Acting is my first love, but dancing is my passion: Madhuri Dixit

The Dhak Dhak girl aka Madhuri Dixit is back to floor us with her dancing skills. The actress is all set to return to the platform she loves the most! Yes, the evergreen beauty of B-Town will judge the Indian edition of So You Think You Can Dance on &TV. 

We caught up with the beauty for a quick chat. Here's what she has to say about dance.

Excerpts:

What is the secret behind your beauty?
I would say dancing. It’s a great form of exercise, which is good for your body and mind. It keeps you fit and healthy.

You were judging Jhalak Dhikhla Jaa and are now part of So You Think. What attracts you to these dance reality shows?
Acting is my first love, but dancing is my passion. I learnt kathak and then adapted to Bollywood dance. Whether it's Jhalak or So You Think, it’s the dance that attracts me. So You Think is different as it’s about a common man. It’s about people who have strived in their lives as their families have disowned them but they still have that passion. Where other shows end, So You Think begins. It’s the fight between street and stage dancing.

Have you ever been a part of street dancing?
The first time I heard about it was because of Govinda’s song ‘I am a Street Dancer’. Tamma Tamma and Chane Ke Khet Mein were a kind of street dancing, albeit in a Bollywood way.

Jhalak and Madhuri had become synonyms. Was it tough to move ahead?
I did five seasons with Jhalak and it’s not that I have not enjoyed it. It was fun judging those seasons. But the show featured celebrities. But this show is about a common man. 

As a judge, you have been quite encouraging and being an emotional person, how difficult it is to not get too involved with the contestants?
It may happen. We have already started developing a bond with some of the contestants. There was one who we had to say no to and that’s the hardest thing you can do because you know how much they have struggled to come here. But you also have a competition to manage and you have to keep that in mind. The best one has to get in. If you take people based on their stories then you're being unfair to great dancers. So you to have to keep a balance when you are judging a show. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali once said that he couldn't tell whether Madhuri was a better dancer or actor. What do you have to say to that?
I feel there is acting in dance too. And to be a good dancer, you have to be good actor.

You are a fabulous dancer and actor. Have your kids taken after you in these categories?
They are the most mischievous kids around. I don’t know where they have learnt that from. I want them to be what they wish to be as I don’t want to influence them in any way. They are musically-inclined as they love to play the piano. They are learning to play the tabla too. One is interested in science and human body, while the other loves history. They love watching films and they tell me a lot about scripts and all.

Have you and your husband ever burnt the dance floor together? 
Yes, we are a couple so we have done that. He is quite cool, actually! In Dance with Madhuri, there was a class for non-dancers with Manish Paul and my husband learning basic moves.

What about your film career...keen on getting back? 
I think both small and big screens are going to merge finally. Because people are watching films on their mobile phones. As soon as I find something interesting, I will be back.

Are you open to doing fiction shows on TV? 
Not yet.

Lastly, why should we watch So You Think?
I would say because the dancers are phenomenal. The contestants have to do their own choreography. As the show unfolds, people will realize that the dancing in this show is terrific.

Good luck with the show, MD!