Madhuri Dixit is arguably the most versatile actress in the Hindi film industry. In a career that's decades long, she has portrayed a variety of roles, ranging from a jolly girl Nisha in Hum Aapke Hai Kon, a passionate dancer Pooja in Dil To Pagal Hai, a courtesan Chandramukhi in Devdas, to a fierce leader Rajjo in Gulaab Gang. The actress is now all set to explore the role of a serial killer in Nagesh Kukunoor's psychological thriller series Mrs Deshpande. As the show inches closer to its release date, Madhuri talked about what drew her to this dark character and how this opportunity came with performing her own stunts.
In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Madhuri Dixit opened up about the importance of changing according to the time. She said, "A lot of times, because of these myths that exist, the artist doesn’t want to do that kind of film. They don’t want to change and are happy doing what they are."
She further added, "Times have changed, and the audience has changed. During the lockdown, people were watching a lot of series and movies from different parts of the world. They began to understand what layers are and how characters work. They have started liking those things. The audience has matured to a considerable extent due to their exposure."
Reflecting upon her career, she also stated, "Having said that, if you look at my career, I started with Abodh. I did some films where I played a supporting role, and yet, I managed to be where I am. So, I think rules are made to be broken. Somewhere, we needed to do that. It is path-breaking that women are getting these kinds of roles, and we have directors like Nagesh who think like that. And we need more directors who think like that."
Talking about her character in Mrs Deshpande, she revealed how Nagesh Kukunoor, director of the movie, convinced her to take on this role. She revealed, "He knew I was a commercial film actress, and this was an art film. He still approached me and said, ‘I only see you in this role’. I think I have been fortunate I got to work with a lot of different kinds of genres.”
Along with a dark character, Madhuri also got to perform some action sequences. The actress claimed that she was provided with a body double but she firmly refused the offer and decided to do the stunts on her own. She said, "It should look real; it should look believable that a woman who is so petite and looks like a normal housewife can do something like that. It has to look authentic. There’s also an element of surprise in that."
About Mrs Deshpande
Madhuri Dixit is all set to surprise her fans with one of her boldest roles yet in Mrs Deshpande.
The trailer of the show has already created a strong buzz among the moviegoers. It offers a strong yet unsettling vibe which has left the audience intrigued and eager.
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The Nagesh Kukunoor directed series is an adaptation of the renowned French psychological thriller series La Mante (The Mantis). It is all set to premiere on OTT platform JioHotstar from December 19.