Back in the saddle

Her beauty and magic are intact,only her work-profile has changed. Where at one time it was films,films and more films,now there are more of endorsements,photo-shoots and events. She’s all set to exploit her still commanding screen presence,twinkling eyes and extreme charisma.

She’s unperturbed by the reports speculating why she’s back and flashes her million-dollar smile as she explains. “People usually think that a change means that something bad has happened. So when I came back they speculated that my marriage was not working or that I was divorced. They don’t understand that a change can be for the better. India is a land of opportunities,not only for me but also for my husband. Even otherwise my husband,who used to come to India as a kid,wanted our children to know where they come from,because after a few years it would have been difficult for them to give up their friends,school etc. there. So I calmly let people speculate and preferred not to say anything in defence,” she explains in her pronounced American drawl.

Her family is settling down,Madhuri says,but it will still take time for them to feel completely at home. “My kids have just got admission in a school and my husband is also settled. I have lived in Denver for a decade but I feel completely at home as I travelled back and forth for Devdas,Aaja Nachle and Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. I never thought that I was away from the country. The change is not so much for me,as it is for my husband and kids,” she says.

The actress,who is all set to be part of the film industry in a bigger way,has witnessed both success and failure in her long innings,ever since she debuted in Abodh over 25 years ago. This time round she doesn’t see herself in the rat-race striving to retain the top position,but is scouting for good roles. However,she can already feel the pressure. “Earlier I had the responsibility of a film on my shoulders,and I got my share of brickbats. Like after Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..! several of my movies like Yaraana,Prem Granth,Rajkumar and Koyla failed,and everyone smirked saying I could never get bigger. Then came Dil To Pagal Hai and then it was back to the bouquets. This time round the pressure is different as I can see everyone wondering what I intend to do and what kind of films will come my way,” she says.

Madhuri is aware that there will be a huge difference in the roles that made her a star and the roles that will come her way now. She knows that she cannot bask in the glory of the past when her livewire song-and- dance performances were the highlights in her films like Tezaab,Khalnayak,Ram Lakhan,Beta and several others. “Today,however, there is a lot of exciting stuff that I have been offered. I haven’t signed any film as yet,not even Dedh Ishqiya as speculated. Actually,I’m looking at something that suits me and my talent. And I’m in no hurry either,as I’m still getting used to the routine. I don’t want to do too much work and get so busy that I don’t have time for anything else. Now I want to give time to my kids too,” says Madhuri,recalling the time when she would do three shifts a day,working from seven in the morning to two in the night.

So presently,the actress,who is the new face of Olay Regenerist,is kicked about the several endorsements she is offered. And she is also in talks about once again being judge on the next season of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. “Endorsements are a new and exciting thing for me. When I got married and left India,there were no huge brand endorsements except for Coke,Pepsi and Lux. After the multinational companies came in,stars have started endorsing a lot of products. I am really enjoying modelling for various campaigns. At the same time I want to endorse something that I believe in and that suits me. As for television,I want to do something that I like and enjoy. If I feel that it’s just another thing to do,then I don’t want to be a part of it. I would love to anchor a show but nothing has been offered on those lines as yet.”

Madhuri is wide-eyed as she talks about the current scenario in the Hindi film industry. “I could see the change in the industry as I kept coming back to India for different projects. It’s so organised and streamlined now. During our time as soon as the producer would get money from somewhere he would tell us,‘Kal shooting hai’ and everybody would start sorting out their dates. On the sets the writer would be standing in one corner writing dialogues and would tell us,‘Bas,paanch minute aur.’ Also,the kind of subjects that are being explored now tells you how much the audience has matured. They are ready to accept actors and actresses in new roles. It’s really great,” she says.

The star believes that a movie should be engaging and is glad that new-age directors understand this aspect of filmmaking. “I don’t get a chance to see all the latest Hindi films but I saw Singham in the theatre. I really enjoyed the movie. The dialogues were good,it was very commercial but at the same time it had a message,so it worked very well. I have seen Udaan too. It had a very off-beat subject which would not be broached by anyone normally,but it was handled extremely well,” she says.

Madhuri recalls the earlier times when there was a clear demarcation between parallel and commercial cinema. She had not attempted many such films herself except for the odd one like Prakash Jha’s Mrityudand in which she played a fiery,idealistic housewife. The role is still considered one of her best till date. “Mrityudand was considered parallel cinema at that time,but today the audience would have been more open to it. I would love to work with Vikramaditya Motwane,Raju Hirani,Vishal Bhardwaj and Imtiaz Ali. They are all new and young and bring in new emotions to their films.”

The actress,who would always be accompanied by one of her parents on the sets,is also floored by the young female assistant directors scurrying around now with the clapper-board and dialogue sheets. “Earlier,the only female on the set was the hairdresser,but today I see a whole lot of girls. There are ADs,cinematographers,writers and make-up artistes. All these domains were earlier dominated by men. So there’s no need for escorts on the sets now,” she smiles.

While her million-watt smile and twinkling eyes have enthralled many over the years including Ranbir Kapoor,who is a die-hard fan of Madhuri,the actress,on her part,is all praises for the Kapoor scion. “He dances and acts very well. I have seen Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year and Bachna Ae Haseeno. It was hard for him to come out of Rishi Kapoor’s and Neetu Kapoor’s shadow,and do something for himself. But he has managed it wonderfully. I have been watching the songs of Rockstar,they are terrific. I would love to act with him in a movie with an older woman-younger guy subject. It would be interesting,” she twinkles.

The star,who has bagged several awards and is known for bringing in a certain edge and unpredictability to her characters,however hates watching her old films. “When my husband switches on the television and my film is going on,I ask him to switch it off as I feel strange and funny. I really get self-conscious. He had hardly watched any of my movies when we first met but he knew I was an actress. Now,however,he watches my films and gives his comments,” she says shyly,as she slowly gets up to spend some quality time with her children who are waiting for their famous mother to return home. l

geety.sahgal@expressindia.com