Women no longer playing victim in Bollywood: Madhuri Dixit

Dancing diva and actress Madhuri Dixit, who was last seen in women-centric film "Gulaab Gang" which was inspired by women activists in Bundelkhand and talks about women's empowerment, says women are no longer playing victim or avenger in Bollywood.

With debut film "Abodh" and others like "Dedh Ishqiya", "Lajja", "Devdas" and "Mrityudand" to her credit, Madhuri said "it is very interesting the way and the kind of roles that being written for women now".

"It is very interesting the way kinds of roles are being written for women now. They are no longer just victims or avengers, they are like different characters with different roles in society, which is so wonderful. They are not just eye candy, women are not perceived in a particular way anymore," Madhuri told IANS in a group interview here on Wednesday.

When she started her journey in the film industry, there were hardly any women on the sets, but that is no longer the case, the "Aaja Nachle" actress said, adding that it was a good change indeed.

"When I started, the only woman you saw on the set was the heroine... and the hair dresser and maybe a costume designer... today when I walk in, the sets are bustling with women! They are assistant directors, cameramen, script writers, directors... so many roles they are playing," she said.

Asked if she was specifically looking at women-centric films considering her past projects, she said: "No, I am not specifically looking at portraying such roles or working on women centric scripts.

"It just happened that I signed such projects. It just fit very well," she said at the launch of dance reality TV show "So You Think You Can Dance-Ab India Ki Baari".

Madhuri will be coming as a judge on the show to be aired on &TV.

"Today, work is much more organised, earlier it was haphazard... now more streamlined and disciplined," she added.