Madhuri Dixit on being judged for appearance and the pressures women face: 'There is sexism and ageism everywhere'

After spending over four decades in the entertainment industry, Madhuri Dixit has witnessed the changing nature of fame firsthand. While success and admiration come with the profession, the actor believes women continue to face unnecessary scrutiny over their appearance, age, and personal choices. Ahead of the release of her upcoming film 'Maa Behen', Madhuri reflected on how comments about physical appearance remain deeply ingrained in society.

According to her, people are often quick to judge others based on how they look rather than appreciating their accomplishments and individuality. Talking to Mid-Day she shared, "There is sexism and ageism everywhere. Even when you meet people after a long time, they make personal comments like, ‘You have become so fat. Your hair has become so grey.’ But one cannot forget the contribution of the person, and what they have done in the past. You don’t know what’s happening in their lives or maybe they are happy the way they are."



The actor stressed the importance of accepting people without reducing them to their age, weight, or looks. Madhuri noted that society often overlooks a person's achievements and experiences while focusing on superficial aspects. Sharing her perspective, she said, "Accept people the way they are; remember what she represents rather than commenting on her size or age."

Her comments highlight a larger conversation around ageism and sexism, particularly in industries where women are frequently expected to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

Madhuri Dixit on choosing work

Rather than paying attention to unsolicited opinions, Madhuri is concentrating on projects that excite her creatively. The actor revealed that she was eager to return to comedy after a string of emotionally intense and dramatic roles. Speaking about 'Maa Behen', she said, "I had not done comedy in some time. The past few offerings were more dramatic, whether it’s 'Mrs Deshpande' [2025], 'Maja Ma' [2022], or 'The Fame Game' [2022]. I thought this is the right time for comedy."

The upcoming film, directed by Suresh Triveni, marks a refreshing change of pace in her career and allows her to showcase a different side of her craft.

Madhuri Dixit's support for the next generation

The Netflix project also stars content creator Dharna Durga. Madhuri recalled how nervous Dharna was when they first met during the workshop sessions. "When I met her the first time, she said, ‘Mujhse nahin hoga,’ with tears in her eyes. I told her to not cry and said, ‘I am also an actor, here to create some magic on the set. Let’s work together.’"

By focusing on meaningful work, collaboration, and storytelling, Madhuri continues to prove that longevity in the industry is built on talent and passion, not on meeting society's expectations about age or appearance.