Ram gives me surprise Gifts: Madhuri Dixit

Change is the only constant in life, but not many take to change easily. Madhuri Dixit is an exception. Not many years ago, when she was the reigning queen of Bollywood, Madhuri's birthday was celebrated with much pomp and splendour. In stark contrast, on her birthday today, her itinerary only has a visit to the museum nearby with her elder son Arin and his class mates. "A few parents volunteered to go along with the children, and I volunteered too," she says with her famous laugh, talking to After Hrs from the US.

The Slumdog effect..."All the mothers at school started suddenly coming to me asking me if people in India are really like the ones shown in the movie. They think all Indians are living in such sad conditions, but are happy because of our fighting spirit," laughs Madhuri.

Perhaps no one else has settled into anonymous domesticity better than Madhuri. "I am happy," she says, adding, "I hope to come to Mumbai in the first week of June when the kids get holidays, but I'm not sure yet." A true Taurean, Madhuri says "We Taureans are supposed to be this Rock of Gibraltar and I think that fits me perfectly. I don't let anything affect me too much." So, obviously the absence of mad attention was like raindrops which quickly fell off this 'rock'? "Once we Taureans take a decision, we stick by it, no matter what," she emphasises.

Apart from the visit to the museum, she hopes husband Ram Nene is free to go out this weekend. "He gives me surprise gifts generally, but this time I would be surprised if he manages to give me a gift as he is out of town," she says. "But we will probably go out somewhere during the weekend."