Interesting Facts and Figures: Madhuri Dixit

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she dominated Hindi cinema as a leading actress and an accomplished dancer. Appearing in numerous commercial successes and delivering a myriad of critically-acclaimed performances, Dixit has established herself as one of the most respected and prominent female actors in Bollywood.

In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India.

Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Brahmin family. 

Dixit attended Delhi Public School and Delhi University and wanted to be a micro-biologist. 

She is an accomplished Kathak dancer and trained for eight years.

Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Abodh (1984). 

After a few minor and supporting roles, she landed the lead female role in Tezaab (1988), which shot her to stardom, and for which she received her first Filmfare nomination. 

She then starred in a number of hits that included Ram Lakhan (1989), Parinda (1989), Tridev (1989), and Kishen Kanhaiya (1990).

Dixit is not only known for her acting skills, but for her dancing skills as well. Her dance sequences, accompanying famous Bollywood songs such as Ek Do Teen (from Tezaab), Bada Dukh Deenha (from Ram Lakhan), Dhak Dhak (from Beta), Chane Ke Khet Mein (from Anjaam), Choli Ke Peechhe (from Khalnayak), Akhiyan Milaun (from Raja), Piya Ghar Aya (from Yaarana), Key Sera (from Pukar), Maar Daala (from Devdas), among others, have received abundant critical acclaim.

On February 25, 2006 she performed on stage for the first time in six years at the Filmfare Awards to music from her last movie Devdas. 

Her performance was choreographed by Saroj Khan.

Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Husain who considers her the epitome of womanhood. Hence he made a film named Gaja Gamini (2000) in which Madhuri acted. The film was intended as a tribute to Ms. Dixit herself. 

In this film she can be seen portraying various forms and manifestations of womanhood including the muse of Kalidasa, Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, a rebel, and an incarnation of musical euphoria.

On December 7, 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai along with her husband and sons to start filming for Aaja Nachle (2007).

The film released in November 2007 and despite the critics panning it, Dixit’s performance was well received, with the New York Times commenting about her that "she’s still got it".

On Women’s International Day in 2007, Dixit topped Rediff’s list of the Best Bollywood Actresses Ever.

In 1999, she married Sriram Madhav Nene, an Indian doctor who resides in USA. A UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon who practices in Denver, Nene is also from a Marathi Konkanastha Brahmin family. 

She has two sons, Arin (born in March 2003 in Colorado) and Raayan (born on March 8, 2005 in Colorado).

She has two elder sisters, Rupa and Bharati, and an elder brother, Ajit. Madhuri and her family reside in Denver, Colorado, USA. - SAMPURN