Filmmakers keen to cast Madhuri to counter Sridevi's comeback

Now that Sridevi has begun shooting for her comeback movie English Vinglish, some filmmakers have been trying to woo Madhuri Dixit for their projects as well. They are keen to have a Mads film lined up for release around the same time as Sri's!

They want to rekindle the old rivalry between the two stars. Sridevi was the undisputed queen of B-Town in the '80s until Madhuri Dixit did a Ek Do Teen in Tezaab to topple her from her position.

Mads is currently back home in the US after finishing her television outing Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

The race begins

Says a source, "Some filmmakers are keen to rope Madhuri for their projects. They are exploring the option casting her and then pitting her against Sri. Considering that both the stars have a huge fan following, it would be interesting to watch the audience's reaction and eagerness to see who outdoes who all over again."

Recently, there was a controversy about Madhuri's inclusion in the Satte Pe Satte remake. According to buzz, the producers (Ashtavinayak) and director Soham Shah went ahead and announced that she would be essaying Hema Malini's role.

But co-producer Sanjay Dutt, who was to be cast opposite her, felt he had not been consulted and appeared miffed by the happenings.

Not for now

Adds the source, "Satte Pe Satta has now been pushed to next year because Dutt is busy with Agneepath.

As he will be sporting a bald look, it will take him a while before he grows it back. It is also not clear that Madhuri will be a part of Satte Pe Satta. So other filmmakers are showing interest."

Says Madhuri's spokesperson, "Yes, some filmmakers are interested. But we wouldn't like to comment on Satte Pe Satta."

In the past

The rivalry between Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit dates back to the '80s. At a time when Sridevi was firmly on the top of Indian cinema's female fatales with Mr India (1987) hitting BO highs, in came Madhuri Dixit.

And then began a tough competition between the two. Mads won the Best Actress for Beta in 1992. Sri rendered the biggest flop of her career Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. She lost her No 1 status. And, then began the rat race...

While Mads delivered super hit films like Dil, Tezaab, Khalnaayak, Sri churned average hits like Chandni and Lamhe.

However, in 1994, with the release of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, it became clear that Madhuri had superceded Sri, who then went out of focus and disappeared with her last hit in 1997, Judai.

Mads continued to reign for a while until Karisma Kapoor subjugated her throne with Raja Hindustani. After her last hit Dil Toh Pagal Hai in 1997 and Devdas in 2002, she stayed away from B-Town due to marriage and later motherhood.

However, Sri and Mads never let the rivalry affect personal life and public appearances. There was never any bad-mouthing. But the currents of their competition always made headlines, like they are doing now!