Chandramukhi
File:Chandramukhi1.jpg Theatrical poster depicting 50 days of run.
Directed by	P. Vasu
Produced by	Ramkumar Ganesan Prabhu Ganesan
Screenplay by	P. Vasu
Story by	Madhu Muttam
Starring	Rajinikanth Prabhu Ganesan Jyothika Nayantara Vadivelu
Music by	Vidyasagar
Cinematography	Sekhar V. Joseph
Studio	Sivaji Productions
Distributed by	Sivaji Productions
Release date(s)	April 14, 2005 (India) June 23, 2006 (Japan)
Running time	166 minutes
Country	‹See Tfd› India
Language	Tamil
Budget	22 crore (US$4.39 million)[1]
Box office	60 crore (US$11.97 million)[1][2][3]

Chandramukhi (Tamil: சந்திரமுகி) is a 2005 Indian comedy-horror film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Ramkumar Ganesan. With a few deviations, it is a remake of Vasu's 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, which was in turn a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu. The soundtrack and background score, which became successful enough to be released as a separate album, was composed by Vidyasagar. The film was distributed by Sivaji Productions.

It starred Rajinikanth, making Chandramukhi his "come back" film after the controversy regarding Baba. The title role was played by Jyothika while Prabhu Ganesan and Nayantara were also given lead roles. Vadivelu, Nassar, K. R. Vijaya, Vijayakumar, Vinaya Prasad, Sonu Sood, Vineeth and Malavika were given supporting roles. It was released on 14 April 2005 (India), coinciding with Tamil New Year, to become the largest opening in Tamil cinema at the time.

As of 25 June 2007, it became the longest ever running South Indian film and still holds this record, completing 891 days^[4][5][6] at Shanthi Theater in Chennai, passing the record of the 1944 devotional film Haridas.^[4]

Plot[link]

This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. (July 2011)

The movie opens with Saravanan (Rajinikanth), an Indian-American psychiatrist coming to India on vacation. He meets up with his friend and foster brother, Senthilnathan (Prabhu Ganesan), and his wife, Ganga (Jyothika). Senthil and Saravanan's mother Kasturi (K. R. Vijaya) wanted Senthil to marry his paternal aunt, Akhilandeshwari's (Sheela) eldest niece Priya (Malavika), daughter of Kandaswamy (Nasser) to reunite the two families after 30 years of separation. They separated because their father was supposed to marry his intimidating older cousin, Akhilandeshwari, who is the bachelorette family head of her late parents' family, and Priya's paternal aunt and foster mother. However he marries Ganga. Saravanan learns that they have bought the Vettayapuram Palace, despite a fear of the place and attempts by the elders to dissuade them. Saravanan moves in with them. Akhilandeshwari is jealous of Saravanan and with her assistant (Sonu Sood) she tries to destroy Saravanan.

When they go to a temple, a priest reveals why everyone is frightened. When King Vettayan lived in the palace, he took a trip to Andhra Pradesh and met the dancer Chandramukhi, instantly falling in love with her beauty. However, she would not return his love because her heart was already set on the dancer Gunasekaran. Vettayan kidnapped her and brought her back to his palace. Chandramukhi, without letting the king know, had Gunasekaran stay in a nearby house. When the king found out, he killed Gunasekaran on Durgashtami and burned Chandramukhi alive. Chandramukhi's spirit continued to remain in the palace to take revenge on the king. Legend had it that her soul was locked up in the southern room with a king cobra. Shortly afterward, Saravanan helps Priya with her love affair with their neighbour, dance professor Viswanathan (Vineeth), and persuades her parents and aunt to speak with him to arrange their marriage.

When Ganga learns of Chandramukhi's story, she wants to go to her room because she thinks that this story was made up to scare thieves from stealing costly treasures which she believes are in the room. She gets the key and opens the door. Subsequently, strange things begin happening in the household: a ghost is scaring the people in the house, things are inexplicably breaking, and Ganga's sari catches on fire. Suspicion turns towards Durga (Nayantara), the gardener's granddaughter. Senthil calls Saravanan for help with the mysterious events. The night Saravanan returned, a mysterious being made an attempt to kill Priya. As someone tries to kill Senthil, once with poison, and another time by pushing a fish tank, a mysterious voice sings in the middle of the night, and Saravanan tries to figure out what's happening. The night of Priya and Viswanathan's wedding reception, Ganga mysteriously disappears from the canopy. When Saravanan notices, he goes to look for her. But he ends up almost getting killed by the goon sent by Akhilandeshwari for arranging her niece's marriage. He knocks the goon out and, with Senthil's help, they find Ganga, supposedly being sexually harassed by Viswanathan. Saravanan informs Senthil and Viswanathan that Ganga has a split personality of Ganga and Chandramukhi. The reason she tried to kill Priya and Senthil, and frame Viswanathan for sexual harassment, was because in Chandramukhi's eyes, Viswanathan is her lover Gunasekaran, who looks just like him. The only way to stop it is to make her believe Saravanan is dead because Chandramukhi was killed by King Vettayan, who looked just like him.

Saravanan says that he will act as the king and let Chandramukhi kill him and get Chandramukhi out of Ganga's body, with the help of world-renown exorcist Ramachandra Acharya. He will sacrifice his life because he looks just like the king, and he went up to Chandramukhi's room and she saw him. Akhilandeshwari hears his idea, realising that she was wrong to try to destroy Saravanan and begs him for forgiveness. Later, in the dance hall, the family and Ramachandra Acharya did what Saravanan asked them to do. They let Chandramukhi pour oil on him so she can burn him alive. When she lights the match, Ramachandra Acharya blows the smoke and ash in her face. Then Senthil opens a trapdoor to let Saravanan fall down and a cardboard figure of him gets burnt. Chandramukhi thinks that the king is dead and leaves Ganga's body. Ganga is cured. After 30 years of separation, the two families are reunited. Saravanan and Durga have a love affair and she went with him. And finally, Swarna and Murugesh (Vadivelu) are parents after 8 years of marriage.

Cast and characters[link]

• Rajinikanth as Dr. Saravanan and King Vettaiyan. The role of Dr. Saravanan is a charismatic and highly social psychiatrist who goes about discovering the problems happening at the mansion and curing Ganga from her mental illness. He later disguises himself as Vettaiyan to trick Chandramukhi and curing Ganga. Rajinikanth's dual role and performance was well acclaimed in the film; it lacked his usual mass appearance as a hero and this time acted very versatile.
• Prabhu Ganesan as Senthilnathan. Senthilnathan is a road contractor who moves to the town of Vettaiyapuram with his wife, Ganga, to buy the Vettaiyapuram Mansion. He married his love interest Ganga abruptly without letting his mother know, when he was already proposed to his cousin, Priya. In fright of Akhilandeswari, they decide to live at the Vettaiyapuram mansion. He denies rumours that he hears about the haunted household and has no belief in ghosts or other superpowers. To possess Viswanathan, whom she thinks is her lover Gunasekaran, Chandramukhi tries to kill Senthilnathan twice with no success.
• Jyothika as Ganga Senthilnathan and Chandramukhi. Ganga is found suffering from split personality disorder; her second personality is the ghost of Chandramukhi. Ganga has a very curious and mischievous character. Married to Dr. Saravanan's friend Senthilnathan, she unlocks the ancient rooms of Vettaiyan and Chandramukhi, only to cause her family more trouble and having herself turn into the personality of Chandramukhi every so often, causing mysterious havoc in the family.
• Vadivelu as Murgesan. The clumsy younger brother of Akhilandeswary and Kandaswamy. He is often irritated by Saravanan who occasionally socializes with his wife.
• Nayantara as Durga. Durga is the granddaughter of the mansion's gardener, also the love interest of Dr. Saravanan. Her first few encounters with Saravanan went with arguments, as she later had interest in him, also needing his help to prove herself not guilty. She helps out Ganga in her adventure to explore Chandramukhi's room and is later wrongly accused by Senthilnathan and Kandaswamy of causing troubles in the family. When she is informed about Ganga's mental illness by Saravanan, she agrees to take as much blame as possible for Ganga to be cured. The role of Durga was initially given to Malayalam actress Kavya Madhavan.
• Vineeth as Viswanathan and Gunasekaran. Viswanathan is a dance tutor who is the principle love interest of Priya who let him live in another portion of the mansion. When their love was exposed by Saravanan, it was disliked by Akhilandeswari, who initially disliked the doctor. Viswanathan is looked upon by Chandramukhi as her lover Gunasekaran, who was beheaded by Vettaiyan. Viswanathan disguises as Gunasekaran during the climax when curing Ganga.
• Malavika as Priya Kandaswamy. Priya is the daughter of Kandaswamy who was mostly raised by her paternal aunt, Akhilandeswari. She was initially proposed for marrying Senthilnathan but her love for Viswanathan was later found out by Saravanan. Priya is also one of Chandramukhi's targets of killing to have Viswanthan, who she thinks is Gunasekaran, for herself.
• Sheela as Akhilandeswari. The intimidating older sister of Kandaswamy and the bachelorette family head. She is very arrogant who wants things to be done her way. Her characteristics are highlighted when she often shows her dissatisfaction for Saravanan. She initially gets the urge to take revenge on Senthilnathan and Ganga for cheating on Priya and makes everyone live with the couple at the mansion. She tries to get rid of Saravanan through her mute servant whom she refers to as Oomaiyan.
• Nassar as Kandaswamy. The brother of Akilandeswary and Murugesan and father of Priya. He initially thinks that Saravanan is actually Senthilnathan, who was his soon-to-be son-in-law. He was proven wrong when it was clarified by Akhilandeswari. Kandaswamy accuses Durga for causing problems in the family and shows arrogance against Saravanan for socializing with his daughter.
• Vinaya Prasad as Lakshmi Kandaswamy. The obedient wife of Kandaswamy and mother of Priya.
• Vijayakumar as Thottakaarar. The poor gardener of the Vettaiyapuram mansion and grandfather to Durga. He advises Senthilnathan about the mansion before purchasing it, but Senthilnathan refuses to listen.
• K. R. Vijaya as Kasthuri. In a cameo role, veteran actress Vijaya plays Kasthuri, mother of Senthilnathan. She married Akhilandeswari's in-law which caused a family dispute for nearly 30 years. To end the dispute, she planned on proposing her son Senthilnathan to Akhilandeswari's niece Priya, which also didn't happen.
• Sonu Sood as Oomaiyan. The mute servant of Akhilandeswari who is always shown giving cunning smiles to himself. He is sent by Akhilandeswari at one point to kill Saravanan, which turns out to be unsuccessful for her.

Production[link]

Yesteryear actress Sheela was signed up for a significant role in the film and was asked by the producers not to divulge the role to the media.^[7] In November 2004, Simran left the project as her role required a lot of dancing and it would be risky for the pregnant actress to play it on screen.^[8] After reports that Sadha^[9] or Reemma Sen were being considered as replacements, Jyothika was signed on and immediately gave 50 days of her schedule for the film.^[10][11]

Filming began on October 24, 2004 at Annai Illam, the residence of late Sivaji Ganesan, like most other films by Sivaji Productions. Producer Ramkumar Ganesan claimed that the film would be entirely wrapped up by February 15, giving them two months to complete the post-production work, including special effects.^[12] The schedules began two days later with a fight scene filmed at Ramavaram in Chennai with over 20 vehicles.^[13] Shooting ceased in February 2005 in Hyderabad with a song being shot^[14] and Vasu revaling that the film had only taken 78 days to complete instead of the planned 120 days.^[15]

After the audio launch, Rajinikanth and Nayantara shot a song in Turkey, making the production the first Tamil film to do so.^[16] The song "Athinthom" was shot at a Mysore palace.^[17]

Soundtrack[link]

The soundtrack consists of six songs composed by Vidyasagar.

Telugu[link]

Remakes[link]

The original Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu was subsequently remade or dubbed in several other languages and found success in the respective regional cinemas. Chandramukhi is the second remake of Manichithrathazhu after the Kannada version, Aaptamitra, which was also directed by P. Vasu. The Tamil version was dubbed into Telugu with the same title. Rajmohol (2005) in Bengali. Later, it became the first Tamil film to be dubbed into German and it was released in several German-speaking countries as Der Geisterjäger (lit. The Ghost Hunters). On 29 February 2008, producer A. M. Rathnam dubbed and released the film in Hindi, despite Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the Bollywood remake of Manichithrathazhu, having been released on 12 October 2007. The film was also dubbed in Bhojpuri with the title Chandramukhi Ke Hunkaar.

Below is a character map of the lead characters in the story of Manichithrathazhu and its remakes.

Awards[link]

• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress: Jyothika
• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor: Rajinikanth
• 55th Fans Association Best Actress Award: Jyothika
• Dinakaran Best Actress Award: Jyothika

Controversy[link]

Though the movie was a remake, the story did not credit Madhu Muttam, who wrote the story for Manichithrathazhu. Instead, the story was credited to the director P. Vasu.^[18] The same controversy happened in Vasu's Apthamitra. Vasu, however stated that the script was revised and was different from the original, though very slightly.^[19][20]

Sequel[link]

A sequel to Chandramukhi, tentatively titled Chandramukhi 2 in Tamil, is currently being made by P. Vasu, who directed the sequel to Apthamitra, titled Aptharakshaka. In 2008, Vasu proposed the script of the film to Rajinikanth, who initially expressed desire to take up a dual role as Dr. Saravanan and Vettaiyan. In 2010, it was reported that Rajinikanth suggested Ajith Kumar for the dual lead role.^[21] Sameera Reddy was also rumoured to have been approached for a role.^[22]

A sequel to Chandramukhi in Telugu is made in the same language as Nagavalli by P. Vasu starring Venkatesh Daggubati in the lead along with Anushka Shetty, Richa Gangopadhyay, Shraddha Das, Poonam Kaur, and Kamalinee Mukherjee.

Release[link]

The film was released on 14 April 2005, on the eve of Tamil New Year, alongside Kamal's Mumbai Xpress and Vijay's Sachein. Upon its release, Chandramukhi created a box office record. As of 25 June 2007, it became the longest ever running South Indian film and still holds this record, completing 891 days^[4][5][6] at Shanthi Theater in Chennai, passing the record of the 1944 devotional film, Haridas. Satellite rights were acquired by Sun TV.^[23]

Reviews[link]

Sify wrote, "First thing first. Rajnikanth’s Chandramukhi is far better than his last film Baba, yet it leaves you with somewhat mixed feeling. Undoubtedly the plot is nothing but Fazil’s Manichitrathazhu from Malayalam. But Chandramukhi is a remake of P. Vasu’s Apathamitra from Kannada with some additional songs, fights and comedy scenes thrown in to further boost the superstar’s image".^[24]

Idlebrain wrote, "Plus points are the performances of Rajnikant and Jyothika. Negative points are insipid screenplay, mediocre music and insistent cinematography. This subject does not suit the macho image of Rajnikant".^[25]

Behindwoods wrote that the "film is hitched to Rajini’s band of diehard fans and can be watched once".^[26]

Rediff wrote "it is a hit".^[27]

See also[link]

• Enna Kodumai Saravanan Idhu

References[link]

External links[link]

• Chandramukhi at the Internet Movie Database
• Official site
• Review
• Box office

Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit in 2011
Born	(1967-05-15) 15 May 1967 (age 45) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1984–2002 2007–present
Spouse	Dr Shriram Madhav Nene (1999–present)
Website
www.madhuridixit-nene.com

Madhuri Dixit (born on 15 May 1967)^[1] is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi films. Often cited by the media as one of the best actresses in Bollywood,^[2][3] Dixit made her film debut in Abodh (1984) and received wider public recognition with Tezaab (1988). She went on to establish herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses, acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing.^[4]

Some of her proceeding films include such box-office hits as Dil (1990), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Raja (1995). After a relatively low phase, she reinvented herself with the romance Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and subsequently received critical acclaim for her work in films like Mrityudand (1997), Pukar (2000), Lajja (2001) and Devdas (2002). In 2002, she retired from films in order to raise her children and made a comeback with the musical Aaja Nachle in 2007.

Dixit has won five Filmfare Awards, four for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress. She holds the record for the highest number of Best Actress nominations (13) at Filmfare. In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.^[5]

She is married to Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, with whom she has two children. The couple resided in the United States before moving to India in 2011.

Early life[link]

Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and studied to be a microbiologist.^[6] She is a trained Kathak dancer^[7] and a great admirer of it.^[8]

Film career[link]

1980s[link]

Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Rajshri Productions' movie Abodh in 1984. The film failed but minor and supporting roles continued to follow.

In 1988, Dixit attained stardom after she landed the lead female role of Mohini in N. Chandra's blockbuster Tezaab opposite Anil Kapoor. The film went on to become that year's highest grossing movie.^[9] Dixit received her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

In 1989, Dixit continued her success by starring in a number of successful hit movies. Her first release was Subhash Ghai's movie Ram Lakhan, in which she was paired once again with Anil Kapoor. The film became a super-hit movie and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year.^[10] Dixit's next release Prem Pratigyaa, in which she starred opposite Mithun Chakraborty, earned her second nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit's next big performance came in the multi-starrer Tridev, in which she was paired with Sunny Deol. The movie became the year's third highest grossing film. Dixit continued her success with her third pairing with Anil Kapoor in Parinda.

1990s[link]

In 1990, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's romantic-drama Dil opposite Aamir Khan. She played the role of a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love with a poorer boy and later leaves her house to marry him. The film became the biggest box-office hit of the year in India^[11] and Dixit's performance earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.

After the success of Dil, Dixit became one of the top actresses of Bollywood. In 1991, she starred in Lawrence D'Souza's super-hit movie Saajan opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. The movie became the year's highest-grossing movie. Dixit's performance earned her the fourth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[12]

In 1992, Dixit featured in Indra Kumar's blockbuster Beta opposite Anil Kapoor.^[13] Dixit's performance of Saraswati, a woman married to an illiterate, well-meaning man who exposes her scheming mother-in-law, won her a second Filmfare Best Actress Award. Following the film's success, Dixit became famously known as the "Dhak Dhak Girl" for her performance in the famous song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga".

In 1993, Dixit starred in Subhash Ghai's super-hit Khalnayak opposite Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. Her portrayal of the police officer Ganga earned her a sixth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Khalnayak became the year's second highest grossing film.^[14]

In 1994, Dixit starred in Rahul Rawail's Anjaam, being paired with Shahrukh Khan for the first time. Dixit's performance of a revenge-seeking wife and mother earned her a seventh nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit was praised for her performance, though the film was a below average performer at the box office. Her next starring role was in Sooraj R. Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! opposite Salman Khan.The film became one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema. The film was a commercial success and made 135 crore in worldwide breaking the record of Sholay. It became the highest grossing Bollywood film in Hindi cinema history after its theatrical run and held the record for 7 years till the release of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Dixit's role of a modern yet family-oriented young girl fetched her the third Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. In the Millenium Edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records" Hum Aapke Hain Kaun became the Bollywood's highest grossing film.^[15]

In 1995, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's Raja opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The film became the fourth highest grosser of the year and she earned her ninth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[16] Her next release David Dhawan's Yaraana opposite Rishi Kapoor, in which she plays a dancer on the run from her abusive lover, earned her tenth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

After Raja, Dixit's career went into a slump during 1996 and much of 1997. However, she bounced back commercially with Yash Chopra's musical-romance Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997 alongside Shahrukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Her portrayal of a young woman faced with a moral dilemma fetched her a fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[17] The movie became the second highest grosser of the year.^[18] In that same year, Dixit starred in Prakash Jha's critically acclaimed Mrityudand.

2000s[link]

In 2002, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's melodrama Devdas. The film, which co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai saw Dixit portray the role of Chandramukhi, a prostitute in love with Khan. The film was a box-office success and her performance earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. The film was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. The following year a film named after her, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, was released^[19] in which a woman (played by Antara Mali) aspires to become the new Madhuri Dixit by trying her luck in Bollywood.^[20][21]

On 7 December 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai with her husband and sons to start filming for Aaja Nachle (2007).^[22] The film released in November 2007 and, despite the critics panning it, Dixit's performance was highly appreciated,^[23][24][25] with the New York Times commenting about her that "she's still got it".^[26][27]

On Women's International Day in 2007, Dixit topped Rediff's list of the Best Bollywood Actresses Ever.^[2] In May 2008, she was given a tribute by Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles.^[28] In March 2010, The Economic Times named Madhuri Dixit in the list of the "33 women who made India proud".^[3] She also received a Filmfare Special Award in honor of her 25 years in the Bollywood industry. In 2011, Rediff.com listed her in top 10 "Readers Choice: The Greatest Actresses of all time".^[29]

Dance[link]

Madhuri Dixit dancing on stage for the Unforgettable Tour in 2008

Dixit is not only known for her acting skills,^{[2][20][21][30][30][31]} but for her dancing skills as well.^[32] Often referred to as the "Dhak Dhak Girl", she is famous for her dance in the song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from the film Beta. She is also known for her dance sequences accompanying Bollywood songs such as "Ek Do Teen" (from Tezaab), "Humko Aaj Kal Hai" (from Sailaab), "Bada Dukh Deenha" (from Ram Lakhan), "Chane Ke Khet Mein" (from Anjaam), "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" (from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!), "Choli Ke Peechhe" (from Khalnayak), "Akhiyan Milaun" (from Raja), "Mera Piya Ghar Aaya" (from Yaraana), "Kay Sera Sera" (from Pukar), and "Maar Daala" (from Devdas).

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a Kathak dancer, who choreographed Dixit in the film Devdas calls her as "the best Bollywood dancer due to her versatility." ^[33]

Television appearances[link]

Dixit on the sets of Nach Baliye

In 2001 on the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati's first season, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, she won 50,00,000 that she donated for people affected in natural calamities. She also made an appearance in Season 4's Grand Finale that aired in 2010.

In 2002, Madhuri Dixit hosted a TV show Kahina Kahi Koi Hai which was a match-making show that aired on Sony Entertainment.^[34] She also made appearances on Koffee with Karan in Season 2 & Season 3 that aired in 2007 & 2011. Her Season 2 appearance was a solo appearance and in Season 3 she shared the chat show with Sonakshi Sinha.

Dixit has been guest on Nach Baliye Season 1 and 3, a celebrity-couple dancing competition in 2005 (aired on Star One) & 2007 (aired on Star Plus).

In 2011, she appeared as a judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 along with other co-judges Remo D'souza and Malaika Arora Khan.^[35]

Social work[link]

In 2009 Madhuri Dixit performed for NDTV Toyota Greenathon — India's first-ever nationwide campaign for save the environment and creating awareness about environmental issues. NDTV organised India's first 24-hour live telethon — a fund-raising event that brings in people to donate money to support TERI's initiative — Lighting a Billion Lives which aims at providing solar power to villages without electricity. Dixit became a part of this great social cause, and she performed her hit numbers on the live show.^[36][37]

On 3 February 2011 Dixit spent an evening with 75 orphanage kids of farmers at an ashram in Trimbakeshwar and participated in the birthday of two children: Hrishikesh and Rani. "We artists are ready to help such children. People from the higher society should come forward and stand firmly behind them," she said on the occasion.^[38]

Madhuri Dixit is a brand ambassador and a patron for Emeralds for Elephants — a charity project for the conservation of Asian Elephants and other endangered species. This project has been designed to create awareness and raise vital funds for the protection of the critically endangered Asian Elephant. A collaborative project between the World Land Trust (a UK based nonprofit environmental organisation) and the Wildlife Trust of India that is creating protected wildlife corridors connecting National Parks and protected areas to others. Speaking about the issue she said: "Elephants are one of my favourite animals and I love them. So what we need to do today is to see how we can preserve our animals. I feel very strongly about this."^[39]

Personal life[link]

Madhuri Dixit with Shriram Madhav Nene at the Filmfare 2011 Nominations Bash

On 17 October 1999, Madhuri Dixit married Shriram Madhav Nene, a UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon who practiced in Denver.^[40][41][42] Nene is also from a Marathi Brahmin family.^[43] They have two sons, Arin (born in March 2003) and Raayan (born in March 2005). After marriage, Dixit had relocated to Denver, US for almost a decade. In October 2011, Dixit again shifted her base back to Mumbai, India, along with her family.^[44]

Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Husain. He was so fascinated by Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! that he watched the film 67 times, and in 2007 he booked an entire theatre to see her comeback movie Aaja Nachle.^[45] He made a series of paintings of her, and in 2000 made a film named Gaja Gamini starring her, which was intended as a tribute to Dixit herself.^[46]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Madhuri Dixit

• Madhuri Dixit at the Internet Movie Database
• Official website
• Madhuri Dixit on Twitter