I'm not part of the numbers game: Madhuri Dixit

Nov 28, 2007 IANS

New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Bollywood has never been very kind to comeback heroines. However, actor Madhuri Dixit, who is all set to return to the silver screen with "Aaja Nachle", says she is not bothered about whether she will make it to the top or not.

"I have never been a part of the numbers game. We are not racing horses, who should be numbered. Either the work you do is good or bad," Madhuri told IANS.

"I have come back not because I missed being written about or media arc lights...it's secondary. I missed my craft!" she said Tuesday while in the national capital to promote her new film.

The actress, who last appeared in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus "Devdas", agrees that she was a little unsure about making a comeback.

"When Adi (Aditya Chopra) came up with this film the first thing I asked him was 'Is the audience still interesting in watching me?' But when I came here the way my friends in the industry and fans responded was heart warming.

"The best compliment I have received so far is 'It feels you never went away and now that you've returned don't ever go back'," said Madhuri.

The Dhak Dhak girl, as she has been fondly named, started her stint in Bollywood with "Abodh" and gave hits like "Tezaab", "Dil", "Beta", "Khalnayak", "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun" and "Dil To Pagal Hai", to name some.

Asked how she felt while facing the camera after a gap of five years, Madhuri said: "My heart was racing. I was afraid that I would forget the dialogues. Thankfully nothing of this sort happened and once the camera rolled every hesitations and fear of mine just melted."

The versatile actress is playing the role of a choreographer called Dia in the film and feels there could have been no better launch vehicle than this one.

"This film is really close to my heart as it imparts a very important message apart from being an out an out entertainer.

"I feel we are somewhere moving away from our roots. With the onslaught of so many cultures we are forgetting our own culture. It is our treasure and we must nurture it. This film gives the same message. I couldn't have got a much better role than this one," Madhuri said.

"I hope people will like the film as everybody has poured their hearts into it. It is made with all honesty, with no gimmicks and calculations. Nothing has been overdone because it is Madhuri Dixit's film and no one has tried to act smart," she added.

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Aaja Nachle