Madhuri Dixit and Aamir Khan’s 1990 blockbuster Dil remains one of the most iconic romantic dramas of its time. However, despite its massive success, the film stirred multiple controversies, including fan outrage over Madhuri and Aamir’s on-screen kiss and criticism over a sensitive rape accusation scene.
In the book Mother Maiden Mistress: Women in Hindi Cinema 1950-2010, Madhuri reflected on the backlash she faced. “Dil was about following the heart. In the film, Aamir and I have our share of disagreements, fall in love, and get married despite parental opposition. It had great music, a dramatic story, and evoked multiple controversies. My fans were outraged by the kiss scene, and critics objected to offensive lyrics like ‘Khambhe jaisi khadi hai, ladki hai ya chadi hai,’” she recalled.
The controversies didn’t stop there. Hindu religious groups objected to a scene where Aamir and Madhuri walked around the sacred fire wearing shoes, while activists protested against a storyline involving a false rape accusation.
“Dil is probably the first film where the heroine accuses the hero of rape. Usually, such tricks are attributed to negative characters, but here, the hero teaches her how wrong it is to make a false allegation pertaining to something as serious as rape,” she shared.
Despite the uproar, Dil became a superhit and marked the beginning of Madhuri’s long-standing association with the banner. Following its success, she and Aamir teamed up again for Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin, a film they were both excited about but which failed at the box office.
“Producer Ajit Parshotam offered Aamir and me Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin, a remake of a superhit English film. We both loved the concept and agreed instantly. Aamir plays an overconfident photographer in the agency where I work as a model. He assumes I’m in love with him, and I’m outraged by his audacity,” she recalled.
However, the film did not meet expectations. “While shooting this film directed by Nageshwara Rao, we thought we had an ace up our sleeve, but the film sank without a trace. It was my first lesson as an actor that one can never predict the mood of the audience till the film is released,” she added.
