FLASHBACK 2007 - Hype over Madhuri Dixit sank 'Aaja Nachle'

MUMBAI (Reuters) - "Aaja Nachle" turned out to be a resounding failure and its director holds the media responsible - for harping on Madhuri Dixit's comeback but ignoring the film's theme.

Even the film's reviews dealt only with the superstar's acting prowess and dancing skills, said Anil Mehta.

"Madhuri was surely the face of the film and with she making a comeback all eyes was bound to be on her," the filmmaker said.

"But I'm disappointed that media completely neglected the point 'Aaja Nachle' had tried to convey."

Mehta feels the film's twin themes of women as breadwinners and the importance of art were overshadowed by the media’s obsession with Dixit's comeback.

But not without reason.

In her prime, Dixit was the undisputed queen of Bollywood and when she decided to return after a six-year break that saw her getting married and having two children, anticipation was bound to be high.

Her much-hyped role saw the 42-year-old actress play a divorced New York-based choreographer who returns to India to save a theatre from demolition.

"The film wanted to show how art is important for reviving our soul that is trapped in consumerist existence where people are only existing and not living their lives," said Mehta.

But the Dixit magic wasn't enough to pull the film through and "Aaja Nachle" sank at the box-office.

"I thought I had made a good enjoyable film but sadly there were not many takers for it."

Prithwish Ganguly, Reuters India

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Madhuri Dixit has had enough!

After her passionate and endearing comeback effort, Aaja Nachle, fell flat at the box office, looking more as an indulgence than a serious comeback effort in tune with box office realities, Madhuri is reported to have called it quits.

"She's upset that her grand comeback did little to revive her stardom and she doesn't want her film to score a duck at the BO," her friend tells TOI.

If true, Madhuri's decision is as regrettable as her decision to go with Aaja Nachle, because her beauty and charm remain largely intact. They just need to be packaged into a product that can sell at the Box Office.

Sawf News

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SC Commission wants to meet Madhuri too

Actress Madhuri Dixit may be forced to regret, for more reasons than one, her decision to make her Bollywood comeback with the film Aaja Nachle.

Besides the fact that the film has bombed at the box office, she is all set to face the music over the use of the word ‘Mochi’ in the title song of the film. The National Commission for Schedule Castes (NCSC) is planning to summon her to ask why she danced to the offensive lyrics.

According to vice chairman of the NCSC, N M Kamble, the Commission will soon summon Madhuri Dixit, Aaja Nachle director Anil Mehta and script writer Jaideep Sahni to appear before it. Dixit, Mehta and producer Yash Chopra were called on Wednesday but could not turn up for different reasons.

While Chopra claimed to be ‘indisposed’, he said that Dixit was not in the country.

Kamble said, “In a fax sent to the Commission, Chopra said he is indisposed. He also said that Dixit was not in the country. Chopra’s representative attended the hearing but our Act does not allow representation.”

Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore, however, felt there was no need for the Commission to summon Dixit. “She had no role to play (in the selection of lyrics). Moreover, she is a US citizen and holds a US passport,” she reasoned.

Kamble said besides issuing summons, the Commission was also entitled to issue warrants in case a person who was summoned did not appear. He said that under Protection of Civil Rights Act, the Commission could even recommend imprisonment of an offender.

Mumbai Mirror

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I don't fear Madhuri's comeback: Aishwarya

New Delhi: Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has shared screen space with Madhuri Dixit, says she does not fear competition from Bollywood's dancing diva who recently staged a comeback with her film 'Aaja Nach Le.'

Rai, who had mesmerised audiences in her duet with Dixit in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas', said she did not fear the return of the dancing queen.

"I don't have any kind of fear from her and want to wish her all success," said the former Miss World here today.

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Madhuri is bridging eras: Anil Mehta

Mumbai, Dec 19 - It wasn't easy to direct Madhuri Dixit in her comeback film, but director Anil Mehta thanks the actress for making it a smooth ride for him.

'She's such an easygoing person. She never let me get stressed about making Madhuri Dixit's comeback film. She was willing to give all of herself,' Mehta told IANS in an interview.

'She's still in equally splendid form. And she's bridging eras. She not only represents the kind of films that were made in the 1980s, but also cinema of today where she has a prominent place. It was such an asset to have her on the sets,' he added.

Mehta placed 'Aaja Nachle' in a small town because big cities don't fascinate him.

'I told Aditya Chopra of an idea about a small town setting. Those big urban fables don't interest me. The film may look lavish because of the dances. But I have kept the treatment very simple.'

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: The small-town ambience in 'Aaja Nachle' is splendid.

A: We created it on a set in Mumbai and if people thought it was a location that's a big compliment. I went on a 20-day recce, checked out towns like Bhopal and Indore. Lots of real construction material was used on the sets. We wove in the chaos and confusion of a small town into our fictional town.

Q: Did Madhuri come into the picture before or after you wrote the script?

A: It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing. The idea was floating in my head. Then Madhuri was cast and the story just flowed from there.

Q: Did Madhuri make it any easier for you?

A: She's such an easygoing person. She never let me get stressed about making Madhuri Dixit's comeback film. She was willing to give all of herself.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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There's no fear of failure in me: Madhuri Dixit

Critics panned her comeback vehicle 'Aaja Nachle' as did audiences, but Madhuri Dixit is unconcerned and says she was never worried about a film's box office performance.

'There's no fear of failure in me. I'm just happy that something different has been attempted in my comeback film. There's no hero in the film, but I won't call myself the film's hero. I'm the female protagonist,' Madhuri told IANS.

With theatre as its backdrop, the film revolves around Madhuri who returns from New York to her hometown to revive the local Ajanta theatre. The actress has some memorable dance sequences in the film despite being out of practice.

'With two small kids it's very difficult to continue dance. And I was pregnant half the time that I've been married. Out of the five years I was away I was pregnant and then looking after my kids. So after 'Devdas' I hadn't danced at all,' she said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: You shouldered the entire film in your comeback vehicle... almost the hero. But heroine-centric films don't work.

A: There's no fear of failure in me. I'm just happy that something different has been attempted in my comeback film. There's no hero in the film. But I won't call myself the film's hero. I'm the female protagonist.

Q: The role in 'Aaja Nachle' was written for you.

A: The thought made my legs shake, and not because I was dancing (laughs).

Q: The Madhuri mania lives.

A: That was because I've worked with terrific directors and choreographers in good subjects. I remember when I met Aditya Chopra for the first time my first question to him was - do people still want to see me? He looked at me very strangely and said, 'Don't worry about that.' But I was really concerned.

Q: Your old films are played all the time on television.

A: That's a blessing. That's why people haven't forgotten me.

Q: And you get a vehicle in your new film where you dance non-stop.

A: It isn't just about dance but the entire theatre culture and dance is an integral part of it.

Q: Did you keep your dancing going in the US?

A: No, where was the time? With two small kids it's very difficult. And I was pregnant half the time that I've been married. Out of the five years I was away I was pregnant and then looking after my kids. So after 'Devdas' I hadn't danced at all.

Q: And yet you slip so easily into the dances of 'Aaja Nachle'!

A: Can't help it. I don't know what it is. It just comes naturally to me. Earlier, I had many of my best dances choreographed by Saroj Khanji. And she was the boss. I just listened to her when she cracked the whip.

In 'Aaja Nachle' I was working with Vaibhavi Merchant who's an ardent fan of mine. And she was quivering on the first day. I had to call Vaibhavi aside and warn her we could do no work if she was going to be so nervous of me. So, earlier Sarojji used to calm me down, this time I was calming my choreographer down. I was very impressed by her. We got along very well.

Q: The whole cast is your fan.

A: The feeling is mutual. All my co-stars - Vinay Pathak, Kunal Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan - are just wonderful actors. I had watched a bit of their work beforehand. The awe just fell off and we were soon laughing and having a ball. As Kunal said, 'Hey she thinks just like I do.'

Q: In your heydays you were not very social? I remember you being very aloof on the sets of 'Devdas'.

A: I was never antisocial. With time you change. I'm more relaxed maybe. As for 'Devdas', there were just the three of us. In fact, I only had Shah Rukh for company. But in 'Aaja Nachle' there were so many actors shooting with me all the time. Such bright, inquisitive and talkative youngsters!

Q: The film is about the erosion of our tradition and culture. As an NRI does that issue bother you?

A: Every time I come to Mumbai I find the city more westernised. There's no harm in that. But why not imbibe the best of foreign influences without losing our culture and tradition? Let's not forget who we are. In the US we see families more Indian than in India. But there's hope yet. 'Aaja Nachle' addresses the question of tradition and modernity, but we aren't preaching over here.

Q: Have you seen the recent films?

A: None at all. I've been too busy promoting my film.

By Subhash K. Jha (Staff Writer, © IANS)

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Best song of AAJA NACHLE finally on air

'Ishq Hua', the best song of Madhuri Dixit's comeback vehicle AAJA NACHLE is finally on air. But is it too late?

All through the promotion of the film, the tracks which were bombarded across music channels were the title song, 'Show Me Your Jalwa' and 'Dance With Me' (which started making an appearance just before the release of the film). Surprisingly, the two tracks 'Ishq Hua' and 'Is Pal', two bona fide melodious tracks that came with Yash Raj Films hallmark were never in the circulation.

Now when the film has lost its box office battle, 'Ishq Hua', which has been picturised on Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Sen, is finally on air. With a young feel to it, this Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal sung track is a mix of poetry and conventional Hindi movie lyrics by Jaideep Sahni (also the writer of the film), all of which makes for a good listening.

Salim-Sulaiman gets the melody working for this soothing track which is quite easy on ears, courtesy some soft arrangements.

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

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AAJA NACHLE holds in the Overseas

Contrary to the initial predictions, Yash Raj's Madhuri Dixit starrer, AAJA NACHLE has managed to hold rather well, especially in the Overseas. While the Anil Mehta directed film has grossed a so-so $425,488 in the US, it has a rather satisfactory $660,238 to show from the UK. Even in Australia, the movie has managed to gross a decent Aus. $ 93,793.

What is interesting to note is that AAJA NACHLE has had an allowable fall of 46 - 56 percent from the first to the second weekend, and this range is considered quite normal in trade parlance.

Well, we have to admit that the 'dhak dhak' girl still has a lot of fire power left in her and that is reason enough for the fans of the dancing queen, Madhuri Dixit, to go 'balle balle'!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

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"Madhuri danced very well it's nice" - Sharmila Tagore

Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore talks to BBC Asian Network about birthdays, and the changing film industry.

Legandary Sharmila Tagore has sprung to the defense of Madhuri Dixit after her comeback film AAJA NACHLE flopped miserably at the box office in India.

Speaking to Raj and Pablo on BBC Asian Networks Love Bollywood programme (Saturdays and Sundays 8am -12 noon) Sharmila said, "The media trashed the film a little bit and cinema tickets are expensive and most middle class families look at reviews and then go to the cinema. The media didn't like the film, it could have been that. I think the film is very good, she's wonderful, she's danced very well it's nice, but the audience fancy a change they are very fickle... the story let her down but she is shouldering the responsibility in the absence of a male star, but she needed a better storyline!

Speaking to Love Bollywood during her birthday celebrations with her family Sharmila Tagore was asked what she wanted for her birthday. She told Raj and Pablo her children were trying to make sure she became trendier and technology savvy. "Well I give a list to my kids, now that they're earning more than I am...!"
I'm absolutely challenged by your modern inventions like digital camera and all types of computers etc. So it's my earnest desire to become technology savvy, so I've got challenging computers and challenging cameras, all kinds of technical stuff from my children because they want me on par with them.

My son is spoiling me with bags he thinks I need to dress a lit bit more trendy, more designer labels. To me it doesn't really make a difference!"

Speaking about her role as the Head of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India and how India's less conservative attitudes were bringing in changes within the film industry she said, "Times are changing; our audience and Indians are exposed to much more. In my time there was no television, we were not traveling abroad as much. These days we are traveling more. Thanks to television we are seeing foreign films, so Indians are exposed to a greater sense of freedom. So we can deal with a little bit of adult stuff. Times are changing in India."

Sharmila was speaking to Love Bollywood on Asian Network the day after her daughter, Soha Ali Khan's film release KHOYA KHOYA CHAND. She said she was pleased her daughter got a chance to play a more mature role. "To get such a meaty role so early in your career, specially nowadays (when) most films are male centric and it's the heroes who get the meaty roles and girls are there just for decoration just to sing songs etc, but this gave her a huge opportunity. I was in fact very happy for her to work with Sudhir Mishra, who's a renowned director."

Bollywood Trade News Network

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Let the divas come back!

Last week Madhuri Dixit got the most glorious comeback since... since Begum Para in Saawariya!!

The senior Begum returned after 50 years. While Madhuri Begum was away for just five years. She was never really missed. She never left us. Devdas and her tantalising turn as Chandramukhi is so fresh in our minds.

I met Madhuri twice when she was shooting for Devdas . Madhuri in a shimmering heavy sari looked ceaselessly serene as all around her people bustled in heaps of hectic hustle trying to deal with the chaos of an epic set.

The one image of Madhuri that I carry with me is of an isolated splendour. There she sat all alone in queenly regalia while Aishwarya Rai would run to the monitor after every shot.

Marriage and specially motherhood have made Madhuri much more milansaar (gregarious). By the time she did Aaja Nachle with half the film industry in its cast, she was laughing joking and whopping it up on the sets making her awestuck co-stars wonder, ‘Is she really Madhuri Dixit???’ Yup, it sure is. Watch that blinding smile and elegant pirouette. No one can do it like the Dixit. Except Sridevi. Let me make a candid confession. I’ve always been more of a Sri-bhakt than a Mads man. At the peak of their respective careers when they were pitched against each other, Sridevi always had an edge. She was what I’d call a complete star-actress who left us with the most stunning hurrah in Judaai . A terrible film that I’ve watched countless times to see her play the money-minded harridan who ‘sells’ her husband to Urmila Matondkar. Who but Sridevi could carry of such an outrageous role with such enthusiastic élan?!

I remember sitting with Yash Chopra in his bungalow after Judaai was released. Sridevi was in hospital having just delivered her first-born. I remember Mr Chopra urging Sri to come put of marital retirement. “I’ll personally design a whole film for you. Just come back.” I overheard him say.

Mr Chopra hasn’t kept his promise. Long ago, he designed the exquisite Raakhee Gulzar’s comeback vehicle Kabhi Kabhie and tempted teased cajoled her out of marriage. The choice that her husband laid down before Raakhee was clear. Marriage or movies. She chose the latter. And never regretted the decision. At least not openly.

Madhuri lives during times when our heroines no longer need to choose between home and career. All through her comeback trail her husdand stood by her side looking a little bemused and distant from the show-sha of Bollywood, but nonetheless encouraging the wifey to go for it.

I am sure Boney Kapoor has no objection to his wife making a comeback. The lady has never looked better. Sridevi’s two daughters can look after themselves quite well. So what’s stopping filmmakers from creating roles for her as they have done for Madhuri?

The biggest mistake Sri made was to do a television sitcom. Many fans lost their starry-eyed wonderment about this gamine-like diva when they saw her hamming it up in their living rooms. Madhuri too made the mistake of appearing on television post-marriage fortunately not in fiction but a match-making show that immediately put matrimonial ads in jeopardy.

It’s strange. But comebacks are largely associated with female actors. Does anyone remember Rajesh Khanna’s ‘comeback’ in Amar Deep ? Has anyone forgotten Dimple’s comeback in Zakhmi Sher ? The film flopped. So did Sagar. But Dimple survived.

Mumtaz did not. Poor thing, David Dhawan did her great disservice casting her as a trendy working woman in ill-fitting pants who shares a bum-chum bonding with her beta Prosanjeet. Nothing was heard in Mumbai’s cinema of either actor thereafter.

Amrita Singh, a volcano of talent, did an Ekta Kapoor serial after her separation from Saif. But not much else. A lot of filmmakers I am told, were wary of signing her for the fear of offending Saif. The same had happened when Dimple returned.

No one wanted to get in the bad books of the mighty Rajesh Khanna.

Subash K Jha, TNN

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Dancing queen

Madhuri ‘dhak Dhak’ Dixit made her comeback last Friday to the world of Bollywood cinema in Aaja Nachle. While most of us were overjoyed — oh, ok, curious — to see her back on the big screen (anything but seeing her on Karan Johar’s telly programme!) — not everyone was pleased with the film. And we’re not talking about the reason being a ‘political controversy’. But then did Madhuri Dixit care? Read on.

Dec 1, Saturday: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Here I was all excited about the premiere yesterday after a tiring and humiliating appearance in every second mall in the country to promote Aaja Nachle, and now this controversy. Aditya Chopra-ji called saying I’ll have to rework that dodgy dialogue and make it, “Mohalle mein kaisi maara-mar hai; bole Deepika bhi khud ko Madhuri hai.” I had told them not to put any dialogue in a dance movie!

Dec 2, Sunday: God! Now not only are Dalits cheesed off that Mayawati wasn’t given my role, but Aishwarya’s complained about a younger heroine not being given the role! Sriram, can’t we go back to Denver?

Dec 3, Monday: You know I’m not 25 any more. Being 30... oh, okay, 31 has its share of problems. Like getting to change the way I pronounce ‘daance’ in my interviews. Everyone seems to think I picked up an accent in America. But I haven’t guys! Wassup with everyone here? Dudes? Caan’t I daance in peace any more?

Dec 4, Tuesday: It was so nice to hear from Husain-saab today. He called up from an undisclosed location in Dubai and told me that he saw Aaja Nachle alone in a theatre. “Alone?” I said fearing the worst — that being the Dubai authorities had also banned the film for something that I expected them to ban it for. But Husain-saab is so sweet. He said that he had booked the whole theatre to himself to see me in the film properly. Apparently, he made a painting in 20 minutes of the cinema, showing me as an usherette. But that was confiscated by th authorities as Dubai does not allow women ushers in cinemas. Husain-saab said he didn’t like the B-movie quality of the film, and said I deserved better treatment. “Like the one I gave you in my Gaja Gamini.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that in that film, he made my butt look too big.

Dec 5, Wednesday: Saroj Khan, my favourite choreographer, came over today for our bhel puri party. We bitched so much about my choreographer in Aaja Nachle, Vaibhavi Merchant that I may have said a word or two about her to Konkona. Thankfully, she seemed to be busy preparing for her next film about casteism in war-torn Sarajevo among displaced refugees from Jharkhand. So I’m safe.

Dec 6, Thursday: Sriram, who were you just talking to on the phone? What do you mean you don’t know! It was Shilpa Shetty again wasn’t it! God, I told you not to talk to her. After the musical, Miss Bollywood, with her in the title role having flopped everywhere, she now wants to do a dance movie with me.

U-huh, no can do. She can call Jennifer Lopez or... Juhi Chawla. Oh stop it, Sriram, I’m not being racist! Her name is Shilpa Poppadom!

Dec 7, Friday: Hello, Mr Chopra. I was wondering whether you would like to do a film with me and Shilpa Shetty in it? Yes, a dance movie, of course.

Hindustan Times

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Madhuri has 'still got it': New York Times

Reviewing Madhuri Dixit's comeback film Aaja Nachle, The New York Times has acknowledged her considerable sex appeal and dancing skills even after five years away from Bollywood, the time she has spent leading a "Clark Ken-type life", raising a family in the American city of Denver in Colorado.

"Ms. Dixit reminds us that whatever 'it' is, she's still got it. Now stories will have to be found that can show it off," the Times said in its review Saturday.

The Times' reviewer writes that Anil Mehta, the director of "Aaja Nachle", produced by Yashraj Films, doesn't quite know what to do with Dixit, who plays Dia, a choreographer living in New York, who returns to her hometown in India and tries to save a theatre that developers want to replace with a mall by putting on a show.

The reviewer says that for Aaja... to be a true comeback vehicle for the 40-year-old Dixit, Hindi cinema will have to figure out what kind of heroine a middle-aged woman can be.

The reviewer disapproves the film's story denying Dia, who is divorced with a daughter, a love life, adding: "All her passion goes into the show she's staging and into playing cheerleader to a budding romance between its leads (played by Konkona Sen and Kunal Kapoor)."

New York Times

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Madhuri's immediate Bollywood plans doubtful

Though there have been many articles (in the print media), that have talked about the dancing queen, Madhuri Dixit's so called forthcoming projects (after her latest, AAJA NACHLE), but we can only term them as speculative assumptions. The truth is that, irrespective of the outcome of AAJA NACHLE, the 'dhak-dhak' girl's plans to return to Bollywood are nebulous.

In fact, the last 'superstarni' of Bollywood insists that she is not even sure if she will be back to work in another project, as there are no films in the pipeline. She sets the record straight by saying that she has not come across a script worth her consideration.

While this news may make the fans of the charming actress sad, but this is the truth that they have to contend with, at least for a while.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

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Aaja Nachle: Come, Let's Dance

Director: Anil Mehta

Stars: Madhuri Dixit, Kunal Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna

Madhuri Dixit, Bollywood’s diva of the Nineties, is back! Will the dancing queen be able to recreate the box-office magic?

When Dia (Madhuri Dixit), a New York dance tutor, receives a call from India telling her that her guru is dying, she decides to return to the country. It is a troubled homecoming as she eloped in order to marry Steve (Felix D’Alviella, from BBC’s Spooks), a white American.

Dia arrives too late: her former teacher is dead and dance academy Ajanta is on the verge of closure. She decides to save the academy by putting on a grand musical using local talent. This is a cumbersome task: Dia’s divorced status and disgraced reputation means that the villagers are wary of her. Will her dance production of Laila Majnu prove a hit?

Predictable from the outset with its familiar underdog theme, the film is primarily a comeback vehicle to showcase the talent and beauty of Dixit, arguably Bollywood’s biggest and most adored female star. Dixit rises to the challenge, dominating proceedings with a commanding performance and a dignity unsuited to the shallow script, in which few characters develop.

Since it is obvious that Dia’s show will be a success and everyone, including opportunist property developer Uday (Akshaye Khanna), will learn the error of their ways, it is difficult to engage.

First time director Anil Mehta rips off Brazilian cult film Xuxu Requebra and attempts to use the power of dance as a metaphor for learning to live life again. He fails. The music just doesn’t have enough soul.

It’s good to see an older, married actress in a lead role in sexist Bollywood, where women of a certain age are generally expected to retire or dye their hair grey to play mummy to their former leading men.

For a film which invites us to ‘come, let’s dance’, there is not a single number which encourages us to. Bring back the cheekiness of the choli!

Rate: 2/5

Anil Sinanan, Times Bollywood Film Critic

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Aaja Nachle: Madhuri rules

MADHURI DIXIT rocks! That, pretty much, is the succinct review of the film, but a review cannot be that short, and if you want to know more, read on.

The dance is amazing, choreography, scintillating and fabulous. If you think I am being generous with superlatives that is because they are well deserved. I was skeptical about Vaibhavi Merchant after Saroj Khan-Madhuri combo, but wow! She has made Madhuri do steps that we had never seen from her. As anticipated, Madhuri more than does justice to the rather difficult choreography.

The Laila Majnu production at the end deserves a very special mention, because, this sequence, for perhaps the first time, brings alive the magic of theatre on a film screen. The use of lighting, sequences and costumes made one forget for a while that this is not 3D theatre. For that production alone, the film is worth watching.

Madhuri has never looked better in silhouette, never done more Ada, except perhaps in that song from ‘Anjaam’ - athra baras ki kunwaari kali thi.. (See, I am a die hard Madhuri fan) and when she presents that opening shot in New York, the message is clear - I RULE!

I read someplace that the role was not conceived with Madhuri in mind. That is surprising, because only Madhuri could have brought life to this character. Only Madhuri can make Ajanta theatre look like a convincing cause.

So, where does the movie fail? It fails in more places than one.

For starters, the storyline has more holes than a cube of cheese, so I will not even go in that direction, but a couple glaring ones refuse to stay unstated. First, what happens to Ajanta theatre after Madhuri Dixit’s return to the United States? There is, as a corporate character would say, no succession plan in place. By that flaw alone, the entire concept of restarting theatre goes to the dogs.

The second, I am not sure what the message regarding love is. In the first part, Madhuri runs away and finds that it was a wrong decision. Worse still, her act leads to the demise of Ajanta theatre. In the second half, we again find a couple falling in love during the production. Needless to mention, we do not know if love alliances are accepted now in Shamli, or will this love story lead to a second demise of the theatre?

The costumes are good, well thought out and not too in your face. Madhuri could have experimented with her look, but she stuck to the pants, tight top routine throughout. Sad for her fans!

The cinematography could have done a little better. With those moves, a little use of light, creative angles and long shot-close shot balance might have produced a different result, but I was not on the sets, so take this with a pinch of salt. Perhaps, the cinematographer did bring out the best of what was on the set.

The music is less than memorable, except perhaps the title track, and the Khoobiyaan song. I loved that song! The lyrics are completely forgotten at the end of the film.

Nidhi Kaila, Meri News

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Madhuri's director blames critics over "Aaja Nachle"

MUMBAI: The director of "Aaja Nachle", Madhuri Dixit's comeback film, has blamed critics for hurting the film at the box office through their negative reviews.

The much-hyped film narrates the story of a divorced New York-based choreographer who returns to India to save a theatre, where she learnt her first moves, from demolition.

It marks the return of Dixit, Bollywood's dancing queen, after a six-year hiatus and was eagerly awaited by her fans as well as the industry.

But critics panned "Aaja Nachle", which opened last week, blaming its loose plot for the film's failure to connect with the audiences.

"Many of us read what the critics have to say before going to the theatres and with such negative reviews coming out, it has automatically hurt the film badly," director Anil Mehta said.

"Reviews like this create a very bad word-of-mouth and that is what has happened," he said.

Despite the film's average first weekend opening at the box office, Mehta said he was hopeful that ticket sales would pick up during the week.

"I'm hoping that people will go to the theatres and see the film for themselves," he said. "I believe that no matter what the critics write, people will surely go and watch Madhuri's comeback film at least once."

Reuters India

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Secret of Madhuri health

Guess what's the secret of Madhuri Dixit's fitness? No, it's not some secret American diet that she's following, but the rigorous fitness regime that's she's following. "I'm not into dieting and other stuff. I just workout for about an hour or for about 40 minutes everyday, 5 days a week, no matter where I'm."

Madhuri says "Even if I don't get time I make it point to run in the treadmill for at least 20 minutes. I take two days off to chill out with my husband and children and then back to my workouts."

And guess how she chill-out in US over the weekend? "We usually go the mountains and hang around, it's so peaceful," she says. Will she be doing more films? "I will be doing, but it all depends on the scripts, right now I'm in the middle of signing some more films. I'm over whelmed by the response of my fans," she states.

Gautam Buragohain, Indiatimes Movies

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Madhuri meets Deewana No 1!

Guess who’s Madhuri Dixit’s No 1 fan? No, it’s not M F Husain.

The answer is Ranbir Kapoor, the dashing young actor of Saawariya and the newest kid on Bollywood’s block.

As a boy, Ranbir idolised Madhuri from afar when he frequently joined his father on the sets of David Dhawan’s Yaraana . “My dad was her leading man in that film,” recalls Ranbir shyly. “But I fell in love with her when I was six and I watched her do the Ek Do Teen number in Tezaab . I’ve grown up watching her films. And every time I see her on screen, my heart starts beating dangerously fast!”

When he heard she was in Mumbai for her comeback film, Ranbir’s first impulse was to rush and meet Madhuri. But he resisted the urge. “Meeting an idol is a very tricky thing. You never know which way the meeting will go. My guru Sanjay Leela Bhansali once told me he had desisted from meeting his idol, Lata Mangeshkar, because of this fear.”

But this week, there was no escaping Madhuri for Ranbir. “I was at the same studio on Thursday afternoon where Madhuriji was giving interviews. I could see and hear her from where I was shooting. This was God’s way of telling me, this was it. No more running away.”

So Ranbir nervously went up to his idol. “I was totally tongue-tied but she said the sweetest things to me. I just kept staring at her like an idiot,” says Ranbir.

As a memento of that meeting (and proof to show his friends!), Ranbir asked his Madhuriji to sign a CD of her film for him. “She obliged,” he says happily. “And that CD is now my proudest possession along with a letter from Mr Amitabh Bachchan appreciating my performance in Saawariya ,” says Ranbir sounding like father Rishi did when he was 12 and fell in love with Simi Garewal in Mera Naam Joker !

Subash K Jha, TNN

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Uttar Pradesh lifts ban on Aaja Nachle

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday lifted the ban on the screening of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit's comeback film Aaja Nachle .

The move came after the promise of Yash Raj Productions that the controversial lines would be removed from the title song of the movie.

"Once it is verified that the objectionable lines in a particular song in the film have been removed, the ban would be lifted," Principal Secretary to UP Chief Minister Mayawati, Shailesh Krishna said earlier in the day.

The Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh had on Friday night banned the movie in the state and also written to the Prime Minister demanding a complete ban on the film throughout the country alleging its title song has humiliated Dalits.

Krishna said that although the film producers have stated that controversial lines will be removed from the song, it would be verified whether it has been executed or not before going ahead with lifting the ban imposed by the government.

He said that directives to this effect were being issued to respective district magistrates to check that the lines have been removed in the reels available with the cinema halls and accordingly allow its screening in their areas.

Times Of India

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No reason for Aaja Nachle to be banned: Sharmila Tagore

NEW DELHI: As the Madhuri Dixit starrer Aaja Nachle ran into trouble over some questionable lyrics, Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore on Saturday said she was ready to apologise if the sentiments of any community were hurt but stressed there was no reason for the film to be banned.

"The music of the film has been in the market for a long time now, but nobody had registered any complaints. The line has been taken out of context. My committee which had reviewed the film had seen it as a profession-based remark and not a caste-based slight or insult," Tagore said.

She said the lyrics to which objections have been raised were meant in a light-hearted manner. It was felt they could not offend anyone.

"Nevertheless, if somebody has been offended and if any particular community has been hurt then we are prepared to apologise," she said.

Tagore admitted that the line in question, which has been criticised as being insulting to Dalits, was "slightly overlooked" and some "miscalculation" was made.

She expressed hope that the controversy would not blow up into a stir.

Tagore welcomed the decision by the filmmakers to voluntarily withdraw the line.

"The state government can ban a film if it creates a law and order problem. But I don't see any reason for any government to ban the film because the questionable line has been removed and I saw the movie myself in a theatre in Mumbai and there was no problem and there were no spontaneous protests anywhere in the country," she said.

Times Of India

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Madhuri Will Do More Films

How does Madhuri plan to balance her domestic duties in Denver with her movie maneuverings in Mumbai? "I haven't signed anything new. I have not planned any new project as yet…And it isn't because I want to see how my so-called comeback is accepted. The box-office outcome of Aaja Nachle has nothing to do with my future in films. I'll sign another film if I like it."

She ponders for a while. "We'll see how it goes. Maybe I could again shoot in India during the kids' vacations. Or then the film could be shot in the US." Madhuri's sons Arin and Ryan have seen mom's films in passing. "And they've seen Devdas fully. They found me strange in that film because I was bedecked and bejeweled from head to toe. What I've worn in Aaja Nachle is how they see me dressed at home…Hum Aapke Hain Koun was another film that was pretty close to me in dress and thought," she adds after a moment's thought.

She cuts down all speculation regarding her unwillingness to be in India to promote the film. "What rubbish! Yash Raj Films and I had decided that I should be here fifteen days before the film's release, and here I am. I think two weeks is a decent period to acquaint people with a film. And the TV promotions had paved the way for my arrival." Madhuri admits she had never gone all-out for any of her earlier films. "Times have changed. Now you need to tell people to come and see your film. It is like inviting guests for a daughter's wedding. And you know what? I'm enjoying it.

Subash K Jha, IndiaFM

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Aaja Nachle all set to roll again in UP

Aaja Nachle, Madhuri’s much hyped comeback film had gotten itself embroiled into a ‘lyrical controversy’ just hours after its release in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state residents were outraged stating that the filmmakers should either take the objectionable lyrics off the film, or else they will take the film off the theatres. The lines, which they found objectionable featuring in the title track of the film goes as ‘Bazaar Mein Machi Hai Maar hai, Bole Mochi Bhi Khud Ko Sunar hai’. These reportedly had offended some of the Dalit organizations. Mayawati, the Chief Minister of UP had even shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in this regard. The impact of the ban was so much that Punjab had decided to ban the movie today.

In order to avoid any further bans and troubles, Yash Raj Films acted on it immediately and deleted the two objectionable songs. The film’s director Anil Mehta said that they had made the film in good faith and something, which would not hurt any section of the society. He also apologized saying that if the film has hurt the sentiments of anyone, they are ready to delete the said lines.

Mr. Yash Chopra Chairman Yash Raj Films said "It was not our intention to hurt the feelings of any individual or community of our great nation. If we have inadvertently hurt the sentiments of anybody I apologise for the same and have taken immediate remedial action by deleting the line from the prints of Aaja Nachle from all over the country. This line has been deleted in all the theatres today. Yash Raj Films makes family oriented films and propagates Indian culture through them and would never do anything that is detrimental to the sentiments of our people."

As they say, all’s well that ends well, so what if the end contains two lines lesser than the original!

IndiaFM

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