Madhuri Dixit (born Madhuri Shankar Dixit on 15 May 1967) is an Indian Bollywood actress. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and accomplished dancers.
She appeared in numerous commercial successes and was recognised for several performances as well as dance numbers in various films. Dixit is often cited by the media as one of the most prominent female actresses in Bollywood.
In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.
Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and wanted to be a microbiologist. She was trained as a Kathak dancer.
Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Abodh in 1984. After a few minor and supporting roles in movies like Dayavan and Vardi, she landed the lead female role in Tezaab (1988), for which she received her first Filmfare nomination. She then starred in a number of films that included Ram Lakhan (1989), Parinda (1989), Tridev (1989), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990) and Prahaar (1991).
In 1990, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's romantic-drama Dil. She played the role of Madhu Mehra, a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love and later leaves her house to marry. The film became one of the biggest box-office hits of the year in India, and Dixit's performance earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.