Madhuri Dixit reflects on her poetic journey with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in ‘Devdas’: 'Chandramukhi was ....'

Madhuri Dixit recently revisited her experience of working with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the 2002 classic ‘Devdas’. Known for its opulent sets and emotional intensity, the film continues to be regarded as a landmark in Hindi cinema.

For Dixit, the collaboration was not just about performance but about being part of a larger artistic vision.

She described Bhansali’s approach to cinema as deeply lyrical. According to her, every element of the film carried a sense of rhythm and beauty.

Madhuri Dixit on filmmaking as a form of poetry

Talking to Moneycontrol, Madhuri shared that Bhansali treats cinema like poetry, extending beyond what appears on screen. From staging scenes to guiding performances, his process itself was filled with elegance.

She admired how he infused meaning into even the smallest moments during the shoot. This sensitivity, she believes, is what elevated ‘Devdas’ into an unforgettable cinematic experience. The director’s passion for detail left a lasting impression on her.

Madhuri Dixit Nene on bringing Chandramukhi to life

Talking about her portrayal of Chandramukhi, Madhuri highlighted the emotional depth of the character. She said, “I thoroughly enjoyed working with Bhansali Ji.

Chandramukhi was such an extremely important character in the film. Not just the dance moves but every scene in the film feels like poetry.” For her, Chandramukhi was more than a courtesan; she was a woman driven by intense love and quiet dignity. The role allowed Madhuri to explore both vulnerability and strength.

A character inspired by Meera Bai

Madhuri Dixit further explained that Chandramukhi’s emotional journey reminded her of Meera Bai. Drawing parallels, she said, “She has an innate innocence.

She was like Meera basically, because she loves someone that she knows cannot love her back.” Capturing that one-sided devotion required attention to subtle expressions and body language. She added that she and Bhansali focused deeply on those nuances. Reflecting on the process, Madhuri shared that they “had a great time working together.

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The physical challenge behind ‘Kahe Chhed Mohe’

Recalling the iconic song ‘Kahe Chhed Mohe’, Madhuri spoke about the physical demands of the sequence.

The heavily embellished ghaghra she wore made movement extremely difficult. She revealed, “It was made of real velvet with real embroidery work on it. The use of real beads made it even heavier.” At one point, the costume reportedly weighed close to 30 kilograms. The weight was so intense that even after she stopped spinning, the skirt continued to swirl.Despite the exhaustion, Madhuri believes the result justified the struggle.

She said, “When you see it on the screen, his eye to detail, the way he shoots every scene, you feel it was all worth it.” Working under Bhansali’s demanding standards turned into a rewarding experience. She also addressed his reputation as a strict director, saying, “People call him a taskmaster but when we were working together, he was very sweet on the set.

He would just say one thing: just give me some magic.”

A collaboration still celebrated

More than twenty years after the release of ‘Devdas’, Madhuri Dixit’s memories underline why her partnership with Sanjay Leela Bhansali remains special. Their collaboration is often cited as one of the most cherished actor-director pairings in Indian cinema. Meanwhile, Bhansali is currently occupied with his upcoming project ‘Love And War’, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The legacy of ‘Devdas’ continues to shine through reflections like Madhuri’s.