Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit (Marathi: माधुरी दीक्षित) (born Madhuri Shankar Dixit on 15 May 1967)is an Indian Bollywood actress. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and accomplished dancers.She appeared in numerous commercial successes and was recognised for several performances as well as dance numbers in various films. Dixit is often cited by the media as one of the most prominent female actresses in Bollywood.In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.
Early life
Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and wanted to be a microbiologist.She is an accomplished Kathak dancer and trained for eight years.
Film career
Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Abodh in 1984. After a few minor and supporting roles in movies like Dayvaan and Vardi, she landed the lead female role in Tezaab (1988), which shot her to stardom, and for which she received her first Filmfare nomination. She then starred in a number of hits that included Ram Lakhan (1989), Parinda (1989), Tridev (1989), and Kishen Kanhaiya (1990). After working in these films with Anil Kapoor, both became good friends. One day on set, Dixit attempted to shave Kapoor's trademark moustache, as she thought it looked rather ugly. In a protective stance, Kapoor beat her profusely. This act became widely known as Madhur Kuto and brought both stars international publicity. Dixit later apologized for her attempt at destroying Kapoor's crowning jewel and the two again became good friends, and still are to this day.

In 1990, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's romantic-drama Dil, alongside Aamir Khan. She played the role of Madhu Mehra, a rich and arrogant young girl who falls in love with Raja, played by Khan, and later leaves her house in order to marry him. The film became one of the biggest box-office hits of the year in India, and Dixit's performance earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.

She followed Dil with another line of hits, including Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Khalnayak (1993), Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! (1994), and Raja (1995). Dixit's performance in Beta, that of a woman married to an illiterate, well-meaning man who exposes her scheming mother-in-law, won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Actress.Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! became one of the biggest grossers ever in the history of Hindi cinema. It went on to collect over Rs. 650 million in India and over Rs. 150 million overseas, and won Dixit her third Filmfare Best Actress Award. In that same year, Dixit was also nominated in the same category for her performance in Anjaam, which won her critical acclaim.
After an unsuccessful year in 1996, Dixit appeared as Pooja in Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). The film was a major national success, both critically and commercially, and Dixit won her fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.In that same year, Dixit starred in Prakash Jha's critically acclaimed Mrityudand. The film was known for straddling the boundary between a commercial and an art film. It won the Best Feature Film award at the Cinéma Tout Ecran in Geneva and the Bangkok Film Festival. Dixit's performance in the film landed her the Best Actress award at the annual Star Screen Awards.

Dixit is not only known for her acting skills, but for her dancing skills as well. Her dance sequences, accompanying famous Bollywood songs such as Ek Do Teen (from Tezaab), Humko Aaj Kal Hai (from Sailaab), Bada Dukh Deenha (from Ram Lakhan), Dhak Dhak (from Beta), Chane Ke Khet Mein (from Anjaam), Didi Tera Devar Deewana (from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun!), Choli Ke Peechhe (from Khalnayak), Akhiyan Milaun (from Raja), Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (from Yaarana), Kay Sera Sera (from Pukar), Maar Daala (from Devdas), among others, have received abundant critical acclaim.

In 2002, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas with Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Her performance was applauded and earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. The film attracted worldwide attention and was featured at the Cannes Film Festival.

The following year a film named after her, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon!, was releasedin which a woman (played by Antara Mali) aspires to become the new Madhuri Dixit by trying her luck in the Bollywood industry.

On 25 February 2006 she performed on stage for the first time in six years at the Filmfare Awards to music from her last movie Devdas.Her performance was choreographed by Saroj Khan.Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Husain who considers her the epitome of womanhood. Hence he made a film named Gaja Gamini (2000) in which Madhuri acted. The film was intended as a tribute to Ms. Dixit herself.In this film she can be seen portraying various forms and manifestations of womanhood including the muse of Kalidasa, Leonardo's Mona Lisa, a rebel, and an incarnation of musical euphoria.

On 7 December 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai along with her husband and sons to start filming for Aaja Nachle (2007).The film released in November 2007 and despite the critics panning it, Dixit's performance was highly appreciated,with the New York Times commenting about her that "she's still got it".

On Women's International Day in 2007, Dixit topped Rediff's list of the Best Bollywood Actresses Ever.In May 2008,she was given a tribute by Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles.In March 2010, The Economic Times has named Madhuri Dixit in the list of the "33 women who made India proud"
Personal life
In 1999, Madhuri Dixit married Shriram Madhav Nene, a UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon who practices in Denver. Dr. Nene is from a Marathi Konkanastha Brahmin family. She has two sons, Arin (born on 18 March 2003 in Colorado) and Raayan (born on 8 March 2005 in Colorado).

She has two elder sisters, Rupa and Bharathi, and an elder brother, Ajit. Madhuri and her family reside in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards
Won

1991: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Dil
1993: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Beta
1995: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
1998: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Dil To Pagal Hai
2003: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Devdas
Nominated

1989: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Tezaab
1990: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Prem Pratigya
1992: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Saajan
1994: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Khalnayak
1994: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Anjaam
1996: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Raja
1996: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Yaraana
2001: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Pukar
2002: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Lajja
2008: Filmfare Best Actress Award for Aaja Nachle

Star Screen Awards
Won

1994: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Hum Aapke Hain Kaun!
1995: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Raja
1997: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Mrityudand
2002: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actress for Devdas
Nominated
2000: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Pukar
Zee Cine Awards
Won
1998: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor - Female for Dil To Pagal Hai
2002: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female for Lajja
Nominated
2000: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor - Female for Pukar
2003: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor - Female for Devdas
IIFA Awards
Nominated
2000: IIFA Best Actress Award for Pukar
Stardust Awards
Nominated
2008: Stardust Star of the Year Award - Female for Aaja Nachle
Honours and recognitions
1997: "Kalabhinetri" award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh
2001: National Citizen's Award
2001: Forbes named Dixit among the Top Five Most Powerful Indian Movie Stars.
2007: "Bollywood's Best Actress Ever"
2008: Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India
2008: Honored at IFFLA Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

Filmography
Year Film Role Other notes
1984 Abodh Gauri
1985 Awara Baap
1986 Swati Anandi
1987 Mohre Maya
Hifazat Janki
Uttar Dakshin Chanda
1988 Khatron Ke Khiladi Kavita
Dayavan Neela Velhu
Tezaab Mohini Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1989 Vardi Jaya
Ram Lakhan Radha
Prem Pratigyaa Laxmi Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Ilaaka Vidya
Mujrim Sonia
Tridev Divya Mathur
Kanoon Apna Apna Bharathi
Parinda Paro India's official entry to the Oscars
Paap Ka Anth
1990 Maha Sangram
Kishen Kanhaiya Anju
Izzatdaar Mohini
Dil Madhu Mehra Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin Anita
Jeevan Ek Sangharsh Madhu Sen
Sailaab Dr. Sushma
Jamai Raja Rekha
Thanedaar Chanda
1991 Pyaar Ka Devata Devi
Khilaaf Sweta
100 Days Devi
Pratikaar Madhu
Saajan Pooja Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Prahaar Shirley
1992 Beta Saraswati Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Zindagi Ek Jua Juhi
Prem Deewane Shivangi Mehra
Khel Seema/Dr.Jadi Buti
Sangeet
1993 Dharavi Dreamgirl
Sahibaan Sahibaan
Khalnayak Ganga (Gangotri Devi) Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Phool
Dil Tera Aashiq Sonia Khanna/Savitri Devi
Aansoo Bane Angaray
1994 Anjaam Shivani Chopra Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! Nisha Choudhury Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1995 Raja Madhu Garewal Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Yaraana Lalita/Shikha Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1996 Prem Granth Kajri
Paapi Devta
Raj Kumar
1997 Koyla Gauri
Mahaanta Jenny Pinto
Mrityudand Ketki
Mohabbat Shweta Sharma
Dil To Pagal Hai Pooja Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1998 Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan Madhuri Dixit Special appearance
Wajood Apoorva Choudhury
1999 Aarzoo Pooja
2000 Pukar Anjali Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Gaja Gamini Gaja Gamini/Sangita/
Shakuntala/Monika/Mona Lisa
2001 Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke Neha
Lajja Janki Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2002 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Radha
Devdas Chandramukhi Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
India's official entry to the Oscars
2007 Aaja Nachle Diya Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award