The Netflix release 'Maa Bahan' has been generating plenty of conversation, and with it Madhuri Dixit is back in the spotlight. Audiences and critics alike have warmed to this dark comedy, particularly for its sharp and entertaining storyline. Tripti Dimri also plays a significant role in the film.
A Film That Asks an Uncomfortable Question
'Maa Bahan' is more than a laugh-out-loud watch. Wrapped in comedy, it strikes at a hard social truth — the way women are put on trial and ridiculed for their clothing, their choices, and even for simply existing on their own terms. Speaking on this very theme, Madhuri admitted that the film industry is no exception to this habit, and that she has experienced it firsthand.
The Taunts of Her Early Days
In the industry, actresses have always been measured against the yardstick of their looks, their choices and their appearance. In an exclusive interview with TrendKia, Madhuri shared a startling revelation about exactly this. She said that when she entered the business in the 1980s, she too had to put up with similar jibes and judgmental comments.
Recalling her experience, she said, 'You are a public figure and out there in front of everyone, so naturally people will say all kinds of things about you — that she is like this or like that. When I started my career, people thought I was very thin. They would often say, oh, feed her something. The truth is that when such things happen, people don't waste a second in judging you.'
'Gain Weight or Lose It, You'll Be Judged'
Pointing to the double bind of this attitude, Madhuri said, 'If you put on weight people judge you, and if you lose it they judge you too. In any case, this is common in India — the moment you meet someone, their first line is, oh, how fat she has become, or how shrivelled up she looks. People here don't apply any filter before they speak.'
Then Versus Now
Madhuri believes it was somewhat easier to shrug off such taunts in her time, because back then there was nothing like social media or trolling. She said, 'I believe you should let these things go in one ear and out the other and not pay too much attention. People judged just as much back then as they do today, but we never got to know about it because there was no such thing as social media.'
Self-Love Is the Real Weapon
Madhuri sees loving herself as the way to deal with this constant nitpicking and discrimination. She said, 'Today, because of social media, people can say anything while hiding their identity. But our entire focus should be on what we are doing, what our passion is and what gives us joy. The simple mantra is — first, learn to love yourself.'
The Truth Behind the Suresh Wadkar Story
An old anecdote tied to Madhuri's slimness has long floated around the gossip circuit — that famed singer Suresh Wadkar once turned down a marriage proposal sent by Madhuri's family simply because he found her too thin. Recently, in an interview, Suresh Wadkar himself completely dismissed the rumour. He said, 'She really was quite thin at that time. If you watch her first film 'Aboodh', you'll see just how slim she was. But the truth is that the proposal never actually reached me, so there is no question of my rejecting it.'
