Director N. Chandra Reveals How He Discovered Madhuri Dixit for 'Tezaab'

Director N. Chandra reveals how he discovered Madhuri Dixit for 'Tezaab'

Mumbai, June 10

Director N. Chandra who directed the iconic movie, has now revealed how the superstar landed up as Mohini and was finalised for the movie that changed her life professionally.

In the upcoming episode of dance reality show India's Best Dancer Season 5, veteran actor and filmmaker Chandrashekhar Narvekar, popularly known as N. Chandra, shared the fascinating story of how he first spotted Madhuri Dixit and later cast her in the iconic film 'Tezaab'.

During an engaging conversation on the show, the director recalled the moment he first met the actress and the impression she left on him. Sharing the story, he said, "Actually mai jaisa director hu, vaisa editor bhi hu. Bahot saari filmo ki maine editing ki hai. Ek film ban rahi thi Bajrangi naam ki. Madhuri ji ko shayad yaad nahi hoga." (Actually, I am an editor as much as I am a director. I have edited a lot of films. A film called Bajrangi was being made. Madhuri ji may not remember it)

Madhuri immediately responded, "Mujhe yaad hai, Anil ji, Babu Garu was the director." (I remember. Anil ji, Babu Garu was the director)

He further added, "Correct, uska editing mai karne wala tha. Mujhe bataya tha ye pehla set hai, aap aa jao. Toh mai gaya tha vaha pe. Tab maine pehli baar Madhuri ko dekha tha. Kisi ne introduce kiya tha toh, lekin mai kuch toh dekha uss waqt, toh jab Tezaab ki baat hui toh meri first and last choice Madhuri ji hi thi, aur koi nahi tha." (Correct. I was supposed to edit that film. I was told that this was the first set, so I should come over. So I went there. That was when I saw Madhuri for the first time. Someone introduced her to me, and at that moment I saw something special in her. So when Tezaab came up, Madhuri ji was my first and last choice. There was no one else.)

He further revealed how destiny played its part in bringing the project together, "Agar luck chalta hai na, toh har cheez chalti hai. Toh luckily kya hua ki hero Anil Kapoor aur unke secretary Rakesh Nath, jo Madhuri ji ke bhi secretary the. Toh match karne mein bada easy ho gaya mera us waqt." (When luck is on your side, everything falls into place. Fortunately, what happened was that the hero was Anil Kapoor, and his secretary, Rakesh Nath, was also Madhuri ji's secretary. So it became very easy for me to make the match happen at that time)

Talking about the iconic movie, 'Tezaab', it released on 11 November 1988, and remains one of the most iconic films in Madhuri Dixit's career. Directed and produced by N. Chandra, the romantic action drama starred Madhuri Dixit opposite Anil Kapoor, alongside Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Kiran Kumar and Suresh Oberoi.

The film became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1988 and enjoyed a golden jubilee run in theatres.

For the uninitiated, 'Tezaab' is best remembered for its chartbuster soundtrack by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with songs such as 'Ek Do Teen', 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan', 'Keh Do Ke Tum' becoming hugely popular.

The iconic song 'Ek Do Teen' was choreographed by legendary choreographer Saroj Khan and helped her establish herself as a leading dancer name in Bollywood.

The sizzling chemistry between Madhuri and Anil Kapoor struck a chord with audiences.

— IANS