Madhuri Dixit Says Husband Dr Nene Didn’t Know How Big A Star She Was: ‘It Was A Shock’

Madhuri Dixit Nene may have spent most of her life being recognised everywhere she goes, but the actor recently opened up about a rare phase when she experienced anonymity after moving to the United States with her husband, Dr Shriram Nene.

The actor visited HT City’s office along with her Maa Behen co-stars Triptii Dimri and Dhaarna Durga, and director Suresh Triveni, where they met the winners of the HT City Stars In The City contest. During the interaction, Madhuri recalled her life in Denver after her marriage in 1999 and how she enjoyed living away from constant public attention.

Madhuri Dixit Recalls Living As ‘Mrs Nene’ In Denver

Speaking to Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Entertainment and Lifestyle, Madhuri shared that life in Denver

felt calmer because there were fewer Indians in the area where she lived.

She said, “In Denver, it was smooth and nicer because there were less Indians there. Where I lived, mostly there were Americans. For a long time, they didn’t know who I was, I was Mrs Nene there. I had my kids, Arin and Ryan, I would go to school to drop them.”

However, there was one incident when her neighbours became concerned after noticing a car repeatedly stopping outside her house.

Madhuri recalled, “One day, I saw a car would come and stop at our house, then take a round and come back. My neighbours called me… vahaan darr laga rehta hai that someone could be trying to rob us, so people are careful. The neighbour asked, ‘Should I call the cops?’ I said, ‘Please don’t!’ I had to tell them I am a celebrity, and that the people in the car were trying to get a glimpse of me.”

Madhuri Calls Her US Life ‘Liberating’

Madhuri described that period away from the limelight as deeply freeing. She said she enjoyed being able to live like an ordinary person and spend uninterrupted time with her children.

Calling the phase “liberating,” she said, “I was free to do anything at any time. I enjoyed so much of ‘me time’ with my kids. It was a big part of my dream in life… that I have a husband who I love, with kids. I was living my dream there.”

Madhuri On Husband Shriram Nene Discovering Her Stardom

Madhuri also revealed that her husband had not fully understood the extent of her fame in India when they got married. The couple returned to India in 2011, and over time, Dr Nene became more familiar with the film industry.

She shared, “We have been here in India since 2011. He’s more friends with the people of the industry than I am now! He’s even said in interviews, ‘I knew she is an actor, I didn’t know how big an actor she is!’ When he came here initially, it was a shock.”

Madhuri added that life feels settled now, with her children growing up and her return to work continuing with new projects.

She said, “It’s all good today, our kids are growing up, I have enjoyed playing the character of Rekha in Maa Behen. I am in a good place.”