Bollywood queen Madhuri Dixit, who is making a comeback after a long hiatus with Aaja Nachle, says she she missed choreographer Saroj Khan during the making the film. "Obviously, I missed her during the film. I am a big fan of Saroj Khan," says the dancing diva who regards Saroj Khan as her guru and mentor. "My name is always synonymous with Sarojji and her dances," Madhuri told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Madhuri Dixit returns with Aaja Nachle
Vaibhavi Merchant, who choreographed the hit number Kajrare has directed Madhuri's dance sequences in Aaja Nachle, which previously was rumoured to have been reserved for Saroj Khan.
The Dhak Dhak girl, however, maintains that Vaibhavi has also done a very good job in the film.
"She has worked very hard on this movie and has done very good choreography," says the actress who was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Devdas.
Madhuri, who is acknowledged to be one of greatest dancers Bollywood has ever had, admits that Vaibhavi might not have had things easy because of her superstar status. "She has watched me do all kind of dances from Ek Do Teen (from Tezaab) to Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar (from Sailaab), so she knows the body of my work in the past. And somewhere in her mind she knew that she has to rise about all that, and do something, if not better than at least, equal to what I have done in the past," says the dancing diva.
Madhuri or 'Mads' as she is fondly called by the media says, "Vaibhavi has come up with some very good steps in the film and I think she could get the best out of me as a dancer."
A choreographer, she says must get the best out of her because for Madhuri dancing is not just an 'add on' to sell a film but something very personal and spiritual.
"For me dancing is not just moving your arms and legs but basically it's a very spiritual experience. It's part of me and a second nature to me. You can say it is in my blood," quips the actress who is also a trained dancer.
She left the industry when her career was at its peak to marry a US-based doctor. Now blessed with two sons Arin and Ryan, whom she thinks have grown up enough, she says the time is right to come back to where she belongs, into the world of Hindi films. However, as the media and even Yash Raj Films, who has produced Aaja Nachle are touting the film as her comeback one, she ponders , "When did I ever bid a good bye? "
"It's not that I decided to not do films any more. I did Devdas after I got married. So it's not like I made a statement that I am not coming back or anything like that. It's just that I was busy with my sons," chuckles Madhuri adding that she is humbled and overwhelmed by the welcome she received after returning to Mumbai.
"It's been heartfelt and people welcomed me with open arms," she says adding she thoroughly enjoyed the period in the US watching her sons grow up.
"My God, the guys grow up so fast! But it was ultimate joy to watch them take their first step, learn their first nursery rhymes, etc.," she exclaims.
The Dhak Dhak girl, however, maintains that Vaibhavi has also done a very good job in the film.
"She has worked very hard on this movie and has done very good choreography," says the actress who was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Devdas.
Madhuri, who is acknowledged to be one of greatest dancers Bollywood has ever had, admits that Vaibhavi might not have had things easy because of her superstar status. "She has watched me do all kind of dances from Ek Do Teen (from Tezaab) to Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar (from Sailaab), so she knows the body of my work in the past. And somewhere in her mind she knew that she has to rise about all that, and do something, if not better than at least, equal to what I have done in the past," says the dancing diva.
Madhuri or 'Mads' as she is fondly called by the media says, "Vaibhavi has come up with some very good steps in the film and I think she could get the best out of me as a dancer."
A choreographer, she says must get the best out of her because for Madhuri dancing is not just an 'add on' to sell a film but something very personal and spiritual.
"For me dancing is not just moving your arms and legs but basically it's a very spiritual experience. It's part of me and a second nature to me. You can say it is in my blood," quips the actress who is also a trained dancer.
She left the industry when her career was at its peak to marry a US-based doctor. Now blessed with two sons Arin and Ryan, whom she thinks have grown up enough, she says the time is right to come back to where she belongs, into the world of Hindi films. However, as the media and even Yash Raj Films, who has produced Aaja Nachle are touting the film as her comeback one, she ponders , "When did I ever bid a good bye? "
"It's not that I decided to not do films any more. I did Devdas after I got married. So it's not like I made a statement that I am not coming back or anything like that. It's just that I was busy with my sons," chuckles Madhuri adding that she is humbled and overwhelmed by the welcome she received after returning to Mumbai.
"It's been heartfelt and people welcomed me with open arms," she says adding she thoroughly enjoyed the period in the US watching her sons grow up.
"My God, the guys grow up so fast! But it was ultimate joy to watch them take their first step, learn their first nursery rhymes, etc.," she exclaims.
Though she was periodically getting offers she says it was easier for her to zero in on, Aaja Nachle as "it is very close to her own life."
"Aaja... was exciting as the protagonist of the film Dia, a choreographer, stays in the US like me. And after some 15 years, she decides to come back to her roots in India. This was very close to my life and I felt a closeness to Dia," said the actress who has an enviable legacy of films behind like Tezaab, Dil, Beta, Khalnayak, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dil To Pagal Hai, Devdas, etc.
Between the time that she left and now , experts say that there has been nobody to who could retain the top slot for as long a duration as hers. When asked Madhuri merely smiles and says, "I don't know .. I am asked that a lot of time.... But I really don't know how to answer that.... ."
When questioned whether it is because today's actresses lack the essential 'ultimate magic.' she retorts "No," before adding, "Its really not about if I can do it, or she can do it. Since 1989 (when Madhuri began her career) till today, you are talking about a whole body of work. I mean give these girls sometime. It can't happen in a couple of films. Let them do that body of work and then decide."
She says, "Every era will have its own icon. Like there were Madhubalaji, Waheedaji, Vaijanthimalji, Rekhaji, Sri Deviji, Hemaji...Every year has to produce different kind of heroines, roles, mould. You can't have the same person happening again and again."
So, once she left the industry, did she keep abreast with the developments in Bollywood? "No, never on a day to day basis," says Madhuri, adding, "But, yes I did catch up with things whenever I visited India. Like when I last came to here I tried to find out what was happening . And now that I am here again, I am trying to catch up with what is happening around me."
But the acclaimed actress certainly didn't give up on watching Hindi movies all this while. Asked for her favourites she says, "Well, I can tell which performances I liked Rani Mukherji in Black, Vidya Balan in Parineeta, Kangana Ranaut in Gangster I think she has performed very well. I have also seen Konkana Sensharma's work in Page 3 and Mr & Mrs Aiyer. Brilliant performances again. I have heard Kareena Kapoor is excellent in Jab We Met.. and I am looking forward to seeing it."
So does Madhuri think that comebacks are more challenging than making a debut? "I don't know...Both are nerve wrecking," she says with a smile, "because but both are equally important."
"When you do your first film, you begin on a clean slate. But when do a film after sometime, people start comparing you with all the work you have previously done."
So, is she nervous? "Well, yes but vibes are very positive. I am looking forward to it. It's an entertaining movie with a good story and a message," she says.
Post Aaja Nachle she has no commitments or projects yet.
"At present it's all about Aaja Nachle, rest I haven't decided yet," she says.
Source: Hindustan times, November 27, 2007
"Aaja... was exciting as the protagonist of the film Dia, a choreographer, stays in the US like me. And after some 15 years, she decides to come back to her roots in India. This was very close to my life and I felt a closeness to Dia," said the actress who has an enviable legacy of films behind like Tezaab, Dil, Beta, Khalnayak, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dil To Pagal Hai, Devdas, etc.
Between the time that she left and now , experts say that there has been nobody to who could retain the top slot for as long a duration as hers. When asked Madhuri merely smiles and says, "I don't know .. I am asked that a lot of time.... But I really don't know how to answer that.... ."
When questioned whether it is because today's actresses lack the essential 'ultimate magic.' she retorts "No," before adding, "Its really not about if I can do it, or she can do it. Since 1989 (when Madhuri began her career) till today, you are talking about a whole body of work. I mean give these girls sometime. It can't happen in a couple of films. Let them do that body of work and then decide."
She says, "Every era will have its own icon. Like there were Madhubalaji, Waheedaji, Vaijanthimalji, Rekhaji, Sri Deviji, Hemaji...Every year has to produce different kind of heroines, roles, mould. You can't have the same person happening again and again."
So, once she left the industry, did she keep abreast with the developments in Bollywood? "No, never on a day to day basis," says Madhuri, adding, "But, yes I did catch up with things whenever I visited India. Like when I last came to here I tried to find out what was happening . And now that I am here again, I am trying to catch up with what is happening around me."
But the acclaimed actress certainly didn't give up on watching Hindi movies all this while. Asked for her favourites she says, "Well, I can tell which performances I liked Rani Mukherji in Black, Vidya Balan in Parineeta, Kangana Ranaut in Gangster I think she has performed very well. I have also seen Konkana Sensharma's work in Page 3 and Mr & Mrs Aiyer. Brilliant performances again. I have heard Kareena Kapoor is excellent in Jab We Met.. and I am looking forward to seeing it."
So does Madhuri think that comebacks are more challenging than making a debut? "I don't know...Both are nerve wrecking," she says with a smile, "because but both are equally important."
"When you do your first film, you begin on a clean slate. But when do a film after sometime, people start comparing you with all the work you have previously done."
So, is she nervous? "Well, yes but vibes are very positive. I am looking forward to it. It's an entertaining movie with a good story and a message," she says.
Post Aaja Nachle she has no commitments or projects yet.
"At present it's all about Aaja Nachle, rest I haven't decided yet," she says.
Source: Hindustan times, November 27, 2007
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