples of how much Madhuri actually enjoys dancing. Both stayed in the shadow of Tamma Tamma, that was completely different and very modern, while these two were classic Bollywood dances. Still they are a treat to watch! In the second song Madhuri is joined in by Kunika, which is brave, but at the same time it really shows the difference between a born dancer and a person, who is simply trying to dance.

Saajan (1992) was one of the most successful films of the 90s, and its music was very much appreciated. For some reason however it is hardly talked about today. Maybe some find it outdated, but that would be the case of practically every film from the period. Saajan songs were overally slow-ish duets, but that was not the case of oh-so-beautifully named Tu Shayar Hai, which presented Madhuri in one of the most beautiful ways. The dance was rather modern, not so much the setting, which actually reminds me more of the deep 80s then year 1992. the background dancers are actually quite funny to watch in their little skirts and horrendous outfits, and some of them are actually pretty chubby and I don´t think they would have a chance to do films today. But in the end even this dance is about Madhuri and Madhuri only. And Madhuri with the cutest expressions shines, whether in the orange, blue or her most essential white.

Sangeet was a flop. Pity, because the story was sweet, performances beautiful and music lovely. It is actually one of Madhuri´s personal favourites. When people remember Sangeet, they usually remember „Mein Tumhari Hoon“ dance, which was outrageously sexy, but sadly its original intention was to point out how wrong it actually is to sell the sight of a rather uncovered girl dancing (though Madhuri´s outfit looks like a complete dull burkha compared to the normal „clothes“ seen in Bollywood dances these days). The song I loved the most in Sangeet was Saat Suron Ke Taar Ban Gaye, and that is also the one I´m presenting to you today. Although I must admit I do not like Madhuri´s light contact lenses. Her eyes are most beautiful when left alone!

Just like Tamma Tamma ate all the attention in Thanedaar, hardly anyone could really think much beydon Choli Ke Peeche in Khalnayak. Pity. Because there were two more amazing, visually beautiful dances. Especially Aaja Sajan Aaja is just splendidly shot. It was also practically a goodbye from Madhuri in the film, because nearly immediately after this song she disappeared from the movie, letting the last 30 minutes to become a real bore, though it was packed with action. She was the soul of Khalnayak, and without her there was no life. For me the film pretty much ends with this song.

Incredibly catchy melody! Song Namaste Namaste is plain fun! And also an unashamed advertising of Emami cosmetics. That somehow turned me off at the very beginning, because I HATE advertisements, and this one did not even try to be hidden. Thankfully the moment Madhuri starts dancing rest of the world and everything around looses importance really. True, the last outfit she was made to wear is rather funny, but so is Salman Khan throughout the whole song. From a sweet, but unsuccessful film Dil Tera Aashiq, here comes a sweet song

There is something very much special about this song. Well, not so much about the song as the dance itself. It is something that doesn´t strike you immediately, but in the end you do realize..... that this whole song has been shot in ONE continuous, uninterrupted take! I don´t recall seeing anything like that in any other film as yet, and it only makes me go more wow. Because everything is just so perfect – the timing, every step, every movement of the saree in the wind.... Barson Ke Baad from Anjaam (1994) does reminds me a bit of Dhak Dhak, though the story could not have been more different. But here she is, beautiful, enticing, sensual.....

One has to love this song. Even if only for the fact Madhuri is drunk in it (not really of course). And she can still give anyone a run for their money. Yaraana overally had a fine music and good dancing, some of the dances were rather comical, then there was the running over the Swiss meadows we all are familiar with, and then of course there was Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (for reasons I´ll never get cut out from many DVDs). Jaane Woh Kaisa Chor Tha has also an awesome single take moment. Just watch out as the light goes out and Madhuri´s anger and desperation takes form of the dance.

One of my ABSOLUTE favourites EVER. One of the most beautiful Madhuri dances ever. The one I watch every week at least three times. Why? Because it is just SO BEAUTIFUL. I don´t really have words for this one...... I love it dearly. Then again I love that film too, but sadly Prem Granth (1996) flopped badly and undeservingly. My review of this one is going to be long, when it comes. Jungle Mein Sher was a true highlight, but I cannot help but also mention Dil Lene Ki Ruth Aayi, which for me has that fascinating something, that cannot be defined. Not even the presence of Rishi Kapoor could ruin it for me. After all, everything I was able to watch was Madhuri....

Another film that flopped, and this one time very much deservingly so, because it was just bad, was Rajkumar (1995) in which the usually over-hairy Anil Kapoor becomes a Robin Hood in some far away country full of sarees and Egyptian columns. The only saving grace, and only reason why you just might to watch this, is (of course) gorgeous La Dixit in an ungrateful and anything but meaty role of a Princess. She was used merely as a love interest and her presence was the best excuse for some dancing. But my – what dancing that was!

Sanson Ki Mala Pe from Koyla always makes me stop breathing. Such is the power of the dance, such is the feeling of it, that I literally stop breathing while I watch it. The intensity of pain, of desperation is screaming from every gesture and expression. And it gets more and more intense by a second. Until finally she has tears in her eyes.... and to be honest very often so do I. Koyla (1997) is my guilty pleasure. One of those so bad it´s actually good movies. And this song ads a lot the good part. Throw in a passionately drumming Shahrukh Khan.... and you have picture perfect.

After all that pain and emotions, lets move on to something easy on the heart. I would rate the following dance as „cute“, because it really isn´t anything groundbreaking. And quite frankly it suffers from some awful props and silly dressed background dancers. And I´m not fond of Madhuri´s first outfit either. But obviously, though it didn´t do well in India, Mohabbat (1997) did very well overseas, especially in Britain. Chori Chori is really not among Madhuri´s best dances. But it is still highly enjoyable.

And something different yet again. We´ve already talked about the famous Que Sera Sera in another article, and even QSS did overshadow another dance number from the same film. Because Pukar (2000) featured also a very sexy and very much modernly polished Hai Jaana. Time for our sweet Madhuri to turn a bit bitchy, and very, very much sensual. My absolute favourite part is the beginning. I´m sure you´ll see why.

As much as it pains me, I cannot possibly mention all the dances I´d like to. So let me finish this journey with one more dance. A rather short one. From a movie, that did not make sense to many. Gaja Gamini was a pure art, and a celebration of a woman. And Madhuri, in the following two minutes, will show you what it is means to live music, to feel it – and yes, make love to it.

Anyone feels like dancing?