The airhostess on the flight is giving Madhuri Dixit more attention than necessary and she is embarrassed by the fuss. She smiles at a little child seeking her autograph and I ask her how she how she deals with the constant spotlight on her. ‘It is uncomfortable because people assume that actors are uninhibited just because we sing and dance on the screen, but I’m shy, I take time to open up and make friends.’
Will you be retaining your name as Madhuri Dixit on screen or change it to Madhuri Nene? ‘Stars are identified by their original names and even after marriage their fans remember them by the old surname, which is understandable. What irritates me is when they send me an invite addressed Mrs Dixit, next time they do that, I’ll send my mother for the event. Some of them address you as Madhuri Dixit Nene, ‘That’s better, more and more women, even those not in limelight, prefer retaining their maiden name and adding the new surname, it is less complicated this way’.
Why do you think the media is so curious about Dr. Nene? Madhuri shrugs her shoulders, ‘when I was not married, they wanted to know when I will be married, when I did, they wanted to know why I chose a doctor and not a film man and finally, how can I leave films and settle in Los Angeles. First, I’m not quitting movies, I’m taking a break, and second, it is my life and my choice. I like being in LA, like making bed and breakfast for my husband and even though I have never cooked in my life earlier, the first time I tossed scrambled eggs it was perfect! We have simple food habits and mostly eat vegetarian — aloo methi, dal, roti, sabzi topped with raita, papad and pickle and we are happy’.
To be continued…
I had once met her at a wedding in Mumbai. It was Bharat Shah’s son’s wedding in 1995.She was riding high on HAHK success. She was surrounded by a whole lot of people. And I was screaming to get an autograph from her. She asked me sweetly to wait till her dinner. But post that, Rikku was rushing her out. But she remembered me and took the autograph book and signed it. I was so touched by her act. I mean, she cudve just walked off, but she didn’t. This kind of generosity and simplicity puts her above the rest.