Ashok Saraf Recalls 16-Year-Old Madhuri Dixit Preparing for Class 12 Exams During Her Film Debut

MUMBAI— Veteran actor Ashok Saraf has recalled working with Madhuri Dixit during the early days of her film career, revealing that the actress was just 16 years old and preparing for her Class 12 board examinations when they worked together on her debut film, Abodh.

Saraf shared the memory during his appearance on the quiz show Kon Honar Crorepati, where he joined Sankarshan Karhade to celebrate their film Aadi Anant.

The conversation brought back memories of Abodh, which marked Madhuri’s Bollywood debut in 1984. Saraf recalled meeting the actress during the film’s production, when she was still completing her schooling.

Madhuri also remembered the challenge of balancing her first film assignment with her studies. “I had my Class 12 exams then. That’s why our shoot was postponed to May,” she said.

The reunion also produced a light-hearted exchange over Saraf’s formal way of addressing the actress. He was seen calling her “Madam”, prompting Madhuri to ask him to drop the formality.

“But why are you calling me ‘Madam’? Call me Madhuri,” she said.

Saraf explained that he was addressing her formally because she was sitting in the host’s chair on the show. He added that he would speak to her more casually if they met outside the programme.

Madhuri, meanwhile, recalled that after Abodh, she next remembered meeting Saraf during the making of Koyla, the 1997 film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit.

Released in 1984, Abodh introduced Madhuri to the film industry. She went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses, with a career spanning several decades.

The exchange offered a glimpse into the early years of her journey in cinema, when she was balancing school examinations with the demands of her first film. (Source: IANS)