She is inarguably one of the finest dancers Bollywood has ever seen. So, the anticipation surrounding Madhuri Dixit’s special number with Ranbir Kapoor — titled ‘Ghaagra’ — in Ayan Mukerji’s next, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, is hardly surprising. And Ranbir himself seems more excited than anyone else.
The Kapoor scion is even happy to let Madhuri — who celebrates her 46th birthday today — be the centre of attraction.
"While shooting, I wasn’t trying to compete with her. I was more than happy with Madhuriji take centre stage. When she is in a song, who is going to take a look at me anyway? She has added a lot to the buzz of the film. I’m sure people will be curious to see her on the big screen," says Ranbir, who admits that he has "always been a great admirer" of hers.
"We are really thrilled that she has done the song. It was fun doing it. Actually, it was Karan’s (Johar; producer) idea. He suggested it to Ayan because we always had the scope for such a song (his character, Bunny, is introduced here)."
Ranbir on meeting Madhuri as a kid Ranbir recalls meeting Madhuri as a kid on the sets of father Rishi Kapoor’s film with the actress. "During the shooting of Yaarana (1995) in Switzerland, we were all living in the same chalet. Our room was right opposite Madhuriji’s, so I quite thrilled about it. When they used to come back after shooting, we would sit and have food together. I think, over the years, she has remained the same. There is no difference in her attitude towards work or life," he says.
Ranbir says, "Doing a song with her (Madhuri) means I can strike one item off my wish list." He adds that he "was just one of the millions" whose heart broke when she got married. "I think millions of hearts broke with the news of her wedding. Thanks to her screen presence, sheer magnetism and enigma, more than half of the country was in love with her, including me," he says.
Also, Ranbir — while shooting with her for the song — discovered the motherly side to Madhuri. "One day, she got her two kids (Arin and Raayan) on the sets. And to see the kind of mother Madhuriji is and the way she is bringing them up was another amazing side of her to see. It was a heart-warming sight to see a woman who has achieved so much playing a real-life mother so perfectly," he says.
Also, Ranbir — while shooting with her for the song — discovered the motherly side to Madhuri. "One day, she got her two kids (Arin and Raayan) on the sets. And to see the kind of mother Madhuriji is and the way she is bringing them up was another amazing side of her to see. It was a heart-warming sight to see a woman who has achieved so much playing a real-life mother so perfectly," he says.
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