📌 Key Points
- Madhuri Dixit faced body shaming for being “too skinny” early in her Bollywood career.
- She reflected on societal judgment, linking it to her current role in ‘Maa Behen’.
- Dixit noted that dealing with criticism was easier without the internet’s anonymity.
- Her breakthrough came with ‘Tezaab’ (1988), cementing her star status.
Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit recently opened up about facing body shaming early in her career, being criticized for being “too skinny.” This revelation comes as she earns acclaim for her role in ‘Maa Behen,’ a film that also explores themes of societal judgment.
Early Career Struggles and Body Shaming
Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit is currently receiving widespread praise for her performance in Maa Behen . In the film, her character faces constant scrutiny from society for wearing sleeveless blouses. Reflecting on the theme of judgement and societal expectations, Madhuri recalled how she herself was criticised in the early days of her career for being “too skinny”. In an interview with News18, the actor opened up about the comments she faced and how she dealt with them.
She revealed that, since there was no internet back then, navigating such remarks was comparatively easier. “But I believe that one has to take these things in one’s stride and not pay too much attention to them. Today, because of social media and the anonymity that comes with it, people can say anything. But one should be more focused on what they’re doing and what they’re passionate about and enjoy and love doing. The idea is to love yourself,” she said.
Navigating Criticism: Then vs. Now
Madhuri began her acting career in the early 1980s and made her debut with Abodh (1984). However, success did not come immediately, as several of her initial films failed to make an impact at the box office. During her early years in Bollywood, she also faced criticism for being too thin and not fitting the conventional heroine image of the time.
Her breakthrough came with Tezaab (1988), opposite Anil Kapoor. The film emerged as a massive success, while the song Ek Do Teen turned Madhuri into a household name. Following Tezaab, she cemented her position as one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars with films such as Ram Lakhan, Dil and Saajan.
From ‘Abodh’ to ‘Tezaab’: A Star’s Journey
Released on Netflix, the film has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences and ranked among the platform’s top-performing non-English titles globally.
Madhuri’s candid sharing highlights the persistent issue of body shaming, even for stars. Her journey from facing criticism to becoming an icon, while advocating self-love, offers a powerful message about resilience and embracing one’s true self.
