As someone who has grown up alongside Hindi cinema, Madhuri Dixit has seen the industry change in ways few others have. From her early days as a young newcomer to becoming one of Bollywood’s most respected performers, her journey spans nearly forty years. Yet, despite all that experience, the actress believes some decisions need patience, especially when it comes to exploring new roles beyond acting.
In a recent interview, Madhuri Dixit spoke about whether she plans to try her hand at direction. With women filmmakers doing exceptionally well today, the question naturally came up about whether she sees herself stepping into that space. Madhuri admitted that while her long career has given her exposure to different styles of filmmaking and a chance to learn from several directors, she does not feel ready just yet. According to her, direction demands a certain mindset and preparedness, and she would rather wait until she feels completely confident. However, she did not rule out the possibility altogether and hinted that it could happen someday when the time feels right.
During the conversation, Madhuri Dixit also took a nostalgic walk down memory lane, reflecting on how filmmaking has evolved since her debut film “Abodh” to her more recent work in “Mrs Deshpande”. Known fondly as the ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl, Madhuri pointed out that the industry today is far more organised than it was when she started out. In the earlier years, only a handful of producers followed a structured approach, while most sets functioned in a fairly unplanned manner.
Madhuri Dixit explained that acting back then relied heavily on instinct and spontaneity, whereas today there is far more preparation involved. Modern actors receive complete scripts in advance, spend time understanding their characters and have access to better facilities on set. Simple comforts like vanity vans and resting spaces, which are common now, were once unheard of. Actors would often wait outdoors between shots, sometimes sitting under the Sun with nothing more than an umbrella for shade.
Madhuri Dixit also highlighted how detailed preparation has become an essential part of filmmaking today. From costume planning and character looks to script readings and rehearsals, actors are now much more involved in the process before the camera starts rolling. For her, witnessing this evolution has been both fascinating and rewarding, reinforcing her belief that every phase of cinema has its own charm and challenges.
