Meenakshi Seshadri on reacts to Madhuri Dixit rivalry
Meenakshi Seshadri on reacts to Madhuri Dixit rivalry
It’s a well-known fact that Meenakshi Seshadri and Madhuri Dixit were in 80s and 90s dazzling stars and often pitted against each other by the media and audiences. Even as rumours of rivalry have long circulated, Meenakshi has persistently shunned them, showcasing their individuality and mutual respect.
They featured together in Swati released in 1986 with Meenakshi as the lead and Madhuri as her stepsister, highlighting their acting and dancing talents. While Meenakshi was lauded for her classical dance expertise, Madhuri often drew attention for her captivating presence.
The actresses reportedly had a fallout amidst the casting of Tinu Anand’s film Shanakht. Initially, Dimple Kapadia was offered the lead role, with Meenakshi as the second lead. However, after Kapadia refused over fee issues, Madhuri was cast in the lead, relegating Meenakshi to the second lead. Unhappy with this arrangement, Meenakshi refused to work with Madhuri, leading to a strained bond between the two. The film was finally shelved, and the actresses never shared screen space together.
Damini released in 1993 was a landmark film and one of Meenakshi Seshadri’s career highlights. Rajkumar Santoshi, director, reportedly fell in love with her and even proposed marriage, but she declined. Their bond soured afterward, with rumors suggesting Santoshi considered replacing Meenakshi mid-way and approached Madhuri Dixit for the role.
Meenakshi later revealed that Madhuri had declined the role in solidarity with her. Damini went on to become one of Meenakshi’s most iconic performances, earning her a nomination for Best Actress.
In a 2024 in an interview, Meenakshi emphasized that she and Madhuri are unique, stating that neither can be the other. She turned down any notion of rivalry, underlining that comparisons amid them are unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Meenakshi quit Bollywood and relocated to the US after tying the knot to investment banker while she was at the peak of her career. Madhuri, on the other hand, continued as the lead actress.
News Edit KV Raman
