Marathi cinema is on an upward trajectory: Madhuri Dixit

Actor Madhuri Dixit-Nene has been often asked as to what took her so long to enter the Marathi film industry. To which the Gulaab Gang (2014) actor says, “Der aaye par durust aaye, I know it has been after a while but I am glad I chose the right film to make my Marathi debut.” Ahead of the release of her first Marathi film, Bucket List, Madhuri opens up about the similarities she finds in herself with the lead character Madhura Sane and why her sons think she is a ‘cool mum’.

How much of Madhura Sane could you relate to?

A lot, because, you know, I was a housewife, I am a mother, a wife and I have in-laws and my mum. Also, she is a Maharashtrian and as a cultural pull, I could be related to that too. I can understand what the life of a housewife is like. There was a lot of identification with the kids also, one being a teenager and the other being a typical little one. Also, with teenagers, the issue is always with electronics and technology. I did relate to and understand the family structure and dynamics.

What do your kids Raayan and Arin Nene have to say about your new film and your popularity?

Well,for them it is a little surprising. For them I am just a mum at home, but they got to hear about my films and popularity from others. My older one (Raayan) came home one day and said, ‘You are a cool mum’. I asked him, why? He said, ‘Because all my friends say that I have a cool mum and she dances so well’. At home we don’t even let it affect us,I am their mum and nothing else really comes into our lives then.

Madhur Dixit on Prabhat Road, Pune during the shoot of her debut Marathi film Bucket List (Rahul RautHTPHOTO)

You have been a lucky charm for first time and new directors. This time again you are working with two-film old Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar. How was the experience?

We always discussed the character and it has always been a team effort. Tejas was confident ever since he came to me with the film. His narration was very clear and even when we shot he knew exactly what he wanted. I am not as diminutive as Madhura is, so there was a time when we wanted me to underplay a little more. I would give in my inputs on set, which something Tejas accepted and sometimes he did not (laughs).

What do you think of the Marathi industry and are you keen on doing more of its projects?

Marathi cinema is on an upward trajectory and has come a long way. It started beautifully with stalwarts such as Dadasaheb Phalke and then slowly went into a different zone. Now, in the recent years, it has come back to what Marathi films used to be. It is moving in the right direction, where content is king, they are handling so many different topics and people are accepting experiments. Now every film cannot be a Sairat (2016 ), similarly to the way you cannot always have a Sholay (1975 ). But, Marathi cinema itself has evolved so beautifully with subjects such as Killa (2015), Fandry (2013), Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) and Natasamrat (2016). I think I have come into it at a good phase. I have also ventured into production of Marathi films and our first project is the Adinath Kothare-starrer titled 15 August.

You are reuniting with actor Renuka Shahane on screen after 24 years?

I remember we met on the sets of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and we clicked because we both are Maharashtrians and come from a similar background. We shared such great vibes and kept in touch even after the film was done. When Tejas (Deoskar, director) told me that he was thinking of Renuka for a role in the film, I was so happy. But then there was a hiccup and she wasn’t able to make it. That’s when I called her and said that she has to do it. It was very sweet of her and she said, ‘Yes, I will do it for you’.

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