Sri’s return doesn’t pressurise me: Madhuri

Her stint as star-judge Jhalak Dikkhlaa Jaa is over. Till she returns to the show next year for another season, Madhuri Dixit will spend time with her family in the US.

While one-time rival, Sridevi has given the nod to Gauri that marks the directorial debut of R Balki’s wife, Madhuri has turned down an offer to play Rajnikanth’s sister in Rana and also declined actor-producer Anil Kapoor’s Freaky Friday remake in which she was expected to play his daughter Sonam’s mum. Doesn’t Madhuri want to kick-start her career again given that her closest competitor is ready for a second innings? “History comes a full circle. Maybe Sri’s film and a film I sign will release around the same time?” laughs Madhuri. She’s happy her contemporary has decided to return to the movies. “But that doesn’t put pressure on me to sign the first project I’m offered. I’ve never taken a decision based on what someone else is doing,” she says.

The once-reigning box-office queen still remembered for blockbusters like Dil, Beta, Raja and Dil To Pagal Hai among others, recalls that during the 1980s and ’90s, the press had pitted Sridevi who’s a few years her senior, against her. "But despite all the projected rivalry, Sri’s such a gifted actor and dancer that like everyone else, I’m glad to have her back on screen. It’s surprising though that we’ve never worked together, and haven’t even spoken to each other in years. But I wish her well." Prod Madhuri on the films she turned down and she says taking on Rana would have delayed her journey back home since the film will only flag off in April.

“I was really keen on the film but I didn’t want to stay away from Sriram (husband Sriram Nene), Arin and Rayan (her sons) for so long,” she reasons.

“As for Anil’s film, even before I’d seen Freaky Friday on DVD, it was reported that I was doing its Hindi remake. But the subject really doesn’t suit me. And I’m in no hurry to return to the arch lights. I’ll do a film but only if I’m comfortable with the subject and the time frame.”