Decoding the Acting Prowess of Madhuri Dixit

On d onset let me state that I find Madhuri Dixit the best actor in Bollywood across all genders and all generations. Her acting prowess has always been overlooked coz of her dazzling beauty, smile and unmatched dancing abilities. But IMO that is not the only reasons why her acting has been overlooked. More than that, it has been overlooked coz she is such an effortless, natural and restrained actor, that her brilliance as an actor goes unnoticed.

Most actors give powerful performances in author backed roles where their characters have been very well etched or under the guidance of brilliant directors. But in Madhuri's case it is she who has made the most tepid of roles noticeable by her sheer performance.

She is one of the actors who have the best voice modulation. Just hearing her dialogue delivery one can make out the emotion she has conveyed.

Also she is equally at ease with emoting different feelings, whether comedy or tragedy. And in doing both these, I don't recall any actor other than her who does not go OTT. Also most actors have a particular style or mannerism which becomes their trademark, but Madhuri's acting is totally malleable to the character she is portraying and hence no distinct mannerism can be attributed to her.

Thanks for the post.

Originally posted by: poetic

Thanks for the post.

As I mentioned earlier, I think its unfortunate that Madhuri belongs to a decade when not much thought was given to roles of heroines. Not that much has changed now. But at least, nowadays, there are some scripts being written with the heroines in mind.

However, the success of a script also lies in its proper vision and execution.

Sadly, for heroines, when they mature and start getting better and better at what they do - it's time for them to say goodbye. Unfortunately so.

Madhuri is no exception to this rule. I remember watching Tezaab and thinking that there is so much power within her, which gets expressed sublimely when she gets a chance. She has an extremely expressive face. Same with Lajja - and I was happy that that movie had so many good actresses involved, except the screeching Mahima, who needed to tone down badly.

Her nuances stay with you even after the movie is over, not that all of them were great ones - which is again true for most actors throughout.

In Prem Granth, she was the only good thing and her acting was simply awesome, not going OTT any time. But the movie was not good.

There are so many such examples - I remember an interview of Mahesh Bhat highlighting the same point. He mentioned that he could vsiualise Madhuri as Adi Shakti because of the power she brings within her and portrays effectively.

And of course she dances like a dream - actually, her love for dancing shows on her face. She enjoys dancing.

I know this is a subjective and relative discussion, but she is more than her latkas and jhatkas.

Originally posted by: LadyDabangg

madhuri is excellent dancer and a good actress

i loved her in anjaam,devdas and HAHK

but what is turn off is that they treat her like a goddess🥱

take JDJ for example: they so over-hype her

as far as queen of BW:its madubala for me

Originally posted by: poetic

Thanks for the post.

As I mentioned earlier, I think its unfortunate that Madhuri belongs to a decade when not much thought was given to roles of heroines. Not that much has changed now. But at least, nowadays, there are some scripts being written with the heroines in mind.

However, the success of a script also lies in its proper vision and execution.

Sadly, for heroines, when they mature and start getting better and better at what they do - it's time for them to say goodbye. Unfortunately so.

Madhuri is no exception to this rule. I remember watching Tezaab and thinking that there is so much power within her, which gets expressed sublimely when she gets a chance. She has an extremely expressive face. Same with Lajja - and I was happy that that movie had so many good actresses involved, except the screeching Mahima, who needed to tone down badly.

Her nuances stay with you even after the movie is over, not that all of them were great ones - which is again true for most actors throughout.

In Prem Granth, she was the only good thing and her acting was simply awesome, not going OTT any time. But the movie was not good.

There are so many such examples - I remember an interview of Mahesh Bhat highlighting the same point. He mentioned that he could vsiualise Madhuri as Adi Shakti because of the power she brings within her and portrays effectively.

And of course she dances like a dream - actually, her love for dancing shows on her face. She enjoys dancing.

I know this is a subjective and relative discussion, but she is more than her latkas and jhatkas.

In fact many a times I have been thinking of making this post n wanted to write more elaborately, but m too lazy to do so. On dis forum many ppl acknowledge that she is a star nd dat she is the best dancer in Bollywood, but tend to say that she is an average actor. I usually respect alternative POVs, but in Madhuri's case I feel compelled to point out tht she isn't an average actress, but a brilliant one, but coz of her subtle performances her acting is underrated.

Originally posted by: poetic

Agree, they need to turn off or tone down drastically the saccharine sweet attitude ...

I understand some will be overwhelmed - but then again they should control the portrayal

Yes I know most ppl on IF r turned off by the adulation Madhuri ends up getting on JDJ. But my point is dat in dis industry filled with nepotism nd sycophancy, Madhuri is still a relative outsider, yet she commands such adulation. Also d adulation she gets it's not by common men, but by the stars of the industry itself, who usually tend to be narcissistic. So it's gotta do with Madhuri herself tht she is so well-loved and respected by the film fraternity.

Originally posted by: khamosshhh

Yes I know most ppl on IF r turned off by the adulation Madhuri ends up getting on JDJ. But my point is dat in dis industry filled with nepotism nd sycophancy, Madhuri is still a relative outsider, yet she commands such adulation. Also d adulation she gets it's not by common men, but by the stars of the industry itself, who usually tend to be narcissistic. So it's gotta do with Madhuri herself tht she is so well-loved and respected by the film fraternity.

Beautifully written..Agree with each and everything you mentioned..