Amruta Khanvilkar: ‘Madhuri Dixit is a ray of hope for every other Marathi mulgi’ | Exclusive

Amruta Khanvilkar, Madhuri Dixit Pic/Instagram

Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit celebrates her birthday on May 15. While the actor is adored by millions of fans worldwide, she's found a special admirer in Amruta Khanvilkar. The ‘Wajle Ki Bara' star has wowed with her renditions of Madhuri Dixit numbers given her impeccable dance skills. She exclusively tells mid-day.com why she's the actor's biggest fan.

Amruta recalls watching Madhuri Dixit's movies as a different experience. To her, she meant everything. "I think the role she really rocked was Chandramukhi, and there was something just so attractive about her in everything that she did, her on-screen grace and presence. I have always loved her more than the character she has portrayed."

The ‘Raazi' actor says she relates to the dance queen as an artist because of the way she lights up the screen. "It is something that nobody can achieve you know and as a Maharashtrian, I truly connect with her. She is a ray of hope for millions of girls that if she can do it, every other Marathi mulgi can."

Reminiscing her earliest memories of Madhuri, Amruta says, "I fell in love with dance because of her. When I saw her do those steps in ‘Akhiyaan Milaoon Kabhi', it just blew me away. I knew I had to copy her and do something she was doing. I got this huge order from inside to do something like that, and that is when dance, kind of took birth in me."

Amruta, who was a contestant on the dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10' says she participated only to perform in front of Madhuri. "There was no other agenda for me to take up that show for me. It was like life was coming back to a full circle from being a fan to knowing her personally. My first performance was a lavani. I still remember the Rs 100 she gave me. I just couldn't hold back my tears."

Sharing a life lesson she has learned from Madhuri, the ‘Malang' actor says, "No matter what and where you are, you should really treat people with a lot of respect and kindness. She (Madhuri) does that and she is a superstar. That is something we should learn and of course, working on your art. She is the Madhuri Dixit and yet she does riaz."