Veteran filmmaker and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani has opened up about Madhuri Dixit’s early career struggles and how her decisions, influenced by her then-manager Rikku Rakesh Nath, cost her some major opportunities. In a recent interview, Nihalani claimed that Madhuri rejected multiple films he offered, one of which eventually launched Govinda’s career.
Nihalani recalled that he had initially signed Madhuri opposite Govinda for what was meant to be his debut. However, her manager advised her against working with a newcomer, leading her to turn down the project. The producer then replaced her with Neelam Kothari. While Nihalani did not name the film directly, he hinted it was Ilzaam (1986), which became a box-office success and marked Govinda’s big break.
The producer further revealed that he continued to face refusals from Madhuri when he offered her films like Aag Hi Aag and Paap Ki Duniya. Frustrated, he cast Neelam again, and both films turned out to be hits. At the same time, Madhuri’s projects were either shelved or flopped at the box office. Nihalani admitted he even criticized her publicly for repeatedly turning him down.
Things shifted when Rikku requested that Madhuri at least be part of a mahurat, even if no film followed. Nihalani eventually included her in a mahurat with Anil Kapoor and Chunky Panday, which led to Tezaab, the film that catapulted Madhuri to stardom. Interestingly, Madhuri and Govinda later went on to work together in several films, including Sahibaan and Izzatdaar.