Talk about typecast

In her 35th year in Hindi film industry, Madhuri Dixit Nene is content, for she has done films of ‘all kinds’ despite being told that she would be suitable for only commercial cinema and would fail in others. 

The actor has featured in blockbusters like Hum Aapke Hai Koun!, Saajan, Dil To Paagal Hai and has also starred in critically-acclaimed projects like Mrityudand, Lajja among others. 

“From the beginning of my career, I’ve done different kind of films. But I was always told I should do only commercial films because I belong to that set up, especially when I was doing Mrityudand. People said I cannot do an art film but I did,” Madhuri said. 

“It may not have been a big hit but people liked me in that space and it gave other’s the opportunity to do the same. You need to breakthrough, not only for yourself but for others,” she added. 

Madhuri said doing the cinema one believes in can often be tricky as one ‘has to go against preconceived notions on what a star should be like’.

“You’ve to keep your head on your shoulders while working in films and keep working with a lot of belief in yourself, without thinking so much about failure or success. You need to push the envelope. If it fails, it’s ok. If it works, it gives others the opportunity to do something different. For women it’s wonderful to take risks,” she added. 

Since her comeback to films with Aaja Nachle in 2007, Madhuri will be seen in a comedy for the first time with Total Dhamaal. —PTI