After 2011, actress Madhoo seemingly disappeared from Bollywood, though gaps between her Hindi films had been noticeable since 1999. While she continued working in South Indian cinema, her absence from Hindi films left many wondering why she chose to step away, especially when she had offers from some of the industry’s biggest names, including Amitabh Bachchan. Now, Madhoo has finally opened up about her decision to distance herself from Bollywood and what led her to take that step.
In a recent conversation with Lehren Retro, Madhoo candidly shared that her decision to say from Bollywood stemmed from a growing sense of dissatisfaction. “By 1997, I had started feeling discontent. I wasn’t excited about my work anymore. After working with authentic, passionate directors in the South, it felt odd to return to projects that lacked that sincerity. I began sulking before going to sets. The thing I had once desired most — being on a film set — started to irritate me,” she admitted.
It was during this emotionally turbulent time that Madhoo met her future husband, Anand Shah. She described the timing as serendipitous. “I call myself destiny’s child. What people today refer to as manifestation, I experienced back then. Every time I’ve strongly felt something, it has come true for me. Just when I realized I didn’t want to continue with films, love entered my life. I got married, and I walked away from acting completely.”
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Interestingly, just before her wedding, Madhoo received an offer to star in a film opposite Amitabh Bachchan (a career-defining moment for any actor). However, she chose not to take it up. “It was a big film with Mr. Bachchan, the one that eventually went to Soundarya. My wedding date was fixed, and I told my secretary I didn’t want to do it. He asked me to reconsider, but I was firm.”
The film in question was Sooryavansham, which released in 1999 and starred Amitabh alongside Soundarya. That same year, Madhoo married Anand Shah. The couple has two children and continues to maintain a low profile.
