Return of the heartthrob

But she says,“It’s my way of keeping up with my fans”. In order to interact more with her fans,she has launched her official website. She also shares tips,anecdotes and pictures on Twitter. “In today’s world,there is so much scope to keep in touch with your fans,and I like doing that,” she says.

In a male-dominated industry,Dixit-Nene was the heartthrob of millions. The actor,along with her contemporary Sridevi,dominated the popular consciousness of the nation. Her versatile style of acting,dance moves and smile are still considered her USPs and the best in the film business.

Tell Dixit-Nene of her impact,and she gives her trademark smile. “I have worked hard,but I have been fortunate too,” she says.

Dixit-Nene has been married for almost 10 years,and has two sons — Arin and Ryan. She returned to India in November 2011,after spending a decade in Denver. The TV industry has embraced her in an almost desperate bid to boost their TRPs. She has taken on the mantle of being the judge on Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa,brand ambassador of the Food Food Channel and sutradhar of Life OK. “I liked the content of these shows and channels. That’s the reason I am doing this,” she says. She is also seen doing a number of endorsements,walking the ramp and attending social dos.

But Madhuri’s acid test will be Bollywood. She returns to movies with Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya and Anubhav Sinha’s Gulab Gang. After her return to Mumbai,she took a while before she decided on her ventures. Rumours of this “former top actress” not getting work in Bollywood and demanding huge amounts as fees did the rounds,but she kept her silence. She is aware that she cannot bask in her past glory,and her second innings is not about scouting for the top position,but about doing good roles. “At this stage of my career,I don’t want to do films just because I am an actor. I want to do films that will have memorable roles and something that people haven’t seen me do,” she says. In Dedh Ishqiya,she plays a murky and quirky role,carrying forward from Vidya Balan’s character in the first installment,and in Gulab Gang she plays a vigilante and is the gang leader.

When Dixit-Nene started out in the industry way back in 1984,it was enthusiasm for her craft that kept her going. With limited knowledge and exposure,and a stark demarcation between commercial and parallel cinema,she mostly stuck to the mainstream with films such as Tezaab,Beta,Dil,Saajan,Hum Aapke Hain Koun!,Dil Toh Pagal Hai,with a Mrityudand and Lajja thrown in between. “The kind of subjects directors are exploring today shows the maturity of the industry and the audience. Also,roles for older actresses are better defined,” she says.

Despite her affinity for stardom and all things related,Madhuri’s priority remains her family. She makes sure she spends as much time as possible with her husband and children. “My children now have slowly started understanding my profession. They enjoy coming on the sets of Jhalak and are very excited about me being cast in films,” she says.