Editing Madhuri Dixit (section)

== Acting career ==
{{further|Madhuri Dixit filmography}}

=== 1980s: Early roles and breakthrough ===
Dixit made her cinema debut in 1984 with [[Rajshri Productions]]' drama ''[[Abodh]]'', opposite Bengali actor, [[Tapas Paul]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=IANS |title=How Madhuri Dixit got her Bollywood debut? |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/how-madhuri-dixit-got-her-bollywood-debut/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=24 April 2016 |date=11 September 2015 |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711183710/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/how-madhuri-dixit-got-her-bollywood-debut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon release, the film failed commercially but Dixit's performance earned her positive reviews from critics. Aakash Barvalia of Gomolo wrote, "Madhuri excels in her role as a young bride who acquits herself well as the naive village girl and does not realise what marriage actually entails."<ref>{{cite web |title=Abodh Movie Review |url=http://www.gomolo.com/abodh-movie-review/5637/606859 |publisher=Gomolo |access-date=26 July 2012 |first=Aakash |last=Barvalia |archive-date=5 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205001112/http://www.gomolo.com/abodh-movie-review/5637/606859 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her only release of 1985 – ''[[Awara Baap]]'' – flopped at the box office.<ref name="toi2" /> During this time, a monochrome photograph of hers, shot by [[Gautam Rajadhyaksha]] was featured on the cover of the then-popular magazine ''[[Debonair (magazine)|Debonair]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Magazines with cover features on Madhuri Dixit |url=http://www.famousfix.com/topic/madhuri-dixit/magazines |website=Famous pictures |publisher=famousfix |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724235911/http://www.famousfix.com/topic/madhuri-dixit/magazines |url-status=dead}}</ref> and she appeared as the cover girl of [[Filmfare]] in April 1986.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singhal |first1=Divya |title=30 Years of Madhuri Dixit Magazine Covers – And She's Still Fab! |url=https://english.fashion101.in/news/FAS-CELF-CSF-madhuri-dixits-magazine-covers-over-the-years-5323913.html |access-date=31 May 2018 |newspaper=Daily Bhaskar |date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219015759/https://english.fashion101.in/news/FAS-CELF-CSF-madhuri-dixits-magazine-covers-over-the-years-5323913.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dixit's next four releases were the dramas ''[[Swati (1986 film)|Swati]]'' (1986), ''[[Manav Hatya]]'' (1986), ''[[Hifazat (1987 film)|Hifazat]]'' (1987) and ''[[Uttar Dakshin]]'' (1987). None of these films performed well either critically or commercially.<ref name="toi2">{{cite news |title=Madhuri Dixit: Lesser known facts |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Madhuri-Dixit-Lesser-known-facts/photostory/47294216.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=24 April 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518045127/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Madhuri-Dixit-Lesser-known-facts/photostory/47294216.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Hifazat marked Dixit's first of several collaborations with [[Anil Kapoor]]. In 1988, Dixit had film releases; two of them —''[[Mohre]]'', and ''[[Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988 film)|Khatron Ke Khiladi]]'' —were commercial failures.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raheja |first1=Dinesh |title=The actor who renounced success |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jan/28dinesh.htm |website=[[Rediff]] |access-date=24 April 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726054856/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jan/28dinesh.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1988, Dixit acted in ''[[Dayavan]]'', which was a commercially successful film.<ref>{{cite web | last=Vinayak | first=Gayatri | title=Bollywood's underworld love affair: Eight films on real-life gangsters who terrorised Mumbai | website=Yahoo | date=19 September 2017 | url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/bollywoods-underworld-love-affair-eight-slideshow-wp-043709118.html | access-date=17 July 2022 | archive-date=21 January 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121174536/https://in.style.yahoo.com/bollywoods-underworld-love-affair-eight-slideshow-wp-043709118.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In her next movie from the same year she finally attained recognition when she played Mohini, an impoverished and miserable woman, who is forced to dance to make money for her father in [[N. Chandra]]'s action drama ''[[Tezaab]]'' opposite Anil Kapoor.<ref name="toi1">{{cite web |author1=IANS |title='Gorgeous' Madhuri Dixit turns 48 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Gorgeous-Madhuri-Dixit-turns-48/articleshow/47299866.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=24 April 2016 |date=15 May 2015 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412004323/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Gorgeous-Madhuri-Dixit-turns-48/articleshow/47299866.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> It went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year and she received her first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress]] nomination;<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://oldbh.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/9126/index.html |title=Madhuri Dixit: Awards & Nominations |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920083808/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/9126/index.html |archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> the film's success established Dixit as a leading actress of Hindi cinema, and marked a significant turning point in her career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=194&catName=MTk4OA== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131224648/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=194&catName=MTk4OA%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2009 |title=Bollywood Films of 1988 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> Akshay Shah of ''Planet Bollywood'' wrote, "Madhuri Dixit also gives a fine tuned performance. Though she is more remembered for her crowd pleasing dance act 'Ek Do Teen', her acting needs to be noted, specially in the scenes where she is pitted against [[Anupam Kher]]."<ref>{{cite web |title=Tezaab Movie Review |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=041806055221 |publisher=Planet Bollywood |access-date=27 July 2012 |first=Akshay |last=Shah |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811065927/http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=041806055221 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Her first release of 1989, ''[[Vardi (film)|Vardi]]'', did fairly well at the box office. She next re-united with Anil Kapoor for [[Subhash Ghai]]'s ''[[Ram Lakhan]]''. She played Radha Shastri, a girl who falls in love with her childhood friend, but finds it hard to convince her father. Finishing up as the second highest-grossing film of the year, ''Ram Lakhan'' emerged as a "super-hit" at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=195&catName=MTk5MA== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730011822/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=195&catName=MTk5MA%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2013 |title=Bollywood Films of 1989 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> Dixit's next release was the romantic drama ''[[Prem Pratigyaa]]'', in which she was paired opposite [[Mithun Chakraborty]]. Her portrayal of Laxmi Rao, a distraught woman who influences a local underworld don letting him give up his bad habits, earned her a second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref name="awards" /> Dixit collaborated with [[Trimurti Films]] for the action thriller ''[[Tridev]]'' which featured an ensemble cast ([[Sunny Deol]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Sangeeta Bijlani]], [[Sonam (actress)|Sonam]] and [[Amrish Puri]]). It finished up as one of the biggest hits and the third highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=195&catName=MTk4OQ==&PHPSESSID=f87e5a978dbf69f7f9fc90ced85b36d0 |title=Box Office 1989 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118030808/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=195&catName=MTk4OQ==&PHPSESSID=f87e5a978dbf69f7f9fc90ced85b36d0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Her next release of the year, [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]]'s drama ''[[Parinda]]'', co-starring Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and [[Nana Patekar]] was another box office hit. She played Paro, a schoolteacher who is killed on her wedding night along with Karan (played by Kapoor) by a gangster (played by Patekar). A major critical success, the film was included in [[News18]]'s 2013 list of the "100 greatest Indian films of all time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-9.html |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |website=[[News18]] |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425234438/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-9.html |archive-date=25 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was selected as the [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|official Indian submission]] for the 1990 [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] but was not nominated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/867334/10-bollywood-movies-you-didnt-know-were-selected-for-oscars-from-india/3/ |title=10 Bollywood movies you didn't know were selected for Oscars from India |work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |access-date=24 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185227/http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/867334/10-bollywood-movies-you-didnt-know-were-selected-for-oscars-from-india/3/ |archive-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> Rediff.com opined that Dixit added "touching vulnerability and soft focus appeal to the heavy duty proceedings".<ref name="perf" /> Also that year, after ''Prem Pratigyaa'' she starred in ''[[Ilaaka]]'', ''[[Mujrim]]'' (both opposite Mithun Chakraborty) and all three were hits. Other films such as ''[[Paap Ka Ant]]'' (opposite [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]]) and ''[[Kanoon Apna Apna]]'' (opposite [[Sanjay Dutt]]) was an average grosser.<ref name="Usman 2018">{{cite book |last=Usman |first=Yasser |title=Sanjay Dutt: The Crazy Untold Story of Bollywood's Bad Boy |year=2018 |publisher=Juggernaut Books |isbn=9789386228581 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fK5oDwAAQBAJ |access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>

=== 1990s: Established actress ===

In 1990, Dixit appeared in nine films. Five of them—''[[Maha-Sangram]]'', ''[[Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin]]'', ''[[Jeevan Ek Sanghursh]]'', ''[[Sailaab (1990 film)|Sailaab]]'' and ''[[Jamai Raja (film)|Jamai Raja]]''—were commercially unsuccessful. Her next release that year was [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s action comedy ''[[Kishen Kanhaiya]]'' (alongside Anil Kapoor and [[Shilpa Shirodkar]]). It tells the story of twin brothers who are separated at birth and re-unite in their youth. Dixit and Shirodkar played the love interests of Kapoor's characters. It was the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year in India.<ref name="BO 1990" /> Dixit next played a strong-willed woman in the box-office average action drama ''[[Izzatdaar]]''.<ref name="BO 1990" /> She won her first [[Filmfare Best Actress Award|Filmfare Award for Best Actress]] for portraying Madhu, a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love with a poorer boy, in [[Indra Kumar]]'s romantic drama ''[[Dil (1990 film)|Dil]]'' opposite [[Aamir Khan]]. It emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year.<ref name="BO 1990">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=196&catName=MTk5MA== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131152321/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=196&catName=MTk5MA%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2009 |title=Bollywood Films of 1990 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> Rediff.com hailed her performance, commenting "..she showed her range as a performer. She breathed fire as the rebellious lover defying her family, or the forlorn estranged wife longing to be with her ailing better half."<ref name="perf">{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/watch/20060512.htm |title=Weekend Watch: A Madhuri Special! |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012045030/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/watch/20060512.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit's final release of the year was the action drama ''[[Thanedaar]]'', opposite Dutt, which was another commercial hit.<ref name="BO 1990" />

In 1991, Dixit had five film releases, the first of which was the romance ''[[Pyar Ka Devta]]''. She next starred alongside Jackie Shroff in the [[psychological thriller]] ''[[100 Days (1991 film)|100 Days]]''. She played Devi, a clairvoyant woman who has a vision of a murder and sets out to uncover the truth. The film was a moderately successful.<ref name="BO91">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=197&catName=MTk5MQ== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131152326/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=197&catName=MTk5MQ%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2009 |title=Bollywood Films of 1991 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> She next starred in ''[[Saajan]]'' opposite Dutt and [[Salman Khan]]. A major critical and commercial success, the film earned Dixit praise for her portrayal of Pooja Saxena, who is in love with her idol – Sagar. She received her fourth Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work in the film.<ref name="awards" /><ref name="BO91" /> [[T. Rama Rao]]'s ''[[Pratikar]]'' and Nana Patekar's ''[[Prahaar: The Final Attack|Prahaar]]'' were her other releases.

In 1992, Dixit starred in [[Sudhir Mishra]]'s ''[[Dharavi (film)|Dharavi]]'' starring [[Om Puri]], [[Shabana Azmi]] and Anil Kapoor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/from-mrityudand-to-dedh-ishqiya-every-time-madhuri-dixit-won-hearts-with-offbeat-films/dharavi/slideshow/75752189.cms |title=From 'Mrityudand' to 'Dedh Ishqiya', Every Time Madhuri Dixit Won Hearts With Offbeat Films |date=15 May 2020 |access-date=30 May 2021 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427072616/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/from-mrityudand-to-dedh-ishqiya-every-time-madhuri-dixit-won-hearts-with-offbeat-films/dharavi/slideshow/75752189.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit appears in the film as part of the lead character's (played by Puri) escapist dreams, portraying the fictional version of herself. The film was a joint [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]]-[[Doordarshan]] production and went on to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfdcindia.com/view_film.php?film_id=67&show=all&categories_id=8 |title=Dharavi |work=NFDC |url-status=dead |access-date=11 April 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209122633/http://www.nfdcindia.com/view_film.php?film_id=67&show=all&categories_id=8}}</ref> Dixit's next release of the year was Kumar's drama ''[[Beta (film)|Beta]]'', co-starring Anil Kapoor and [[Aruna Irani]]. Dixit's portrayal of Saraswati, an educated woman who rebels against her manipulative mother-in-law, earned her critical acclaim. Sukanya Verma mentioned that Dixit delivered "a powerhouse performance against an equally lethal looking Irani, even as Kapoor was overshadowed between the ladies."<ref name="perf" /> The film finished up as [[List of Bollywood films of 1992|the biggest hit of the year]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=198&catName=MTk5Mg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131152332/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=198&catName=MTk5Mg%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2009 |title=Bollywood Films of 1992 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> and won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref name="awards" /> Following the film's success, Dixit became famously known as the "Dhak Dhak Girl". ''[[Zindagi Ek Juaa]]'', ''[[Prem Deewane]]'', ''[[Khel (1992 film)|Khel]]'' and ''[[Sangeet (film)|Sangeet]]'' were her other releases of the year.

In 1993, Dixit appeared in [[Ramesh Talwar]]'s ''[[Sahibaan]]'' which was commercially successful.<ref name="Usman 2018" /> Dixit next reunited with Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff in Subhash Ghai's crime drama ''[[Khalnayak]]''. Her portrayal of Ganga, a police officer, who volunteers to go undercover, to trap an escaped criminal, garnered her critical acclaim. ''[[India Today]]'' wrote, "..she grinds and thrusts in her trademark dhak dhak style. The whistles grow deafening when she stares into the camera, looks at every man in the dark, and promises him her heart-and much more. In one Bangalore theatre, the police were kept on stand-by in case the crowds went berserk."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19930915-the-madhuri-magic-756175-1993-09-15 |title=THE MADHURI MAGIC |date=15 September 1993 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012045031/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19930915-the-madhuri-magic-756175-1993-09-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit's performance in ''Khalnayak'' earned her a sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and became the second highest-grossing film of the year in India.<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName=MTk5Mw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410191229/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName=MTk5Mw%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2008 |title=Bollywood Films of 1993 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> [[Singeetam Srinivasa Rao]]'s ''[[Phool (1993 film)|Phool]]'' and [[Lawrence D'Souza]]'s ''[[Dil Tera Aashiq]]'' were her other releases of the year.

In 1994, Dixit starred in Rahul Rawail's psychological thriller ''[[Anjaam]]'', which marked her first of many collaborations with [[Shah Rukh Khan]]. Dixit's portrayal of Shivani Chopra, a revenge-seeking wife and mother earned her a seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The film performed moderately well at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1994&pageId=4 |title=TOP INDIA TOTAL NETT GROSS 1997 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716104405/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1994&pageId=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her next release was Rajshri Productions' family drama ''[[Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!]]'' opposite Salman Khan. The film emerged as one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema and made {{INR}} 1.35&nbsp;billion worldwide, breaking the record of the film ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975). It became the [[List of highest-grossing Bollywood films|highest grossing Bollywood film in Hindi cinema history]] after its theatrical run and held the record for 7 years till the release of ''[[Gadar: Ek Prem Katha]]'' (2001). Dixit's portrayal of Nisha, who falls in love with Prem (Khan's character) but their plans to be together are put in jeopardy when Nisha's sister dies, fetched her a third Filmfare Award for Best Actress and her first [[Screen Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="awards" /> Critics believed the film to be "too sweet" but appreciated Dixit's performance.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bollywood: An Insider's Guide |first=Fuad |last=Omar |year=2006 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=1-84728-009-9 |page=266 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kF7dECS-cIC&q=Bollywood%3A+An+Insider%27s+Guide |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411164546/https://books.google.com/books?id=8kF7dECS-cIC&q=Bollywood%3A+An+Insider%27s+Guide |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Qureshi |first1=Omar |title=The grand wedding celebration cult! |url=http://filmfare.indiatimes.com/nowshowing/index5.htm |access-date=1 May 2020 |year=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000304155147/http://filmfare.indiatimes.com/nowshowing/index5.htm |archive-date=4 March 2000}}</ref> Tripat Narayanan of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' wrote "The Madhuri magic looms large throughout the film. As she emotes through dance, you simply cannot take your eyes off her."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Narayanan |first1=Tripat |title=Leaving The Theatre Filled With Bonhomie |work=New Straits Times |date=18 March 1995 |page=28 |language=en}}</ref> In a retrospect review, ''Rediff'' wrote, "Madhuri's Nisha was stunning, enthused, plucky and irresistible."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/may/11sld11.htm |title=Readers pick: Madhuri's best films |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430121902/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/may/11sld11.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Film critic K Hariharan noted, "She is seducing every person on screen, but does it in ways that are so graceful, there is a good balance between profanity and the sacred."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/buzz/25-years-of-hum-aapke-hain-koun-how-the-movie-sparked-a-profound-shift-in-bollywood-4301971.htm/amp |title=25 years of Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! How the movie sparked a profound shift in Bollywood |date=5 September 2019 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921113940/https://www.cnbctv18.com/buzz/25-years-of-hum-aapke-hain-koun-how-the-movie-sparked-a-profound-shift-in-bollywood-4301971.htm/amp |url-status=live }}</ref> The film won two [[National Film Awards]], including the [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]<ref name="42ndawardPDF">{{Cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/42nd_nff_1995.pdf |title=42nd National Film Awards |website=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232134/http://dff.nic.in/2011/42nd_nff_1995.pdf |archive-format=PDF |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref> and in the Millennium Edition of the "[[Guinness Book of World Records]]", ''Hum Aapke Hain Koun'' became [[Bollywood]]'s highest-grossing film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=200&catName=MTk5Mw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729001612/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=200&catName=MTk5Mw%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2013 |title=Bollywood Films of 1994 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>

Dixit achieved further success when she reunited with Indra Kumar for the romantic drama ''[[Raja (1995 film)|Raja]]'' opposite [[Sanjay Kapoor]]. She portrayed Madhu, a rich girl who falls for her childhood friend (played by Kapoor), however, she finds it tough to convince her two brothers of this relationship. It emerged as [[List of Bollywood films of 1995|the third highest-grossing film of the year]] and its success was attributed to Dixit's immense popularity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=201&catName=MTk5Mw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822153133/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=201&catName=MTk5Mw%3D%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 August 2013 |title=Bollywood Films of 1995 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> She won a second Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance.<ref name="awards" /> Her next release was [[David Dhawan]]'s ''[[Yaraana (1995 film)|Yaraana]]'' opposite [[Rishi Kapoor]], in which she played Lalita, a dancer on the run from her abusive lover. The film underperformed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2920 |title=YARAANA |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718033610/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2920 |url-status=live }}</ref> Both the films earned her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref name="awards" />

The following year, both her films ''[[Prem Granth]]'' and ''[[Rajkumar (1996 film)|Rajkumar]]'' flopped at the box office.<ref name="Box Office Results 1996">{{cite web |title=Box Office Results 1996 |publisher=Box Office India |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1996.htm |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827200725/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1996.htm |archive-date=27 August 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, Dixit received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ketki Singh, a village woman who struggles to confront and defeat the forces of oppression and male domination in [[Prakash Jha]]'s ''[[Mrityudand]]'' alongside Shabana Azmi and Shilpa Shirodkar.<ref name="encyc" /> In a review for [[India Today]], [[Anupama Chopra]] wrote, " Dixit gives her career's best performance. Simply dressed, she looks stunning and acts even better. She is by turns romantic, vulnerable, angry – the perfect foil to Azmi's long-suffering 'badi bahu'."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970721-movie-review-mrityudand-starring-shabana-azmi-madhuri-dixit-om-puri-830408-1997-07-21 |title=Movie review: Mrityudand, starring Shabana Azmi, Madhuri Dixit, Om Puri |date=21 July 1997 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012045035/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970721-movie-review-mrityudand-starring-shabana-azmi-madhuri-dixit-om-puri-830408-1997-07-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Screen India|Screen]]'' magazine deemed her portrayal "fiery" and appreciated the lack of glamour in the part.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brave and progressive |url=http://www.screenindia.com/jul18/review.htm |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Screen |publisher=Express Group |date=18 July 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010723180452/http://www.screenindia.com/jul18/review.htm |archive-date=23 July 2001 |language=en}}</ref> For her performance, Dixit won a third Screen Award for Best Actress.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-biggest-winners/903468/ |title=The biggest winners |last=Parsa |first=Raghu Chandra |date=27 January 2012 |access-date=17 September 2012 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Limited |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810221907/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-biggest-winners/903468/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She next starred in the dramas ''[[Koyla]]'', ''[[Mahaanta]]'' and ''[[Mohabbat (1997 film)|Mohabbat]]''. With the exception of Koyla, none of these films performed well either critically or commercially.<ref name=BO97>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1997&pageId=4 |title=TOP INDIA TOTAL NETT GROSS 1997 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709064750/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1997&pageId=4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dixit's fifth and final release of 1997 was [[Yash Chopra]]'s musical romantic drama ''[[Dil To Pagal Hai]]''. Co-starring [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Karisma Kapoor]] and [[Akshay Kumar]], the film depicts the love stories of the dancers in a musical dance troupe. Her role of Pooja, a woman faced with a moral dilemma in a love quadrangle fetched her a fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actress and the [[Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Female]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zeecineawards.com/timeline/1998/winners/ |title=1998 Archives – Zee Cine Awards |website=Zee Cine Awards |access-date=24 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209003123/http://www.zeecineawards.com/timeline/1998/winners/ |archive-date=9 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="toi1" /><ref name="encyc">{{cite book |author1=Gulzar |first2=Saibal |last2=Chatterjee |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&pg=PT573 |year=2003 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7991-066-5 |page=573}}</ref> ''Dil To Pagal Hai'' emerged as a blockbuster at the box office and emerged as [[List of Bollywood films of 1997|the highest-grossing film of the year]] in India.<ref name=BO97 /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_thank-khans-for-festival-box-office-bonanza_1768306 |title=Thank Khans for festival box office bonanza! |last1=Ghosh |first1=Rashi Aditi |last2=Chakrabarty |first2=Ankita |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=13 December 2012 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127233130/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_thank-khans-for-festival-box-office-bonanza_1768306 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[45th National Film Awards]], the film won three awards, including the [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/45th_NFA.pdf |title=45th National Film Awards |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004458/http://dff.nic.in/2011/45th_NFA.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

She next starred in the N.Chandra-directed drama ''[[Wajood (1998 film)|Wajood]]'' (1998) opposite Nana Patekar and [[Mukul Dev]]. She played Apoorva, a very rich girl who is misunderstood by Malhar, played by Patekar. Suparn Verma of ''Rediff'' commented: "..She nevertheless shows that even a weak role cannot stifle her as she animates the screen like only she can. Truly, the coming together of Nana, Madhuri and Chandra in one film is a tour de force."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/dec/12wajood.htm |title=Nana's tour de force |work=Rediff.com |access-date=8 March 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308081322/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/dec/12wajood.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, she appeared in a cameo role in the comedy ''[[Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998 film)|Bade Miyan Chote Miyan]]'', once again playing herself onscreen after ''Dharavi''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Roy Chowdhury |first=Rishita |date=16 October 2020 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/bade-miyan-chote-miyan-still-cracks-madhuri-dixit-up-22-years-after-its-release-1732271-2020-10-16 |title=Bade Miyan Chote Miyan still cracks Madhuri Dixit up, 22 years after its release |magazine=India Today |accessdate=5 November 2023 |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105071538/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/bade-miyan-chote-miyan-still-cracks-madhuri-dixit-up-22-years-after-its-release-1732271-2020-10-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her next and only release of 1999 was the romance ''[[Aarzoo (1999 film)|Aarzoo]]'' (1999) opposite [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Saif Ali Khan]]. Upon release, the film emerged commercially unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&q=madhuri+dixit+during+1990%27s&pg=PT573 |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |author=Gulazāra and Saibal Chatterjee |publisher=Popular Prakashan |year=2003 |isbn=9788179910665 |page=573 |access-date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427072847/https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&q=madhuri+dixit+during+1990%27s&pg=PT573#v=snippet&q=madhuri%20dixit%20during%201990's&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2000s: Career fluctuations and sabbaticals ===

In 2000, Dixit starred in [[Rajkumar Santoshi]]'s ''[[Pukar (2000 film)|Pukar]]'' opposite Anil Kapoor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Talwar |first1=Nupur |title=Madhuri's second coming |url=http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/pukar.html |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=India Today |year=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010508205939/http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/pukar.html |archive-date=8 May 2001}}</ref> A love story based on the backdrop of the Indian Army, the film was shot over a course of 350 days.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-a-sluggish-year-bollywood-approaches-the-new-millennium-with-array-of-releases/1/254448.html |title=New Year fare |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |work=India Today |date=27 December 1999 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105204249/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-a-sluggish-year-bollywood-approaches-the-new-millennium-with-array-of-releases/1/254448.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit's portrayal of Anjali, a heartbroken and jealous woman who swears revenge on Jai (played by Kapoor) for rejecting her, garnered her several Best Actress nominations at various award ceremonies, including Filmfare and Screen.<ref name="awards" /> A review in ''Filmfare'' said that both "Anil Kapoor and Madhuri, veterans in their field, outdo themselves in the film".<ref>{{cite news |title=PUKAR (FILMFARE ONLINE) |url=http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/02_14_2000a.htm |access-date=1 May 2020 |work=Filmfare |date=14 February 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020108180242/http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/02_14_2000a.htm |archive-date=8 January 2002}}</ref> It won two [[National Film Awards]], including the [[Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/48th_nff_2001.pdf |title=48th National Film Awards |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=14 May 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195537/http://dff.nic.in/2011/48th_nff_2001.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> She then played the title character in ''[[Gaja Gamini]]'', the first feature film directed by painter [[M. F. Husain]]. Hussain got fixated with Dixit, and watched her movie ''Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!'' several times, and was certain that he would make a film only with her.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Husain-took-pains-for-Gaja-Gamini/articleshow/49029940.cms |title=Husain took pains for Gaja Gamini |work=The Times of India |date=20 September 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=31 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031081124/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Husain-took-pains-for-Gaja-Gamini/articleshow/49029940.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film followed the story of Gaja Gamini, who appears in various incarnations as [[Mona Lisa]], [[Shakuntala]] and others.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/246203/Gaja-Gamini/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105123847/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/246203/Gaja-Gamini/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2016 |title=Gaja Gamini (2001) |last=Deming |first=Mark |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |year=2016 |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref> ''Pukar'' was an average grosser, while the latter underperformed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/30deepa.htm |title=Oh for a great Hindi film! |last=Gahlot |first=Deepa |work=Rediff.com |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106020842/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/30deepa.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110610/jsp/nation/story_14095070.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614142901/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110610/jsp/nation/story_14095070.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2011 |title=Through the eyes of the besotted |last=Roy |first=Priyanka |work=The Telegraph |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Madhuri Dixit.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Dixit at a press meet for ''[[Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke]]'' in 2001]]
In 2001, Dixit starred in Deepak Shivdasani's love triangle ''[[Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke]]'' opposite [[Ajay Devgan]] and [[Preity Zinta]]. Upon release, the film met with largely negative reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/10yeh.htm |title=Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke Review |work=Rediff.com |access-date=4 August 2012 |last=Siddiqui |first=Shariq |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019062017/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/10yeh.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Critic Gautam Buragohain, however, described her as "the saving grace of the film", adding that "she gives a delightful performance".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Buragohain |first1=Gautam |title=Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Yeh-Raaste-Hain-Pyaar-Ke-/articleshow/1111519255.cms |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=3 September 2001 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711110950/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Yeh-Raaste-Hain-Pyaar-Ke-/articleshow/1111519255.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Commercially too, the film failed to do well.<ref name="BO2001">{{cite web |title=Box Office 2001 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=207&catName=MjAwMQ== |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223304/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=207&catName=MjAwMQ%3D%3D |archive-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequently, Dixit reunited with Rajkumar Santoshi for the social drama ''[[Lajja (film)|Lajja]]'' (2001). Dealing with the issue of [[gender inequality]], Dixit played Janki, a theatre actress who gets pre-maritally pregnant. Anita Bora of [[Rediff.com]] wrote: "Madhuri slips into her role as Janaki..with consummate ease..and..dazzles us with a class act."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/aug/31lajja.htm |title=Not just a slick chick flick! |last=Bora |first=Anita |work=Rediff.com |date=31 August 2001 |access-date=23 May 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927040719/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/aug/31lajja.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a box-office failure in India but was an overseas success.<ref name="BO2001" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Lajja: a hit overseas |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/sep/08raj.htm |last=Pais |first=Arthur J |work=Rediff.com |access-date=1 July 2011 |date=8 September 2001 |archive-date=24 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024175835/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/sep/08raj.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit's performance fetched her a [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]] nomination and won her the [[Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female]].<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zeecineawards.com/video/zca-2002-best-actress-in-a-supporting-role-madhuri-dixit/ |title=ZCA 2002 BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE MADHURI DIXIT |website=Zee Cine Awards |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227192950/http://www.zeecineawards.com/video/zca-2002-best-actress-in-a-supporting-role-madhuri-dixit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit's first release of 2002 was the love triangle ''[[Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam]]'' opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, where she played Radha whose married life blemishes when she gets obsessed with the career of her friend. A remake of director [[K. S. Adhiyaman]]'s own Tamil film ''[[Thotta Chinungi]]'' (1995), the film took six years in making, with huge sabbaticals in between shoots due to several production problems.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/55962 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015012013/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/55962 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2014 |last=Adarsh |first=Taran |author-link=Taran Adarsh |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=24 May 2002 |access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> The film emerged moderately successful at the Indian box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |title=Box Office 2002 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=9 March 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122163713/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |archive-date=22 January 2008}}</ref> Few critics noted that the delay made the film look outdated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/05/31/hum_tumhare_hain_sanam_2002_review.shtml |title=Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) |last=Singh |first=Kuljinder |publisher=BBC |date=31 May 2002 |access-date=23 December 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818205254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/05/31/hum_tumhare_hain_sanam_2002_review.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/may/24hum.htm |title=Two's company, three's jealousy |last=Bora |first=Anita |work=Rediff.com |date=24 May 2002 |access-date=24 December 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044053/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/may/24hum.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dixit's next release was [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]]'s period romantic drama ''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]'', co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and [[Aishwarya Rai]]. It was based on [[Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay]]'s [[Devdas|novel of the same name]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/23/stories/2002092300860100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030624164944/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/23/stories/2002092300860100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2003 |title=Celebrating Devdas |date=23 September 2002 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=1 June 2011}}</ref> She portrayed [[Chandramukhi (character)|Chandramukhi]], a courtesan who is in love with the title character.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Joshi |first1=Sumit |title=Bollywood Through Ages |page=138 |publisher=Best Book Reads |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHQWCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT138 |access-date=24 April 2016 |isbn=978-1-311-67669-6}}</ref> Sita Menon of [[Rediff.com]] wrote: "The most understated role and perhaps the one that is most lingering, in terms of virtuosity, is that played by Madhuri Dixit. As Chandramukhi, she is simply stunning, lending passion, fire and gentleness with such consummate ease that watching her perform is sheer delight."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/12dev.htm |title=Paradise lost |last=Menon |first=Sita |work=Rediff.com |date=12 July 2002 |access-date=4 August 2012 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020024631/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/12dev.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramachandran |first1=S |title=Devdas |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/hindimoviesreview/2002/july/27200.htm |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=Mid Day |date=22 July 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021008185354/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/hindimoviesreview/2002/july/27200.htm |archive-date=8 October 2002}}</ref> The film was screened at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]] and was featured by ''[[Time Magazine|Time]]'' in their listing of the "10 Best Films of the Millennium".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Richard |last=Corliss |title=Cannes Kiss Off |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020610-257165,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109062425/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020610-257165,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2007 |date=3 June 2002 |access-date=20 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1439620/Devdas-in-TIME-magazines-Top-10-films-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903150511/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1439620/Devdas-in-TIME-magazines-Top-10-films-list |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2014 |title=Devdas in TIME magazine's Top 10 films list |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=21 May 2012 |date=21 May 2012}}</ref> The film emerged as a major commercial success with revenues of over {{INRConvert|530|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Box Office India report of 2002 |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2002.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227015435/http://boxofficeindia.com/2002.htm |archive-date=27 December 2007 |access-date=20 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overseas.htm |title=Box Office India report of Overseas Gross |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227020122/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overseas.htm |archive-date=27 December 2007 |access-date=20 November 2008}}</ref> ''Devdas'' was chosen as India's official entry for the [[List of Indian submissions for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] and received a nomination for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Devdas-nominated-for-best-foreign-film-at-Bafta/articleshow/35681339.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512190326/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-27/news-interviews/27288232_1_bafta-british-film-awards-competition-from-awards-veterans |url-status=live |archive-date=12 May 2013 |title=''Devdas'' nominated for best foreign film at Bafta |date=27 January 2003 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> At the [[50th National Film Awards]], the film won five awards, including the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.<ref name="50thaward">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm50NFAAward.aspx |title=50th National Film Awards |publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]] |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505171754/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm50NFAAward.aspx |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dixit eventually won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and the [[Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress]] for her performance in the film.<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Best of Madhuri Dixit |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/best-madhuri-dixit_173.html |publisher=[[Zee News]] |access-date=23 May 2015 |date=15 May 2012 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524214945/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/best-madhuri-dixit_173.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Post ''Devdas'', Dixit took a break from actively working in films to focus on her married life in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]].

[[File:MadhuriDixit.jpg|thumb|upright|Dixit on the sets of ''[[Nach Baliye 3]]'' during promotions of ''[[Aaja Nachle]]'' in 2007]]
In 2007, Dixit made her first comeback as an actress after five years with a leading role in cinematographer [[Anil Mehta]]'s dance film ''[[Aaja Nachle]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo: Madhuri arrives in Mumbai |work=Rediff.com |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/07madhuri.htm |date=7 December 2006 |access-date=11 December 2006 |archive-date=13 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213144254/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/07madhuri.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shes-back/242577/ |title=She'S Back |last=Singh |first=Harneet |work=The Indian Express |date=23 November 2007 |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-date=8 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108204901/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shes-back/242577 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HT1">{{cite web |title=Happy Birthday Madhuri Dixit! |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/happy-birthday-madhuri-dixit/story-qQXuZYgbWESnP5xNFUqWRK.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=24 April 2016 |date=15 May 2015 |archive-date=9 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609211009/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/happy-birthday-madhuri-dixit/story-qQXuZYgbWESnP5xNFUqWRK.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She played Dia, a choreographer who returns to her town to save the endangered theatre where she learnt to dance. A box office failure, the film generated positive reviews for Dixit's portrayal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gajjar |first1=Manish |title=Bollywood Buzz |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2008/05/09/bollywood_buzz_dixit_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC |access-date=22 May 2015 |date=9 May 2008 |archive-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311082632/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2008/05/09/bollywood_buzz_dixit_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of ''[[CNN-News18|CNN-IBN]]'' criticised the plot, while he wrote about Dixit's performance: "It's hard to take your eyes off the screen when she's up there, dazzling you with her spontaneity, her easy charm and her 100-watt smile."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-madhuri-spectacular-in-aaja-nachle/ |title=Masand's Verdict: Madhuri spectacular in Aaja Nachle |last=Masand |first=Rajeev |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222165543/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-madhuri-spectacular-in-aaja-nachle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her performance earned her another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref name="awards" />

=== 2010s: Sporadic work and television focus ===

Dixit relocated to India with her family in 2011 and was felicitated by [[Filmfare]] with a [[Filmfare Special Award|special jury recognition]] for completing 25 years in the Indian film industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/2.526/shah-rukh-khan-kajol-bag-top-honours-at-filmfare-awards-2011-01-30-1.348781 |title=Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol bag top honours at Filmfare Awards |publisher=Emirates 24/7 |date=30 January 2011 |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104952/http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/2.526/shah-rukh-khan-kajol-bag-top-honours-at-filmfare-awards-2011-01-30-1.348781 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Dixit made a special appearance in the romantic [[comedy drama|comedy-drama]] ''[[Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani]]'' as Mohini, a callback to her character from the 1988 film ''Tezaab''. Dixti appeared in the item song "Ghagra" alongside [[Ranbir Kapoor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-the-mohini-returns-in-yeh-jawaani-hai-deewani/story-m67lHzO5EFN4uVfd5x19bJ.html |title=Madhuri Dixit, the Mohini returns in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani |last=Kaushal |first=Shweta |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527082504/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-the-mohini-returns-in-yeh-jawaani-hai-deewani/story-m67lHzO5EFN4uVfd5x19bJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, Dixit first starred in the black comedy ''[[Dedh Ishqiya]]'', a sequel to the 2010 film ''[[Ishqiya]]'' She played a con-woman, Begum Para,  opposite [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Arshad Warsi]] and [[Huma Qureshi]] and expressed that she agreed to do the film because of the "unapologetic way" director [[Abhishek Chaubey]] presented [[Vidya Balan]]'s character in ''Ishqiya''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-enjoyed-playing-begum-para-in-dedh-ishqiya/ |title=Madhuri Dixit: Enjoyed playing Begum Para in 'Dedh Ishqiya' |work=The Indian Express |date=9 January 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222161206/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-enjoyed-playing-begum-para-in-dedh-ishqiya/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film opened to positive response from critics who called it "one of the year's most important releases".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/why-masala-film-dedh-ishqiya-is-one-of-the-years-most-important-releases-1336909.html |title=Why masala film Dedh Ishqiya is one of the year's most important releases |last=Pal |first=Deepanjana |work=Firstpost |date=14 January 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924035007/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/why-masala-film-dedh-ishqiya-is-one-of-the-years-most-important-releases-1336909.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chhabra |first=Aseem |title=Why Dedh Ishqiya is an important film |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/column/why-dedh-ishqiya-is-an-important-film/20140114.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=22 May 2015 |date=15 January 2014 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213658/http://www.rediff.com/movies/column/why-dedh-ishqiya-is-an-important-film/20140114.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Anupama Chopra called Dixit "compelling", while Deepanjana Pal of Firstpost wrote "She's still capable of keeping an audience glued to their seats when the credits start rolling, all because she's dancing on screen.".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-many-things-to-enjoy-in-dedh-ishqiya-writes-anupama-chopra/story-QRicJrYAWCArn5Drh9o8MJ.html |title=Movie review: Many things to enjoy in Dedh Ishqiya, writes Anupama Chopra |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 January 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085258/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-many-things-to-enjoy-in-dedh-ishqiya-writes-anupama-chopra/story-QRicJrYAWCArn5Drh9o8MJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/dedh-ishqiya-review-naseer-madhuri-team-up-in-a-charming-film-1329849.html |title=Dedh Ishqiya review: Naseer, Madhuri team up in a charming film |last=Pal |first=Deepanjana |work=Firstpost |date=12 January 2014 |access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911180323/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/dedh-ishqiya-review-naseer-madhuri-team-up-in-a-charming-film-1329849.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film earned Dixit her fourteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations for the 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-60th-britannia-filmfare-awards-8237.html |work=Filmfare |date=19 January 2015 |access-date=15 April 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110120443/http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-60th-britannia-filmfare-awards-8237.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Dedh Ishqiya'' earned little at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/12-flops-2-hits-where-are-the-big-bollywood-hits-this-year/article1-1182759.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214070854/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/12-flops-2-hits-where-are-the-big-bollywood-hits-this-year/article1-1182759.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2014 |title=12 flops, 2 hits: where are the big Bollywood blockbusters? |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref>

Her next release of the year was debutant director [[Soumik Sen]]'s ''[[Gulaab Gang]]'', alongside [[Juhi Chawla]].<ref name="toi1" /> Dixit portrayed Rajjo, the leader of a women's activist group, inspired by the real vigilante activist [[Sampat Pal Devi]] and her group [[Gulabi Gang]]. Pal filed a case against the film claiming that the makers did not take permission to make a film on her life, but the court later lifted the stay from the film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/gulaabi-gang-leader-sampat-pal-files-case-against-madhuri-dixits-gulaab-gang/ |title=Gulaabi Gang leader Sampat Pal files case against Madhuri Dixit's 'Gulaab Gang' |work=The Indian Express |date=4 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032745/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/gulaabi-gang-leader-sampat-pal-files-case-against-madhuri-dixits-gulaab-gang/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-double-blow-for-gulabi-activist-sampat-film-stay-lifted-gang-ousts-her-1967347 |title=Double blow for Gulabi activist Sampat, film stay lifted, Gang ousts her |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222184603/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-double-blow-for-gulabi-activist-sampat-film-stay-lifted-gang-ousts-her-1967347 |url-status=live }}</ref> To prepare for her role, Dixit practised [[Shaolin Kung fu]], stick training, and [[close combat]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-here-is-how-madhuri-dixit-prepared-herself-for-gulaab-gang-4506251-PHO.html?seq=1&mpage=25 |title=Here is how Madhuri Dixit prepared herself for Gulaab Gang |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120116/http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-here-is-how-madhuri-dixit-prepared-herself-for-gulaab-gang-4506251-PHO.html?seq=1&mpage=25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Gulaab Gang'' failed at the box office, earning mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/gulaab-gang-flopped-and-can-t-lead-to-defamation-anymore-producers-tell-hc/story-aWGAO1nvV8c3M1ECPnpQyI.html |title=Gulaab Gang flopped and can't lead to defamation anymore, producers tell HC |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122025/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/gulaab-gang-flopped-and-can-t-lead-to-defamation-anymore-producers-tell-hc/story-aWGAO1nvV8c3M1ECPnpQyI.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/gulaab-gang-review-roundup-too-many-songs-spoil-the-film-542285 |title='Gulaab Gang' Review Roundup: Too Many Songs Spoil the Film |last=Mehta |first=Ankita |website=International Business Times |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124212/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/gulaab-gang-review-roundup-too-many-songs-spoil-the-film-542285 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subhash K. Jha labelled Dixit's performance and demeanour "inconsistent".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/gulaab-gang-chick-flick-social-conscience-173804919.html |title='Gulaab Gang': Chick Flick with a social conscience |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |publisher=Yahoo |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123614/https://in.news.yahoo.com/gulaab-gang-chick-flick-social-conscience-173804919.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Sampat Pal claimed that in Dixit's character she finds a "reflection of her own life so stark" that it makes her feel "it was she on screen".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/madhuri-dixits-acting-made-me-feel-i-was-on-screen-sampat-pal-637845 |last=Sharma |first=Gunjan |publisher=NDTV |date=9 March 2014 |access-date=20 December 2015 |title=Madhuri Dixit's acting made me feel I was on screen: Sampat Pal |archive-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915104733/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/madhuri-dixits-acting-made-me-feel-i-was-on-screen-sampat-pal-637845 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a box-office failure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2201 |title=Gulaab Gang – Movie – Worldwide Gross & Budget |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617061054/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2201 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Four years later, Dixit made her debut in [[Marathi Cinema]] with the comedy drama ''[[Bucket List (2018 film)|Bucket List]]''. She played Madhura Sane, a middle aged housewife who takes the initiative to complete the bucket list of her deceased teenage heart donor. Dixit garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal; Mihir Bhanage of ''[[The Times of India]]''
wrote "Madhuri owns the film and sails through it with flying colours."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movie-reviews/bucket-list/movie-review/64318151.cms |title=Bucket List Movie Review |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-date=25 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525144924/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movie-reviews/bucket-list/movie-review/64318151.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Kunal Guha of ''[[Mumbai Mirror]]'' said, "Madhuri Dixit long-overdue debut in Marathi cinema is a comfort watch even if a tad predictable and sappy."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/bucket-list-movie-review-madhuri-dixits-long-overdue-debut-in-marathi-cinema-is-a-comfort-watch/articleshow/64306888.cms |title=Bucket List movie review |newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628154232/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/bucket-list-movie-review-madhuri-dixits-long-overdue-debut-in-marathi-cinema-is-a-comfort-watch/articleshow/64306888.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dixit reunited with Anil Kapoor and [[Ajay Devgn]] in Indra Kumar's adventure comedy ''[[Total Dhamaal]]'' (2019). She portrayed Bindu Patel, who along with a group of people learns about a hidden treasure and then races to claim it. The film received mixed to negative reviews, however, Dixit's performance received a mixed-to-positive reception. Lakshana N Palat of ''[[India Today]]'' wrote: "The little respite in this adventure-comedy is the pairing of Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, who prove that they still have the same impeccable chemistry and partnership almost two decades later."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/total-dhamaal-movie-review-even-anil-kapoor-and-madhuri-dixit-find-it-hard-to-save-this-comedy-1462299-2019-02-22 |title=Total Dhamaal Movie Review: Even Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit find it hard to save this comedy |work=India Today |date=22 February 2019 |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=23 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223040344/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/reviews/story/total-dhamaal-movie-review-even-anil-kapoor-and-madhuri-dixit-find-it-hard-to-save-this-comedy-1462299-2019-02-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Total Dhamaal'' emerged as a major commercial success at the box office, grossing more than {{INRConvert|200|c}} worldwide, and ranks as the [[List of highest-grossing Bollywood films|ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref name="wwgross">{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/2019/ |title=Bollywood Top Grossers Worldwide Bollywood Hungama |access-date=25 February 2019 |website=Bollywood Hungama |archive-date=18 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118064625/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dixit produced the Marathi [[Netflix]] drama ''[[15 August (2019 film)|15 August]]'' under her production company RnM Moving Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/15-august-movie-review-madhuri-dixit-produced-netflix-film-could-do-with-more-spark-2-stars-out-of-5-2014051 |title=15 August Movie Review: Madhuri Dixit-Produced Netflix Film Could Do With More Spark |website=NDTV.com |access-date=29 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328072643/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/15-august-movie-review-madhuri-dixit-produced-netflix-film-could-do-with-more-spark-2-stars-out-of-5-2014051 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-kicks-off-first-marathi-production-15th-august/ |title=Madhuri Dixit kicks off her first Marathi production 15th August |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309172342/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/madhuri-dixit-kicks-off-first-marathi-production-15th-august/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with [[Scroll.in]], Dixit said, "The film is about the freedom to love, the freedom to choose your career and the freedom to die".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/917948/back-to-my-roots-madhuri-dixit-on-producing-marathi-film-15-august |title='Back to my roots': Madhuri Dixit on producing Marathi film '15 August' |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |last=Raman |website=Scroll.in |date=29 March 2019 |access-date=1 April 2019 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401193045/https://scroll.in/reel/917948/back-to-my-roots-madhuri-dixit-on-producing-marathi-film-15-august |url-status=live }}</ref>

She next starred in [[Abhishek Varman]]'s [[Historical drama|period]] [[Romantic film|romantic drama]] ''[[Kalank]]'', featuring an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Sonakshi Sinha]], [[Alia Bhatt]], [[Varun Dhawan]], [[Aditya Roy Kapur]] and Sanjay Dutt.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kalank-get-ready-for-an-epic-drama-starring-alia-bhatt-varun-dhawan-madhuri-dixit-sanjay-dutt-and-more-1721519.html |title=Kalank: Madhuri-Sanjay To Reunite On Screen Along With Alia, Varun, Sonakshi and Aditya |website=[[News18]] |date=18 April 2018 |access-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418070422/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kalank-get-ready-for-an-epic-drama-starring-alia-bhatt-varun-dhawan-madhuri-dixit-sanjay-dutt-and-more-1721519.html |archive-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> Set in the 1940s prior to the [[partition of India]], the film featured her as Bahaar Begum, the madam of a brothel. Saibal Chatterjee of ''[[NDTV]]'' wrote, "In the blinding glow of Dixit's presence as a nautch girl who can turn on the magic at will, the younger cast members pale somewhat in comparison. She lights up the screen as only she can, pushing the others to strive harder."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kalank-movie-review-stunning-alia-bhatt-and-luminous-madhuri-dixit-make-film-near-spotless-3-out-of-2024332 |title=Kalank Movie Review: Stunning Alia Bhatt And Luminous Madhuri Dixit Make Film Near-Spotless |publisher=NDTV |date=18 April 2019 |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417074610/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kalank-movie-review-stunning-alia-bhatt-and-luminous-madhuri-dixit-make-film-near-spotless-3-out-of-2024332 |url-status=live }}</ref> It did not perform well at the box office; however, she earned a third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornelious |first=Deborah |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/karan-johars-period-opus-flops/article26935113.ece |title=Karan Johar's period opus flops |date=24 April 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=3 February 2020 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822113837/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/karan-johars-period-opus-flops/article26935113.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations |title=Nominations for Filmfare Awards 2020 |work=Filmfare |access-date=3 February 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203105210/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2020s===
{{needs expansion|date=January 2025}}
Dixit was the lead actress in the 2022 Netflix series ''[[The Fame Game (TV series)|The Fame Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arora |first1=Priya |title=For Madhuri Dixit, 'The Fame Game' Feels Familiar, if Not the Medium |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/arts/television/madhuri-dixit-the-fame-game.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 May 2022 |date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508193021/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/arts/television/madhuri-dixit-the-fame-game.html |url-status=live }}</ref>