Vidya Balan rocked in 2011 with her bold image of Silk in The Dirty Picture and, the lady is all set to thrill her fans in 2012 with her de-glam avatar of a pregnant woman in Kahaani. Every star has an inspiration and Vidya too is no exception. The most bankable star today claims that her motivation in the field of cinema was the dhak-dhak girl Madhuri Dixit Nene.  

There is a whole generation of actors who were in school or college when Madhuri Dixit wove her magic on celluloid for over a decade

Deepika Padukone is one helluva thrilled star. She's been spoken about in the same breath as Madhuri Dixit. Director Homi Adajania complimented her on her eyes on the last day of shooting his flick and told her that she didn't need to act, since "everything is there in your eyes."

Dutta talks of five actors who have inspired her craft.

Did you watch Madhuri Dixit on Jhalak?

I waited for two-and-half years during Khamoshi to ask her to read the script but I couldn't get through to her. So I made the film without her. During Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam also I tried but it did not happen. Then I ensured that in Devdas Madhuri was there.

Anushka Sharma has confessed to being a diehard fan of Madhuri Dixit and aspires to walk in her footsteps. Although unlike Madhuri, who found her footing after a dozen flops, Anushka has enjoyed a better run, thanks to the protective Yashraj halo behind her. Anushka says, “The other day I heard Madhuri say on stage that she managed to sustain for so long because people loved her for who she was, which is why she could afford to be a complete natural. I too want that for myself.”