"If you don't love yourself, you cannot be an actor."
In the gleaming world of Indian cinema, Madhurima Tuli is an actress of great calibre and amazing talent.
She has shone in South Indian cinema and has performed in Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil films.
In addition to Bollywood, Madhurima Tuli has also carved a name for herself in television and music videos.
In 2019, Madhurima became the runner-up in the ninth season of the reality dance show, Nach Baliye.
She is soon set to appear in the Hindi film, Tehran.
During our exclusive chat, Madhurima discussed her career, her advice for young actresses, and the differences between Bollywood and South Indian cinema.
She also gave us a sneak peek into her future projects.
DESIblitz proudly presents a thought-provoking interview with the refined star, Madhurima Tuli.
What inspired you to become an actress?
When I was studying in Odisha, I was always inclined towards extracurricular activities.
My mother kept sending me to dance classes like Kathak.
So that somehow stayed with me but I never believed that I would actually come to Mumbai and live my dreams.
When I went to Dehradun, my whole family shifted there.
Over there, I won a pageant called Miss Uttaranchal. I thought I would try my luck in Mumbai.
I came to Mumbai and pursued my passion and God has been great so far.
What films and TV shows have you enjoyed working in and what have they taught you as an artist?
I choose whatever I choose thinking I’m going to enjoy the character. I only take up that project then.
Sometimes, you do select the wrong project.
I think I enjoyed all my adverts. Then, to begin with, I enjoyed Kumkum Bhagya, Chandrakanta – Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha, Baby, 24, and Avrodh: The Siege Within.
These are some projects which are very, very close to my heart.
What differences have you noticed between the Hindi film industry and South cinema?
I think it’s the language. Other than that, there is no difference as such.
But I would say that they are way more professional. [Hindi cinema] is also very professional.
The Hindi film industry is also learning from them and getting more professional.
Other than that, it is the same camera department, direction, and actors learning their lines and performing.
South Indian storytelling is definitely larger-than-life. They make it more dramatic because that is what South people enjoy watching.
They’ve only grown up watching that and some films become very popular worldwide.
RRR and Baabubali are not just South Indian but they are very Indian.
They bring out more culture and I think that is what connects with the audience.
What do you think Hindi cinema specifically needs to learn from the South?
Hindi cinema is honestly doing much better now rather than just copying South films or remaking movies.
Luckily, now we have so many good films like Laapataa Ladies and 12th Fail.
So I think now we are evolving and making good films which can also relate to rural areas.
Not just fun, commercial cinema but also message-based cinema.
I think South Indian cinema is very rooted and they make culturally relevant films which are always relatable.
For example, if you make a beautiful love story where a girl or boy falls in love, they make that journey so beautifully.
That is what connects with the audience and I think Hindi cinema has some beautiful love stories now.
In between, we had lost the track but I think we are coming back now.
We are coming back with some beautiful cinema and some filmmakers are making some amazing films.
Luckily, we are getting back on track.
As an artist, do you prefer reality shows or television serials?
If it is a finite show, I enjoy working on it. I cannot do a long show spanning three or four years.
It becomes a little difficult for me so I enjoy doing finite shows and reality shows. These are my two favourites.
Nach Baliye 9 was amazing. It’s very difficult because you get only four days to learn the whole song.
Then the performance comes where you are being judged by the judges and the audience.
It is so taxing but it is so enjoyable and so much fun because you get to learn so much.
Every day, you are learning. You don’t feel like getting up in the morning and going for that rehearsal but you have to go because you are doing this amazing show where you’re learning so much and performing.
You are in a competition so it is a very nice, healthy, competitive feeling and you are loved by so many people.
That is also very beautiful about it.
What advice would you give to budding actresses?
I would say that you need to focus because you sometimes lose that in Mumbai.
Hard work and perseverance too. I also think you need to keep auditioning.
There will be a time when you might just feel like giving up.
You won’t really get clicked in the auditions but if you have that passion and fire in you, you need to keep going.
Sometimes, it’s not only about acting. You also might need to pursue other activities like dancing or you might have other hobbies.
You don’t just focus on one thing and keep other things involved.
Patience is the most important thing so do not lose hope.
Which actors and filmmakers have inspired you?
Honestly, there are so many of them. In childhood, my mother used to watch a lot of Madhubala films.
I love her and I started enjoying Madhuri Dixit. She has been an inspiration throughout my career.
Sushmita Sen, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Jennifer Aniston – I think these actresses have really inspired me and influenced me.
I will tell you a story. When my mother was pregnant with me, she kept pictures of Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, and the tennis player Sydney Williams in front of her.
My name – Madhurima Tuli – is inspired by these two actresses, Madhubala and Madhuri Dixit.
Can you tell us a bit about Tehran and your upcoming projects?
I honestly cannot talk much about Tehran. I can just say that I’m playing John Abraham’s wife.
It is a spy thriller. The other is a film for Amazon Prime which stars Sanjay Kapoor and Arbaaz Khan.
Hopefully, Tehran will come out this year (2024) and the next project will hopefully be in early 2025.
So I’m keeping my fingers crossed – let’s see what happens.
Can you please tell us about your work in music videos? Are you planning to revisit that field?
When I came out of Bigg Boss, I was wondering how to take things forward.
A lovely couple, Mr and Mrs Sinha approached my brother for a music video.
So my brother started a company, SVMD, and I did a few music videos with that.
I’ve done some outside but I enjoy doing them in my company because that’s my own.
One was Hayaa which has almost 6.5 million views and one was Khwabeeda.
I would like to explore more music videos because they have a lot of potential.
If you have a good song, it connects with the audience and I think you also enjoy doing it.
It is just a one to two-day shoot and it’s just a feel-good thing.
What have you learnt in your life and career about self-love? How important is it to love oneself?
I think it’s the most important thing. If you love yourself, only then can you love others.
Only then can you love your craft. If you don’t love yourself, you cannot be an actor.
You need to love yourself because only then will the audience like you.
Self-love is not just continuously working.
You need to spend time yourself, just chilling at home, doing what you enjoy like travelling, cooking, horse-riding and other such hobbies.
Maybe just relaxing by the pool or at the beach.
So self-love is very important and only then can you be successful.
Madhurima Tuli is a star of radiance, talent, and charisma.
However, she also possesses some valuable words that everyone can learn something from.
Summarising her journey, she adds: “My journey has been a rollercoaster ride.
“I’ve had my share of ups and downs but I’ve had fun.
“It’s been a joyride and I hope that I continue doing what I love and continue entertaining everyone out there.”
It is all upwards for Madhurima Tuli and the audience remains firmly behind her.
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