Madhuri Dixit (born as Madhuri Shankar Dixit to a Marathi family on May 15, 1967) is a five-time Filmfare Awards winning Indian Bollywood actress. She is a native of Mumbai, India. Throughout the late 1980s and the 1990s, she dominated Hindi cinema as a leading actress, appearing in many hit films. She is considered to be an icon of the Bollywood film industry. In 2001, Madhuri Dixit was awarded the National Citizens Award to recognize various activities that effect everyday life.

Madhuri Dixit attended Parle College and wanted to be a micro-biologist. She is trained as a Kathak dancer, in the Indian classical tradition. Was a top-line model in India before entering the Hindi film industry. She made her acting debut in Abodh (1984). After a few minor and supporting roles her first major role was in Tezaab (1988) which launched her career. She then went on to star in the hit films Dayavan (1988), Ram Lakhan (1989), Dil (1990), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Khalnayak (1993), and the Bollywood blockbuster Hum Aapke Hain Kaun! (1994). Now after three years of little success, she appeared as Pooja in the successful Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) for which she won her fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.

For many years, she was considered to be the most popular and powerful actress in Bollywood, known for her beauty, acting talents, and dancing skills. Nearly all her hit dancing sequences were choreographed by Saroj Khan. Her dance sequence in the song Chane Ke Kheth Mein (Film Anjaam) received critical acclaim. Her dancing skills, facial grimaces and lusting eyes in the song has haunted the hearts of millions of people ever since. In 2002, she starred in Devdas, with actor Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Madhuri Dixit was applauded for her acting in the film. The film attracted worldwide attention and was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then she has not appeared in any films.

On February 25, 2006 she performed on stage for the first time in six years at the Filmfare Awards to music from her last movie Devdas. Her performance was choreographed by Saroj Khan and was very well received. Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Hussain who considers her the epitome of the Indian woman. She also appeared in his film Gaja Gamini (2000). Gaja Gamini was intended as a tribute to Dixit's talent and beauty. On December 7, 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai along with her husband and sons in order to start to film her new movie titled Aaja Nachle, to be produced by Yash Chopra and directed by Anil Mehta.

Madhuri has a large fan base not only in India but also in several Middle Eastern countries. Notably, she has earned an iconic status among people of Afghanistan (being equally admired by both men and women), Iran, Pakistan, and the Arab countries from the Gulf region. Her portraits became covers of mirrors of Kabul's beauty salons and music and video shops and restaurants. She also became a source of inspiration and fashion trendsetter among Arab teenage girls.

Madhuri, born to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, married an Indian-American; UCLA trained cardiovascular surgeon who practices in Denver, Dr. Sriram Madhav Nene, in 1999, also from a Marathi family. She has two sons, Arin (born in March 2003 in Colorado) and Ryan (born on March 8, 2005 in Colorado). She has two elder sisters, Rupa and Bharati, and an elder brother, Ajit. Madhuri now lives with Dr. Nene and her two children in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Madhuri’s exclusive favourites:
from The Unforgettable Tour 2008 Diary...

Favourite Colour:   Orange
Favourite Movie:   Padosan
Favourite English Movie:  Roman Holiday
Favourite Cuisine:   Indian
Favourite Holiday:   Hawaii
Favourite City:    Amchi Mumbai
Favourite of the Unforgettable Tour: Dola Re
Favourite song of Big B:  Choo kar mere man ko
Favourite perfume:   Nina Ricci
Favourite Party Place:   Home with the Children!!