Bollywood Diva : Madhuri Dixit - *The Magic of Begum Para* - Page 43

Madhuri and family return from their Sentosa Island/Sydney vacation

Madhuri Dixit along with husband Sriram Nene and kids Raayan and Arin were snapped at the Mumbai airport as they were returning from their New Year getaway.

The family celebrated their Christmas at Sentosa Island in Singapore and New Years at Sydney, Australia.

https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainmenttags/madhuri-dixit/madhuri-and-family-return-their-sentosa-island-vacation#1

Dedh Ishqiya: Though Aaja Nachle was damp squib, we haven't lost hope. The team of Ishqiya, which had Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi at the top of their game, is bringing Madhuri Dixit in the sequel of the hinterland drama as the shrewd Begum Para. We are hopeful that

Abhishek Chaubey will do justice to the combo of

talent, beauty and grace we know as Madhuri Dixit. Shayari intended.

https://www.indianexpress.com/news/haider-happy-new-year-movies-to-watch-out-for-in-year-2014/1214804/0

Saluja's greatest strength is her keen character study. Like the filmmakers' style she has largely worked with, her taste is understated and subtle. Bhardwaj's characters, for example, are minimally adorned. And to bring out their essence she depends heavily on their body language. "Ninety per cent of someone's personality comes out through his body language. I try to observe that in people. I try to catch on to details that people will identify with, little stories that will cook up the characters," says Saluja. She talks about the custom-made kurtas studded with gemstone buttons she used to convey the shaukeen side of the otherwise cold-blooded underworld don Abbaji, played by Pankaj Kapoor in Maqbool. Arshad Warsi's happy-go-lucky Babban, in Dedh Ishqiya is also insecure and hence overdressed in fake Nike shoes and loud, flashy clothes. It is a contrast to Naseeruddin Shah's Khaloo jaan, who is more "internal" and hence more understated and refined. She found it challenging to break Dixit's larger-than-life screen persona and transform her into Dedh Ishqiya's Begum Para. "We had interactions where I understood her body structure, the character and made sketches before we arrived at a look," she says. For Dixit's unreal, old-fashioned beauty, Para, she went back to the old-styled Awadhi clothing such as churidars and anarkalis.

It wasn't until she was doing a short course in Ahmedabad's National Institute of Design that she realised her interest in films. Assigned to create costumes for a Tenali Raman spoof, Saluja shone the brightest among the group of students. She did the research for the characters with ease, a trait she, in restrospect, attributes to her childhood days. "If my cousin wanted to look like Amitabh Bachchan or like Helen, I would create it or tell them what to wear. I was good at putting things together, and as I realised later, a strong visual memory," she says.

As something that connects with the audience subliminally, the use of costumes, can be complex in its own ways. A character, for example, maybe not be in his brightest mood, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will wear dull clothes, he may want to overcome the internal void by wearing something bright. This especially comes to play in many of Bhardwaj's films that are populated with twisted characters, whose motives are not always transparent. Saluja draws the essence from the heart of the places her characters inhabit. Like the small town flavour of Raanjhanaa's Benaras, Dedh Ishqiya's Lucknow is full of understated, nawabi elegance.

Her work is identified with distinctly Indian, rustic or period settings but she is ready to experiment. She wants her work to be as invisible and non-intrusive as possible. "The best compliment I got was when someone asked me if I really had to do anything at all for Manorama 6 feet Under, since everybody was wearing regular clothes," she adds.

https://www.indianexpress.com/news/character-shop/1214794/0

"Sensuality is not how you move your body; it is how you use your face..." Madhuri Dixit-Nene

Madhuri Dixit' " the name has been synonymous with all things graceful and beautiful. The gorgeous actress shares some trade secrets with SHUBARNA MUKERJI SHU

How many times does it happen that you enter a room and all eyes are on just one person? Very often, if you are moving in the same circles as Madhuri Dixit Nene! It has been long established that she is pretty, possesses the most winsome smile and stunning grace that often leaves men sighing and women jealous; yet, after all these years, she manages to surprise you, simply with her simplicity...
Don't you tire with all the constant praise and awe that you garner wherever you go?
Home is my reality check! But, all said and done, it is always nice to hear compliments; it is one of the perks of this profession. I might have taken a break for a while to concentrate on my family, and today a lot has changed, but inside the industry it is still the same. So there are no surprises there and certainly nothing awkward about praise...
DEDH ISHQIYA... would you have done this film in the '90s?
A good script is something that an actor always loves. At any time, that's all we are looking for. DEDH... is beautifully written. When I read the script I hadn't seen Abhishek Chaubey. I was really surprised when I actually met him - I couldn't imagine a pony-tailed man with all the fuzz and well-worn jeans could write something so rustic... There are so many nuances in this film that are handled so maturely; that is commendable. Not just the relationship between Naseer Sa'ab (Naseeruddin Shah) and me, though that too is handled beautifully, but also Huma (Qureshi) and me. There has never been a film wherein two actresses have been pitched as friends - she is my accomplice, partner in crime and everything, she is the quintessential sakhi'. In most other films, two actresses are either pitted against each other or share no scenes at all...
You bet, the times have changed! For someone who has worked through the '90s till today, you have been party to many evolutions...
Yes, times have changed. I don't know if there would have been a DEDH... or a GULAAB GANG getting commercial recognition earlier. Now, that is not to say that there were no strong women-oriented films being made earlier. Of course there were many - in fact, I have had the chance to star in a few but there is very obviously a shift in characterisation between then and now. Then, everything needed a reason... if a girl is a prostitute in all probability she was destitute or was forced into it. If she takes up arms she had to have been badly manhandled or something and has done so for revenge and so on. Women today don't have to be apologetic about who they are. Everyone is accepted, no questions asked. It is far more liberating... we still have a long way to go, of course, but this is a good beginning.
Talking about emancipation of women characters, finally we are opening our mind towards the physical needs of a woman...
The audience has been really open-minded, that's for sure. Though, I don't think we are still very comfortable with a good woman lusting. But, like I said, we are growing, we are changing and therein lies the solution - the fact that we are willing to relearn.
There aren't many actresses who have been able to walk that thin line between sensuality and sexuality. On the other hand, you, in all your glory, certainly can write a book on how to tread that thin line...
Please! Though you are right - it truly is a very thin line and it must be tread with care. It is not something that one can be taught as if it were a craft; it is rather innate. I believe it comes to me over the many years of dancing. Your body develops grace, poise and your face is tuned with the finer nuances than enhance the expressions. Like I said, it is not something that can be summed up in a book, for sure. A lot of times girls are made to dress in a particular way, as a means to make them look sensual. That's where people go wrong. Sensuality is not how you move your body; it is how you use your face. So, while one can wear revealing clothes and all that to be a part of the character, to put your point across onscreen you must forget what you are wearing and concentrate on emoting via your face. That is something dance has taught me.
So nothing scares you as an actor? Even acting alongside Naseeruddin Shah or playing some whacked out characters...
Yes, I admit for my first scene with Naseer Sa'ab, somewhere at the back of my mind, I was like, I need to nail this... It is just the repertoire he comes with that makes you think like that but really, post the first scene, I relaxed and the thought just flew out of the window. He is a wonderful actor and a friendly person so that completely took care of it all. As far as the characters I have had to play are concerned, my only concern is that no matter what I do, I shouldn't look vulgar. I would hate to not be able to look into the eye of all my characters. I need to give them that respect, need to make sure that they are understood and accepted.
With that gorgeous face, it is certainly not an insurmountable feat, is it? At 46, people are still completely enamoured by you...
That is just because there are so many who love me. As a professional of course, I try my level best to look presentable but then that is not too much of a task because I do not have any bad habits. I don't smoke, drink or anything. I watch what I eat and dance a lot. I guess doing something that makes you happy, takes care of that glow' factor.

https://freepressjournal.in/sensuality-is-not-how-you-move-your-body-it-is-how-you-use-your-face-madhuri-dixit-nene/

Dhak-dhak girl, Madhuri Dixit makes a special appearance on Yeh Hai Aashiqui

This week, UTV Bindass has a treat in store for all the viewers as the dancing diva; Madhuri Dixit Nene will be seen in the upcoming episode of Yeh Hai Aashiqui. The show that chronicles unusual love stories will showcase a beautiful and unique love story of two dancers. The scintillating actress, who will be making her comeback in the much awaited movie Dedh Ishqiya, will make a special appearance on the show.

It goes without saying that Madhuri is a great dancer, but what most of us don't know is her love for arts and this episode is particularly close to her heart.Talking about her appearance on the show, Madhuri says, "Arts and culture are extremely close to my heart and I felt the same way about the story being showcased on Yeh Hai Aashiqui. The story of two passionate dancers whose spirit and worship for dance does not wither away with misfortunes is very similar to my character Begum Para, as dancing is her way of celebrating life and expressing her deepest emotions."

The upcoming episode on Yeh Hai Aashiqui is a love story of two dancers who live to and worship dance. But due to an unfortunate incident, the girl loses one of her legs. Her partner does not let her give up and motivates her to continue living her dream.

It would be extremely interesting to watch Madhuri Dixit Nene talk about love, life and her comeback along with host of Yeh Hai Aashiqui - Rithvik Dhanjani.

https://www.indiaforums.com/article/dhakdhak-girl-madhuri-dixit-makes-a-special-appearance-on-yeh-hai-aashiqui_53938