Sometime ago, when Madhuri Dixit was being talked about as one of the possible hosts for the Zee game show Sawaal Dus Crore Ka, many said that she backed out because she was pregnant. For several years before she finally married Mr Nene, magazines frequently stated that she was getting tying the knot with some NRI or other.

All of that was fiction. But what we know with relatively less uncertainty is that Madhuri is indeed expecting a child. The lady is said to be two months pregnant, which means that she should be having her first child in the first half of 2003. Sources within the industry are willing to vouch for this one, and we will buy that as well because, well, she has been married for a while now. What happens to her filmi career? There is not much more left to achieve as far as attaining popularity among the masses is concerned. She has seen the top, rubbed shoulders with and also outlasted the best. It is time for her to take it easy, and choose the right roles so that she is remembered for a lot more than her jhatkas on the big screen. No matter how much she might have achieved, it cannot be denied that her potential remains largely unexplored even now.

After she has her first child, perhaps she can be a lot more selective about her roles so that she can pick up a couple of national awards before she finally retires. After all, if a Raveena Tandon can do it, Madhuri should be able to acquire that distinction with a lot more ease.For the time being, however, she is all set to become a mum. Best of luck to the lady who is ready to say Ek...."