In this chat at the unveiling of the trailer of her debut film in Marathi- Bucket List, MADHURI DIXIT NENE reveals it all to JYOTHI VENKATESH, who incidentally had interviewed her way back in 1984 while making debut with Abodh for Bollywood. She explains what made her to say to ‘yes’ to the offer for her debut Marathi movie.
You have acted in a Marathi film for the first time in your career. What made you say yes to the offer?
My manager Meenakshi told me that one Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar wanted to direct me in a Marathi film. Tejas narrated the subject to me and I liked it. Tejas frankly told me that he wanted only me to play the role of Madhura Save in Bucket List and if I didn’t agree to be part of the project, he said that he would rather not make the film at all.The germ was good, but I felt that the script had to be developed. He was ready to develop the script and narrated it to me after six weeks. I heard it and liked it and said yes to him
But why did it take you almost 34 years to make your debut in a Marathi film?
Why ask me why I am late? I’d say that it is better late than never. I was waiting for the right script to come my way.
What exactly is Bucket List all about?
I play a housewife called Madhura Sane in the film, which boasts of a stellar cast besides me like Sumeet Raghavan, Vandana Gupte, Renuka Shahane and Shubha Khote too. The quirky slice of life film talks about a housewife as an everyday woman doing her chores. The film is about the interesting journey of a housewife, and talks about the time when she feels that she has lost herself though I feel that even men will be able to relate to it when they watch the film.
Can you elaborate?
The film revolves around Madhura Sane, who gets a new lease of life after a heart transplant. She tracks down her donor Sai, and decides to fulfil the wishes on Sai’s list as a sort of return gift. In the process of learning to drive a motorbike and getting a selfie clicked with Ranbir Kapoor, she is actually able to discover herself.
To what extent, did you identify with the role that you have played in the film?
I was also a housewife a few years back after I got married to Dr Nene and chose to settle down in Denver in USA and used to go to the super market to buy the daily provisions for our household.
To what extent, was the script relatable to you as a housewife?
I loved the script because it’s so relatable. Every woman goes through these things. She plays so many roles in her life that she forgets herself. She loses her individuality because of all the responsibilities. In the film, one incident changes everything and she finds herself again. And that changes the perception of the people around her. It’s a self-awakening kind of a movie, but the story is told in a simple manner. Bucket List is a happy film.
You are working with Renuka Shahane after Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. How was the experience of working with Renuka Shahane once again?
The connection with Renuka Shahane was bang on immediately even when it was for the first time when we worked on Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. When Tejas told me that he was considering casting Renuka Shahane for the role in Bucket List but said that there were some hassles, I rang Renu personally and told her that she must do the film, she immediately agreed. Both Renuka and I have an emotional bond in the film.
What was your biggest challenge as far as preparing for your part in Bucket List was concerned?
I had to learn motor bike riding for my part and it was a big challenge indeed for me
Ranbir Kapoor plays a very friendly appearance in the film!
Ranbir is a sweet boy and one of my favorite actors. He was very gracious and charming, agreed to put in a special appearance in Bucket List. We had acted together earlier in just one film-Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani in which I did a dance number.
You are working with the younger lot of actors now — Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt!
It’s wonderful working with the youngsters who have already made a big mark in the film industry today. I did one scene with Alia Bhatt and one with Varun Bhatt in Kalank. It’s great to see their enthusiasm for their work. Alia is a wonderful actress. I really admire her work. It’ll be great working with all of them. In such a very short time, both Varun and Alia have proved their mettle as actors who can be relied upon.
In what way has filmmaking undergone a sea change now, compared to the days of yore?
Filmmaking is different from since when I had made my debut in Abodh way back in 1984. It would have been more difficult if I were to come into films now. These days, you get bound scripts, and everything is much more organized. Everything is worked out – what your hair and make-up are going to like, for instance. Everything is now digital, and there is no camera whirring in your ears all the time when you are saying your lines. And there are other comforts we didn’t have before, like vanity vans. I remember shooting in the sun. We had to work like that. It is much more comfortable now than when I started out. It is very easy to slip into this kind of situation – and much easier to get used to it too.
What have you lined up films-wise in this new phase of yours?
It’s a busy, busy phase and even while I am doing the promotions for Bucket List, I am shooting for Indra Kumar’s Total Dhamaal opposite Anil Kapoor and Karan Johar’s production Kalank, directed by Abhishek Varman. I’m super busy, but also very happy too at the same time.. My bucket list is expanding and as the content of Marathi Cinema is so good that I want to do more films in Marathi now.
