The last Female Superstars in Bollywood. (Part 2)

My first post on last female superstars was about Sridevi. Here is my part 2 of the post.

“Madhuri Dixit” she is often touted to be the Best thing that has ever happened to Indian Cinema. She was one of the few lucky actors in Bollywood who was the 'Darling' of both masses and classes. I’m sure almost everyone who is MAD about Madhuri would agree that it’s her smile that instantly connects with your heart, the smile is so pure, so serene, so heavenly!

What made Producers sign this phenomenal actress was not just her dedication and sincerity but also that they know for a fact that ‘Madhuri was a complete package’ they knew she can essay any role with ease, do any step and not look vulgar, wear anything and look good.

This post is a look at the Top 3 high's and low's in Madhuri’s career. By lows I don't mean she was bad in these movie all I mean is these low's affected her standing at the box office for brief while.

Top 3 High’s -

1. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! – Hum Aapke Hain Kaun can without any doubt be called a Milestone in Madhuri’s career. This movie made her the sweetheart of almost every Indian Middle Class family. She stole the thunder from her co-star Salman in this film, even in the opening credits it’s Madhuri whose name comes first before Salman (Such a rarity this is Indian Film Industy where Heroes are given an upper hand over the heroines)
Madhuri in the classic Hum Aapke Hain Kaun!

2. Dil To Pagal Hai – The only thing I can say about Madhuri in this movie is that she looked like a Dream in it. Her beauty was it’s peak Madhuri never looked so good before well in her early 30’s she captured everyone’s hearts by performance as Pooja/Maya and who can forget the instrumental classical dance number where she performs on Srk’s Drum beats right before the interval.

3. Devdas – Madhuri didn’t really have the screen time that Aish had in Devdas but she completely stole the show from Aish. Her screen presence is such that she overshadows her co stars and the proof of that is the confrontation scene where Paro and Chandramukhi meet for the first time.

Many loved the movie and felt it’s a classic and there were quite a few who felt the movie was long, boring and unbearable but even the ones who didn’t like the movie thought Madhuri was the only good thing in the movie. Infact Filmaker Anurag Basu who went on to make Dev D (Again an adaptation of Devdas) said that he thought SLB’S Devdas was only tolerable because of Madhuri in it. Infact Anurag even gave Madhuri a Tribute in his movie Dev D where Kalki is shown to be a Madhuri Fan.

Top 3 Lows –

Yaarana – Right after the Super-success of HAHK and Raja came Yaarana it had the hit number “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya” and was expected to be a Hit but it failed miserably at the Box Office.

This sleeping with enemy remake (which was an intense serious movie) was adapted and turned into a Mindless comedy by none other than our very own “David Dhawan”. Though the movie has several entertaining moments the pairing of Madhuri with Rishi and Raj Babbar just didn’t gel both Rishi and Raj were in their 50’s and looked old. P.S – Madhuri was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress award for this film.

Aarzoo - This is one of those films that never should have been made and even a Die-Hard Madhuri fans would not like this piece of crap. Everything from Direction to Music to Costume to Story line was plain bad. Akshay and Saif looked disinterested throughout the movie considering it took 6 years in making. The movie had same old love triangle plot where the heroine chooses her first love over the other leading men in the climax (Cliched!).

Hum tumhare hain Sanam – India’s leading superstars – Shahrukh, Madhuri, Salman in one movie sure should be good, right? No infact while watching this movie one wonder’s what made stars sign this movie was it the Bumper Success of the South Indian version of the film. It took a record breaking 8 years to complete and no doubt the subject was out-dated till the time it reached the cinema halls.Madhuri as Chandramukhi in Devdas!

What other celebs have to say about Madhuri –

A. K. Hangal - Last year, I accidently met Madhuri Dixit at Jaipur airport, when she was returning to Mumbai after shooting for Koyla, and I was returning after shooting for Zor. She, at once recognized me though we were meeting after nearly a decade, when we had worked together as father and daughter in Ilaaka. She took my bag from my hands, saying, "you are a senior citizen and should not carry this burden." What a noble gesture from a beautiful young girl who is a top film star today. (Quote from ‘Life and Times of A. K. Hangal’ by A. K. Hangal)

Ashok Kumar – “Madhuri is the only complete actress that Indian cinema has produced in 100 years.”
Katrina Kaif - “I am a fan of Madhuri Dixit. Her every dance, every expression, every movement, to me, is very aspirational ; especially expressions, which is very essential for an actor, where one can only try, try and try to get the perfect take. I don’t think there’s anybody like her. She is the most beautiful actress ever to come on screen.” (Aaj Tak News Dec 12, 2010.)

Karisma Kapoor on MD - "It was a great pleasure to work with Madhuriji. I have been a big fan of hers. She was so down to earth and hassle-free in the film we did together. Our work ethic is the same - dedicated n focused, so it was very easy to get along with her. Even my Dad is extremely fond of her. " (Savvy Oct 2010 Issue)

Yash Chopra - “I have never seen her cribbing about anything or shirk any responsibility. I always knew that the industry will call her back and I am happy that she is making a comeback in Yashraj’s Aaja Nachle. She is the queen of Bollywood and always be so.”

Karan Johar - “Post Madhuri Dixit I don’t think there has been any queen bee. The crown lies without the queen” (Time Of India 25 May 2007)