Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit recently opened up about her early days in the film industry, reflecting on a time when luxury and convenience on sets were virtually non-existent.
Struggles on Set
Recalling her experiences shooting in locations like Ooty, Madhuri reminisced about how actors and crew often had to cope without vanity vans, proper amenities, or comforts. Hairdressers and assistants would brave the outdoors just to keep everyone ready.
While she cherishes the passion that defined those days, Madhuri admits she prefers not to dwell on those memories. Nevertheless, she emphasized that the sacrifices made in those times were driven purely by a deep love for the craft.
Madhuri stated, “When we were shooting in Ooty, we used to find some jungle to go to. And then our hairdressers and all used to stand with all shawls. I don’t want to remember those days. They were quite… But through it all, I think we enjoyed ourselves. I mean, we loved what we did. And we all came together because of that love. And we were ready to make those sacrifices. At that time, we didn’t even know it was sacrifices. It was way of life at that time.”
Filmmaking Evolution
The ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ actress also discussed how filmmaking has evolved over the years, reflecting on her journey from her debut film “Abodh” to her latest release, “Mrs Deshpande.”
When asked about being directed in the 1980s and 1990s, Dixit noted the dramatic changes in the filmmaking landscape.
“I think at that time there were only five or six very organized producers, like Yash Chopra, B R Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Rajshri Productions, and a few more, and the rest was pretty unorganized. Today, it is very organized. Back then, we relied more on spontaneity; today, we can prepare for a role. You get a script, along with amenities such as the RVs, where you can chill after every shot or get ready. At that time, we did not have all this; we used to sit under the sun, with an umbrella over our heads,” explained Madhuri.