Madhoo Says She'll Play Ajay Devgn's Mother Now As She Has 'Evolved': 'Look At It As A Challenge, Not Sexist'

Madhoo Shah made her Bollywood debut with Phool Aur Kaante opposite Ajay Devgn. Earlier, while talking about her hiatus from the big screen, Madhoo’s statement created quite a stir when she said that she didn’t want to play Ajay’s mother. She said that she was introduced in the same film as him and was the same age as Ajay. Now, the actress has opened up about her statement in a recent chat.

Speaking to Zoom, Madhoo said, “That statement was taken out of context. I said if, hypothetically… I am correcting myself now because I have evolved as an actor. I made the statement 2-3 years ago, in some other context. In the 2-3 years, I have realized I have played many different roles. I played an apsara in Shakuntalam with Samantha (Ruth Prabhu)… So when I play, as an actor, actually I am enjoying the liberty and freedom of being an actor today. Back in the 90s, we were put in a box. We romanced, we sang, we danced. But now, with OTT, stories and content, I think that is kind of broken away. A lot of great opportunities are coming for every actor.”

“So, today I am thinking as an actor if I do get a role where they say you have to look older than Ajay and play his mother’s role, I would take it as a challenge as an actor. If I get a role where I have to play any yesteryear lead actor’s mother’s role, I would look at it as a challenge and not as a sexist, controversial or that kind of a conversation. Let me see if I am convincing,” she added.

For the unversed, Madhoo won over fans from all parts of the country with an electrifying performance in Mani Ratnam’s pan-India 1992 Tamil film Roja and also did other films like Yeshwant and Diljale. However, towards the end of the 90s, Madhoo disappeared from films. In an earlier interview, Madhoo said that it was a conscious decision as she was tired of playing just the romantic interest of the larger-than-life hero, appearing in songs and dance numbers.

Madhoo added that after doing a film like Roja, she expected meatier roles but did not get any so she decided to quit. She said that she wrote a letter to multiple people saying she was quitting, and the intention was to say that they did not deserve her. However, later she wanted to make a comeback but realised that she might be typecast into older roles. “It was difficult because I did not want to play mother to Ajay Devgn, with whom I was introduced in the same film. We are of the same age,” she further said. However, she acknowledged that things are changing for the better, citing the example of Tabu who has appeared opposite Ajay Devgn in recent films.

Madhoo will soon be seen in Kartam Bhugtam alongside Shreyas Talpade and Vijay Raaz.