Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit has opened up about the harsh scrutiny she faced early in her career, revealing how critics and industry insiders repeatedly commented on her looks and advised her on how a “heroine” should appear.

In a candid conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit for his YouTube channel, Dixit recalled facing criticism in the mid-1980s, long before her breakthrough. She revealed that people often suggested she alter her facial features, leaving her unsettled as a newcomer.

“I used to go and say, ‘Mom, they’re saying this,’” Madhuri shared. “A lot of people told me when I had just started, do this, how is your nose, your this, your that. And my mom would say, ‘Don’t worry about it. Once you have a successful movie, that’s the very thing they’ll love about you.’”

Her mother’s reassurance proved prophetic. After the release of Tezaab, Madhuri became an overnight sensation, and the criticism regarding her appearance gradually faded. Reflecting on that shift, she said, “After Tezaab, nobody said anything about being skinny or being this or that. People just accepted me for who I am.”

Drawing lessons from her journey, Madhuri now encourages younger actors to embrace their individuality. “Even today, I tell the new girls: Don’t try to be in a mould. Don’t say this is how a heroine should look. If you’re different, that’s a uniqueness you have. Play on that.”

On the professional front, Madhuri recently starred in the web series Mrs Deshpande, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, taking on the challenging role of a serial killer. The series, streaming on JioHotstar, marks another example of her continued evolution and willingness to explore complex, unconventional characters decades into her career.