In the 1990s, Bollywood’s two biggest stars, Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, were often compared to each other, sparking rumours of rivalry. However, in a recent interview, Madhuri Dixit spoke candidly about her admiration for the late Sridevi, revealing that despite their parallel success, their professional paths rarely crossed.
Madhuri and Sridevi were both at the height of their careers in the late 80s and 90s, but the two iconic actresses never shared significant screen time together. They were slated to appear together in the 1987 film Zameen, directed by Ramesh Sippy, but the film was never released, and the actresses did not end up working together. In an interview with News18, Madhuri reflected on the nature of their relationship, stating that although they both enjoyed tremendous success, their careers never overlapped significantly.
“Despite being in the same industry at the same time, we didn’t really get to connect much,” Madhuri said. “We both had a lot of respect and admiration for each other. I admired her for her incredible versatility as an actress, working in multiple languages and achieving success in all of them. She was also very sweet to me.”
One notable collaboration between the two was in Pukaar (2000), a film produced by Sridevi and her husband, Boney Kapoor. However, their interaction on set was limited, as Sridevi was primarily focused on the production side of things while Madhuri was immersed in her role. “We didn’t really get to talk much,” Madhuri shared, adding that their paths diverged further after the film’s completion, as she got married and moved to the US.
Madhuri also acknowledged the early start Sridevi had in the industry, having worked since childhood, and expressed deep respect for the dedication and hard work that shaped her legendary career. “She had been in the industry for so long, and her success was a result of her incredible discipline and perseverance,” Madhuri noted.
The two actresses did share a personal moment when Sridevi attended Madhuri’s wedding reception in 1999, a gesture that marked a significant milestone in their relationship.
On the professional front, Madhuri continues to be a prominent figure in Bollywood. She was recently seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside Kartik Aaryan and Vidya Balan. She is also rumoured to be joining Dhamaal 4, though official confirmation of her participation is still awaited.