Madhuri Dixit-Nene: Women no longer just eye candy in films

She ruled the roost in Bollywood in the 1990s with her fluid dancing expressive face enduring smile and effortless grace Madhuri Dixit who has seen the Hindi film industry go through changes in her three decades in showbiz says shes glad to see the emergence of stronger women characters on the silver screenMadhuri DixitFor her its a welcome departure from earlier times when Hindi films were constantly more focused on the heroes and heroines were relegated to supportive rolesNowadays women are given more importance in a film Neerja is one of the examples where Sonam Kapoor plays an air hostess and saves a lot of people Theres even Alia Bhatt in Udta Punjab where she plays an innocent girl from Bihar and how she gets involved in the whole drug sceneThough it Udta Punjab is not womanoriented womens parts have become much stronger than it used to be Women are now not just eye candy parts are written where she has an important role in society Madhuri told IANS in an email interview from MumbaiSince her debut film Abodh in 1984 Madhuri has remained a pivotal part of the Indian entertainment industry and has enthralled fans through meaty roles in films like Tezaab Ram Lakhan Dil Beta Hum Aapke Hain Koun Anjaam Mrityudand Pukar Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas She also starred in Gulaabi GangHer journey in films slowed down when she got married to USbased doctor Shriram Nene But Madhuri says it was her personal choice to do less films as she had to look after her sons Arin and RayaanToday the trend is such that people do one film in a year Back then I remember I have done 12 films in a year too but those were the days and the way of working was different Today you can take your time read the scripts and choose the kind of roles you want And I think I like it more that wayI think its a personal choice if I have my kids and I want to be at home with them and spend my time with them I dont do that because people expect that from me I will do it because its my personal choice to do it All mothers feel that way not just celebrities the 49yearold saidMadhuri returned to Bollywood with Aaja Nachle in 2007Apart from her flawless acting Madhuri also has carved out her own niche in the industry as a versatile dancer through her highly appreciated performances in songs like Kay sera sera Chane ke khet mein and Dola re dolaThe actress can currently be seen as a judge on popular ampTV show So You Think You Can Dance Ab India ki Baari alongside choreographers Terence Lewis and Bosco MartisShe says dance reality shows have helped the art form evolve as a viable career optionIt has helped a lot since people now have become aware of the different styles of dancing Talent from small parts of India are getting discovered If may be reality shows werent there then I dont think that people from small towns would have been able to showcase their talent as widely Madhuri saidPeople have now become aware of dancing and such shows have helped a lot for the whole dance movement Even internet has given a lot of exposure There are so many contestants in our show who have learnt dancing from the internet added the actress who herself runs a popular online dance academy