Madhuri Dixit back in town for Sankranti

Makar Sankranti, for Maharashtrians, is spent at home.And that is what Madhuri Dixit did yesterday in Mumbai. Bollywood’s original Dhak-Dhak girl is in the city with sons Arian and Ryan.
She’s here to shoot a commercial; Makar Sankranti was part of the fringe benefits of this trip. At her Juhu home, Madhuri discovered that her boys were no longer camera-shy. Happily, they posed for pictures. “They were shy earlier because they were too young to understand anything,” she said.

The religious customs over, Mads and kids stuffed themselves with Maharashtrian delicacies prepared for the festival by her mother and mother-in-law (who accompanied them down from the US). Husband Dr Sriram Nene too had come, but yesterday he was back in the US, where it is winter at their home in Denver. “The kids love to play in the snow,” said Madhuri. “It’s lovely there but I think they need to learn about Indian culture and traditions as well. They must know where I come from, they ought to meet the families back here, study Marathi and Hindi, the minds are receptive at this stage — whatever they grasp will be with them for life.”

She talked about the Golden Globes and A R Rahman’s success at the awards. Madhuri had worked with the music composer in Pukar. Of Slumdog Millionaire, the actress said, “It’s a moment of pride for all of us. It’s certainly a big thing, because it’s opening a lot more doors for our films there.” Bollywood, Madhuri added, had stopped taking baby steps, it is right there in the west now — making news.

“Curiosity about India and Bollywood is big time there. People I meet, even my husband’s friends, are curious about our cinema and our culture. It’s beautiful to see this evolution.” What was also thrilling for Madhuri was that there’s a new form of dance called Bollywood dance in the West. “And this is not just among the Indian population,” she exclaimed. Meanwhile, the failure of her comeback film Aaje Nacchle last year has not discouraged the actress from dreaming of a return to Bollywood. “Offers pour in every day, but the one that will sweep me off my feet is yet to come.Till then I am happy looking after my kids and my home. It’s a different high,” she said.