Editing Madhuri Dixit (section)

=== 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" />