Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit married cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Shriram Madhav Nene in a traditional Vedic ceremony on October 17, 1999. She later moved to Denver, United States, with her husband and their family.

The couple have two sons. Their first son, Arin Nene, was born in March 2003, when Dixit was 35, and their second son, Ryan Nene, was born on March 8, 2005, when she was 37. The family returned to India in 2006, and in 2011 Dixit and Nene decided to move permanently to India so their children could discover their roots.

Dixit began learning Kathak at the age of three and won school competitions and a national Kathak scholarship. She studied microbiology at Mumbai's Sathaye College, formerly known as Parle College, but left after six months to pursue acting in Bollywood.

She made her film debut in Abodh in 1984, playing Gauri opposite Tapas Paul. Early appearances included Swati, Awara Baap and Mohre. Her breakthrough came with Tezaab, in which she played Mohini opposite Anil Kapoor. Her performance of the song "Ek Do Teen" became a defining moment in her career and earned her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination. Choreographer Saroj Khan was a major creative collaborator on the dance performance.

Dixit followed Tezaab with successful films including Ram Lakhan, Parinda and Dil. Her role opposite Aamir Khan in Dil won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award. She received a second award for Beta in 1992, whose "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" dance number led to her enduring nickname, the "Dhak Dhak Girl."

Her 1990s filmography included Saajan, Khalnayak, Anjaam, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Raja, Yaraana, Mrityudand and Dil To Pagal Hai. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, opposite Salman Khan, became one of the biggest hits in Hindi cinema and brought her a third Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dil To Pagal Hai, in which she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor, earned her fourth award in the category.

Dixit also received recognition for dramatic performances. She played a police officer in Khalnayak, appeared in Pukar and Lajja, and played Chandramukhi in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas. Her performance in Devdas, which co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

After a break from film, Dixit returned with the dance film Aaja Nachle, released in 2007. The film marked her first release in five years, and her performance earned a Filmfare Best Actress nomination. She later appeared in Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang in 2014.

Dixit made her debut in Marathi cinema as both an actor and a producer with Bucket List in 2018. She produced 15th August and lent her voice to the Netflix original Mowgli. Her later Hindi films included Total Dhamaal, which reunited her with Anil Kapoor after 17 years, and Kalank.

Her television work began with hosting the matchmaking show Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai. She later appeared as a judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Dance Deewane. Dixit has also been associated with UNICEF since 2014 and was appointed brand ambassador for the Indian government's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in 2015.

Dixit received the National Citizen's Award in 2001 and a Filmfare Special Award in 2011 for completing 25 years in the film industry. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri for her contribution to the arts.

Her trademark is highly rhythmic classical dance movement, complemented by what has been described as her distinctive smile. She is associated with the nicknames "Bubbly," "Mads," "Mohini" and "Dhak Dhak Girl."