EXCLUSIVE: Madhuri Dixit Reveals Why She Was Warned Against Doing Saajan with Sanjay Dutt
In an exclusive conversation, Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit opened up about an unexpected piece of advice she received before signing the 1991 classic Saajan. Starring opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, the film became a landmark in her career, but not without some initial hesitation.
Madhuri revealed that industry insiders had warned her about working with Sanjay Dutt, who at the time had a reputation for being a “bad boy” of Bollywood. “People told me to reconsider taking up Saajan, primarily because of Sanjay’s image. They thought his off-screen persona might overshadow the film or lead to controversy,” Madhuri shared. Despite the concerns, the actress trusted her instincts and the strength of the script.
Reflecting on her decision, Madhuri expressed no regrets. “I believed in the story and the team. Sometimes, you have to look beyond perceptions. Sanjay and I shared a great working relationship, and Saajan went on to become an unforgettable film for all of us.”
The romantic drama, which showcased an unconventional love triangle, resonated deeply with audiences and solidified Madhuri’s position as a reigning queen of Bollywood. Her performance, paired with the soulful soundtrack, left a lasting legacy, proving that taking risks often pays off in the world of cinema.
In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, Madhuri Dixit revealed that her decision to be a part of the Saajan film was met with doubts and warnings from others. The diva known for her impressive performances had just reached the peak of her success when she signed the Sanjay Dutt starrer film.
Dixit recalled, “This is Sajan. What a beautiful film. What songs are in that movie? And I remember when I had signed this film, many people said, ‘Why are you doing this movie? It’s not going to work.'”
Recalling the same, she said, “People said Sanjay Dutt is an action star. And he is shown like this. Like a handicapped person. How can this happen? This is not going to work. But once the film was made, and you know, it created history after that.”
This skepticism and doubt quickly left the scene when Saajan did a stellar performance at the box office. Its songs topped the music charts, audiences loved the story, and the movie became the highest-grossing film in 1991. The romantic drama film became one of the most memorable and loved films of the 90s and contributed significantly to the success of Salman, Sanjay, and Madhuri’s careers.
