'She's too thin': Meet the singer who supposedly turned down marriage proposal from Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit, who later became one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1990s, didn’t begin her cinematic journey with instant success. According to veteran actor Raza Murad, her early days in the film industry were marked by a series of underwhelming performances at the box office. Projects like Abodh and Awara Baap failed to gain traction, and her talent remained unnoticed. As the chances of her achieving stardom seemed dim, her parents reportedly began exploring marriage proposals, believing her film career had hit a dead end.

"She was doing insignificant films like Abodh and Awara Baap. Nobody cared for her; nobody noticed her. Her parents decided to get her married because her career was at rock bottom," Murad told Filmy Charcha.

A Rejected Proposal That Changed Her Life

In his conversation with Filmy Charcha, Raza Murad recounted how her family approached a well-known playback singer as a potential groom. However, the singer declined the alliance, reportedly finding her physical frame too slender. This rejection, rather than becoming a setback, ironically set the stage for an unexpected breakthrough in her professional journey.

"They approached a playback singer and arranged a meeting between them. He looked at her and said, ‘She’s too thin,

Tezaab Turns the Tide

Not long after, Madhuri landed a pivotal role in the action film Tezaab (1988), which catapulted her into the public eye. Her performance was widely appreciated, and she began to shed the image of a struggling actress. The film's success was a turning point that reshaped her future in the industry.

Subhash Ghai's Timely Intervention

During a shoot in Kashmir alongside superstar Rajesh Khanna, Madhuri's fate took another dramatic turn. Renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai happened to be filming nearby. As Raza Murad shared, it was Madhuri’s hairdresser who introduced her to Ghai, who was reportedly captivated by her charisma and potential. He requested a meeting in Mumbai and eventually cast her in the film Ram Lakhan, which went on to be a commercial hit. Ghai’s decision to launch her under his banner proved pivotal in cementing her position as a bankable star.

Suresh Wadkar’s Indirect Confirmation

In a 2023 episode of the singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, singer Suresh Wadkar seemed to hint that he was the man who had declined the marriage proposal from Madhuri’s family years ago. When host Aditya Narayan hinted at an old rumour about a famous actress being rejected for marriage by a singer, Wadkar responded with a shy smile and glanced at his wife, Padma, seated beside him. While he didn’t confirm it outright, his playful response led judges Anu Malik and Himesh Reshammiya to conclude the story had some truth.

A Life Beyond the Spotlight

In 1999, Madhuri married Dr. Sriram Nene, a US-based heart surgeon, and shifted her base to Denver, Colorado. She stepped back from films to focus on her family, raising two sons who are now college students. Years later, she made a return to Indian entertainment, now often appearing as a judge on music and dance reality shows. Suresh Wadkar jokingly acknowledged that his old comments might catch up with him one day, especially given Madhuri’s recurring presence on national television.

Who Is Suresh Wadkar?

Suresh Ishwar Wadkar, born on 7 August 1955, is a renowned Indian playback vocalist known for his contributions to both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Alongside mainstream film music, he has also lent his voice to Bhojpuri and Konkani films, as well as Odia devotional albums and bhajans.

In recognition of his remarkable work in the genre of Sugam Sangeet (light classical music), Wadkar received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2018. Further honouring his artistic excellence, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Shri in 2020.