Madhuri Dixit recalls being told to fix her nose early in her career: ‘After Tezaab, nobody said anything about being skinny’

Madhuri Dixit

In her three-decade-long career, Madhuri Dixit has delivered classic hits, carving a niche for herself. However, things changed for her when Tezaab was released. While she is regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation, there was a time she was judged for her looks. In a recent interview, the diva recalled how, like every new actress, she was told to fix her nose and was even criticised for being skinny.

Madhuri Dixit on being told to fix her nose

Speaking to Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, Madhuri recalled, "A lot of people told me when I had just started - do this, how is your nose, your this, your that. I used to go and say, ‘Mom, they're saying this.' And my mom would say, ‘Don't worry about it. Once you have a successful movie, that's the very thing they'll love about you.'"

At the time, Madhuri admitted she struggled to believe her mother's confidence. However, everything changed when Tezaab was released. "After Tezaab, nobody said anything about being skinny or being this or that. People just accepted me for who I am. Even today, I tell the new girls - don't try to be in a mould. Don't say this is how a heroine should look. If you're different, that's a uniqueness you have. Play on that."

Madhuri Dixit's upcoming projects

Madhuri is once again in the spotlight, this time for her latest OTT series, Mrs Deshpande. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the show is officially adapted from the French series La Mante and stars Dixit as a serial killer. The show is currently streaming on JioHotstar.

When asked if the headline-grabbing idea of her playing a serial killer in Mrs Deshpande was what drew her to the show, Madhuri told mid-day, "No, I mean, that was not the reason why." Laughing at the thought of sensational headlines, she added, "It could have been. It's exciting enough, right? She's a killer, and she has a killer smile, and she kills with a smile."

Madhuri also highlighted how rare such roles are for women. "I don't think anybody has ever played a woman like a serial killer on the screen," she said, adding that it wasn't just the label that intrigued her. "There's the multilayered character. She's so calm, so composed, and yet she can make people feel very uncomfortable with the silences. Those things were very attractive about the character."