‘You need to reinvent yourself with the times’: Madhuri Dixit-Nene on 'Total Dhamaal' and more...

Madhuri Dixit-Nene is amused that every time she has a movie up for release, it’s termed as her comeback. She laughs, “I think people should invent some new word now.” However, after a 35-year-long career (her first film Abodh released in 1984), she does feel that a new innings begins with Total Dhamaal. Whether it’s content or the kinds of roles written for women, the actress feels that there’s more scope to experiment today and she’s not sticking to any formula. She has a madcap comic caper like Total Dhamaal lined up, followed by a more emotional and layered Kalank this year. Apart from this, the 51-year-old is in talks with prominent filmmakers for a few other projects. In a freewheeling chat, the Padma Shri recipient discusses about writers emerging as the true game-changers in Bollywood and sharing screen space with her former co-stars once again. Excerpts...

Today, many of the ’90s actresses are playing prominent parts in movies. This wasn’t the case earlier... 

You need to reinvent yourself with the times. Now, we have more opportunities than what women had in the ’70s. There are so many diverse mediums today — whether it’s social media, TV or the digital platform — through which you can keep yourself busy. There’s a lot that an actor can do, other than just working in films. It also gives you opportunities to not just stick to your profession, but also utilise it to do other things that are relevant. Like women and children are subjects I feel strongly about, so I work on that with UNICEF. I have made proper use of the myriad platforms.

The old pairings too are back — Anil Kapoor is working with you, Juhi Chawla and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Sanjay Dutt will also share screen space with you and Manisha Koirala...

Everything has changed — from the writing to the audience. They don’t mind seeing married heroines or actors with kids. Nobody cares about all that anymore — they just want to see good films. If you act well and look good, they will appreciate it. Anilji is working with all his heroines from the ’90s.  The audience is more exposed to OTT platforms today, so you are watching eclectic roles, movies and series. Actresses of different ages are playing diverse roles. And people have started accepting that as they have matured. 

Male superstars have been traditionally paired opposite younger heroines. But do you think they are no longer hesitant of being paired with actresses they started with?

It’s not the actors who are making it possible for us. I believe it’s the writers who are making all the difference. I would give them the credit because they are creating these roles where women are portrayed in not just the stereotypical mother and sister characters. Whether you’re a mother or not, it doesn’t matter, you can still be a professional. In Tumhari Sulu (2017), Vidya Balan’s character becomes an RJ and does something out of the box for the family. She’s enjoying it and happy with it. Writing these roles have brought in a huge change for sure. 

Total Dhamaal brings you with a lot of your former co-stars. Barring Riteish Deshmukh, you’ve worked with almost everyone...

It’s a funny film. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to shoot Total Dhamaal. The team used to crack me up even more in-between shots, than what you’ll see in the film. This is a crazy bunch who is always ready with one-liners. Everyone is so entertaining and they are nice people. I have worked with most of them — Riteish (Deshmukh), Sanjay Mishraji and Pitobash are the only ones I had not worked with before. It was a blast shooting with everyone. This is one film which I have really enjoyed working on. 

The actress with her co-stars Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn

Did the reunion prompt you in a way to give your nod to the film?

Yes, of course. I have done three films with Induji (Indra Kumar). I’ll be working with Anilji after Pukar (2000) and Ajay Devgn after Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (2001). It’s a multi-starrer and you’re comfortable with the fact. You know it’s not going to be just you on the screen from start to end. But it’s a dhamaal film (laughs). I heard the script, I loved it and I did it.

As compared to Dedh Ishqiya (2014) and Gulaab Gang (2014), Dhamaal is lighter and more commercial. Was it a conscious move?

I did Dedh Ishqiya because it had a nice angle and the story was written cleverly. I did Gulaab Gang as it was about women empowerment. It was about a woman who took matters into her own hands and executed plans. So, it gave me a chance to do a lot of fights and stunts myself. That was wonderful for me. Then, there was the Marathi film Bucket List (2018), which was a sweet film. Now with Total Dhamaal, it’s a homecoming for me as I’ve worked with almost the entire team. Plus, it’s a comedy which I’m doing after a long time. I have done more serious movies in my career, so this gave me a different opportunity. Kalank is again a subdued, nuanced period film. So I thought it would be a nice collage.

Do you think comedy films in Bollywood are still underrated?

Not at all. Look at Badhaai Ho (2018), the sense of comedy in a film which deals about a rather serious topic of a mother getting pregnant in her 50s is outstanding. The way they have dealt with the situation in the film is extremely funny. Even Tumhari Sulu was a lovely script. There was a sense of humour attached to everything that was happening. Yes, Total Dhamaal is more commercial, it’s like an out-and-out comedy entertainer. This genre is also very ’90s — right from the scenes to the music and adventure mixed into one plot.