'Too thin to be a heroine ... too big a star to make Insta Reels.' Lessons from Madhuri Dixit on how to deal with criticism, negativity
The actress has dealt with criticism with detachment, and responded to them with a stoic silence.
By ET Online |
Agencies
Way before the nepotism debate started a young and petite Maharashtrian girl made her way into Bollywood ruled by the likes of Sridevi, and Juhi Chawla. At the time, the actress was told she was ‘too thin’, as compared to the contemporary actresses, and that may stand in the way of her becoming a star.
The actress, however, paid little attention to her BMI and more to her performances, although that didn’t help either, since the young actress starred in a string of flops from 1984 to 1988. However, things changed for her in 1988 when the release of ‘Tezab’, and her dance number ‘Ek Doon Teen’ became a national obsession, catapulting her to stardom. No prize for guessing that the actress we are talking about is Madhuri Dixit.
The ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl, who turns 55-year-old today, has been through the pinnacle of Bollywood glory, and has therefore known her fair share of criticism. When she was a newcomer, naysayers thought she had little chance of bypassing Sridevi and Juhi Chawla, but she did. During the zenith of her career, while her trademark haircut became quite a rage, she was often be criticised for her style choices. However, Dixit always took these criticisms in her stride, and somehow managed to pull off baggy jackets, strange hair accessories, glossy lips and loud makeup, and toned down their exaggerated effect with her smile. That wasn’t the worst that Dixit took on.
One of the worst criticisms that the 'Anjaam' actress faced in her life was when she allegedly had an affair with Sanjay Dutt, which broke up the actor’s marriage with his first wife, Richa. At the time of the affair Richa was going through a tumour treatment, and was reportedly crestfallen when Dutt cast her aside in favour of Dixit. The ‘Kalank’ actress was dubbed as a home breaker in several magazines and newspapers, and then Dutt was arrested in connection to possession of illegal firearms, following which Dixit chose to go separate ways. However, during this very difficult phase, the actress maintained a stoic silence and focussed on her work, while the media raged a storm of controversy concerning her relationship with the actor.
Even as she aged, she has kept her cool and dealt with criticism with the same detachment as she did when she was a newcomer. In a recent interview, the actress revealed that people often ask her to refrain from making Instagram Reels, because they believe it doesn’t suit a star of her stature.
The Bollywood diva, however, pays little heed to such unsolicited advise and the criticisms that came her way on social media.
Dixit, who enjoys posting her dancing reels on Instagram, recently told Indian Express that "There are times when people have told me doing certain things won’t suit me because ‘I am a big star’, like doing reels, etc. But how does that matter?"
"You should do what you want to do. I enjoy what I do, so I keep doing it, that too quite passionately," she added.
Happy birthday, Madhuri Dixit!
The actress, however, paid little attention to her BMI and more to her performances, although that didn’t help either, since the young actress starred in a string of flops from 1984 to 1988. However, things changed for her in 1988 when the release of ‘Tezab’, and her dance number ‘Ek Doon Teen’ became a national obsession, catapulting her to stardom. No prize for guessing that the actress we are talking about is Madhuri Dixit.
The ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl, who turns 55-year-old today, has been through the pinnacle of Bollywood glory, and has therefore known her fair share of criticism. When she was a newcomer, naysayers thought she had little chance of bypassing Sridevi and Juhi Chawla, but she did. During the zenith of her career, while her trademark haircut became quite a rage, she was often be criticised for her style choices. However, Dixit always took these criticisms in her stride, and somehow managed to pull off baggy jackets, strange hair accessories, glossy lips and loud makeup, and toned down their exaggerated effect with her smile. That wasn’t the worst that Dixit took on.
One of the worst criticisms that the 'Anjaam' actress faced in her life was when she allegedly had an affair with Sanjay Dutt, which broke up the actor’s marriage with his first wife, Richa. At the time of the affair Richa was going through a tumour treatment, and was reportedly crestfallen when Dutt cast her aside in favour of Dixit. The ‘Kalank’ actress was dubbed as a home breaker in several magazines and newspapers, and then Dutt was arrested in connection to possession of illegal firearms, following which Dixit chose to go separate ways. However, during this very difficult phase, the actress maintained a stoic silence and focussed on her work, while the media raged a storm of controversy concerning her relationship with the actor.
Even as she aged, she has kept her cool and dealt with criticism with the same detachment as she did when she was a newcomer. In a recent interview, the actress revealed that people often ask her to refrain from making Instagram Reels, because they believe it doesn’t suit a star of her stature.
The Bollywood diva, however, pays little heed to such unsolicited advise and the criticisms that came her way on social media.
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Dixit, who enjoys posting her dancing reels on Instagram, recently told Indian Express that "There are times when people have told me doing certain things won’t suit me because ‘I am a big star’, like doing reels, etc. But how does that matter?"
"You should do what you want to do. I enjoy what I do, so I keep doing it, that too quite passionately," she added.
Happy birthday, Madhuri Dixit!
The 'Dhak Dhak' girl of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit Nene turns 54 today. As the powerhouse actress celebrates her birthday, let's take a look at the 10 most unconventional roles played by the star.
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