A heartwarming encounter between legendary artist MF Husain and his muse, actress Madhuri Dixit, in Denver became a pivotal moment that reshaped her understanding of her own art and eventually led to her return to cinema.
The Denver Reunion: Muse and Mother
In the mid-2000s, after Madhuri Dixit had married Dr. Shriram Nene in 1999 and moved to Denver, stepping away from her peak Bollywood career, she received a special visitor. MF Husain, who had famously immortalized her in numerous paintings signed as "Fida" (devoted), traveled to see her. Madhuri recalled in an interview with Faye D’Souza that Husain expressed a desire to see her not just as the actress, but as a mother, as she had welcomed her sons Arin (born 2003) and Ryan (born 2005) by then.
"Why Are You Punishing Me?": A Moment of Realization
During his visit, Husain wished to paint her portrait. In a gesture of hospitality, Madhuri asked him to relax and have tea instead. The artist's response struck a deep chord. "He said, 'Why are you punishing me?' I said, 'Why?' He said, 'I’m most relaxed when I paint,'" Madhuri recounted. This simple statement made her reflect on her own craft. She realized that she, too, was most comfortable in front of the camera, embodying different characters. This revelation was a turning point for the actress, who had not acted since her iconic role in 2002's Devdas and her journey into motherhood.
The Man with a Rollaway Bag of Paints
Madhuri also fondly remembered Husain's unique and minimalist nature. He arrived at her Denver home with just a small rollaway bag, which contained not clothes, but his paints. He had packed only the shirt and pants he was wearing, with night pyjamas underneath for the Denver cold. His ability to spread goodwill and laughter, with his art as his sole priority, left a lasting impression on her.
The Lasting Impact of a Creative Bond
The motivational Denver encounter had significant consequences. It prompted Madhuri Dixit to end her acting hiatus. She made a celebrated comeback to Bollywood in 2007 with the film Aaja Nachle. Subsequently, she began judging the popular dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and eventually moved back to Mumbai with her family in 2011.
Her creative partnership with MF Husain was profound. He had directed his first film, Gaja Gamini (2000), as a tribute to her. Furthermore, in the 1997 film Mohabbat, where Madhuri played a painter, all the artworks shown were authentically created by Husain himself.
This story of artistic inspiration and personal rediscovery remains a cherished chapter in Bollywood lore. MF Husain passed away in 2011 at the age of 95, but the legacy of his muse, Madhuri Dixit, continues as she prepares for her next role in the series Mrs Deshpande.
