Madhuri Dixit recalls Early Career Criticism on Looks

Madhuri Dixit, one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, has reflected on facing criticism about her appearance during the early days of her acting career.

The actress, who ruled Hindi cinema throughout the 1990s, admitted that the comments initially affected her confidence and perspective.

In a candid conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, Madhuri spoke about receiving frequent remarks about her nose, body, and overall looks.

She shared that she often turned to her mother for reassurance when the unsolicited advice became overwhelming.

Madhuri recalled, “A lot of people told me when I had just started doing this, how is your nose, your this, your that.”

She added that her mother would comfort her, reminding her that success would eventually change perceptions.

The actress said her mother told her, “Once you have a successful movie, that’s the very thing they’ll love about you.”

That moment arrived with the release of Tezaab, which transformed Madhuri into an overnight sensation.

Following the film’s massive success, Madhuri revealed that the criticism around her appearance completely stopped.

She explained that after Tezaab, nobody commented on her being skinny or questioned how she looked.

Madhuri said people accepted her for who she was, without trying to change her individuality.

Even today, she passes on that advice to younger actresses entering the industry.

She urged new actors not to fit into a rigid mould of what a heroine should look like.

According to Madhuri, being different is a unique strength that should be embraced and celebrated.

The actress is currently seen in the series Mrs Deshpande, produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Kukunoor Movies.

The show is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and is streaming on JioHotstar.

In Mrs Deshpande, Madhuri plays a convicted serial killer, marking a rare and bold role for a mainstream female star.

Her character is trained in Krav Maga, the Israeli self-defence martial art.

While women actors have explored negative roles before, portraying a ruthless and unredeemable killer remains uncommon in mainstream Indian cinema.

Madhuri believes this shift reflects how audiences have evolved over the years.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, she said audiences have become more receptive to layered and complex characters.

She explained that global content consumption during lockdowns played a major role in this change.

Madhuri said viewers now understand character depth and appreciate nuanced storytelling.

She added that exposure to international series and films has significantly matured audience preferences.

Reflecting on her own journey, Madhuri stated that breaking rules has always been part of her career.

She recalled starting with Abodh and even taking on supporting roles early on.

The actress emphasised that rules are meant to be challenged and redefined.

She described it as path-breaking that women are finally being offered such unconventional roles.

Meanwhile, Madhuri was recently seen captivating fans during a world tour across North America.

The tour covered six cities, including Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Houston, Chicago, and Boston.