MUMBAI:

Madhuri Dixit, Bollywood’s original dhak-dhak girl, is getting the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian cinema.

She will be coming to receive it on May 10 from Florida with husband Dr Sriram Nene in tow. May 15 is Madhuri’s birthday and she is delighted with this double celebration.

She said excitedly, “Everyone works hard and to be acknowledged for it is a huge thing. I am honoured. As a young girl, I thought the Padma Shri was accorded only to scientists. Awards are important, but I never aspired for any, I just put my best foot forward.”

Madhuri’s comeback film Aaja Nachle, bombed at the box office, but that did nothing to dent her image in Bollywood. In fact MF Husain, her greatest admirer, while expressing disappointment over the film blamed its failure on filmmaker Yash Chopra. Madhuri defended the film, “Husain saab must have expected more from it, but I don’t believe in blame games.” — Agencies