In an exclusive interview to Filmfare, the reticent Shriram Nene talks about why he’s mad about Madhuri Dixit and how they retain a sense of fun in their marriage.
How has marriage to Madhuri changed you?
Marriage changes all of us to some degree, no matter what people say. Some of the changes are common to all marriages like your schedules and time with family, etc. It’s great to have a life partner you can depend on. At the same time, you now have to look out for the family unit. In our case, the issue of her being a celebrity makes some things difficult or impossible. This is more the case in India than in the US. However, it hasn’t really changed my identity or personality.
How much of your personality has rubbed off on Madhuri?
She once said that she has become more articulate after marriage. She has always been grounded. I am the dreamer and adventurer. It ends up being a great combination. We teach each other many things about life. I am compulsive and driven, which certainly helped my career. She is fairly easygoing, which helps hers. She has taught me patience and I have taught her organisation.
What were your links to the movies before you married Madhuri? How did she make you a movie buff?
I had no links to Hindi cinema as we grew up in the US and I had not learned to speak Hindi. I am now learning Hindi and starting to appreciate the genre. MD is so humble that she finds it strange to watch her own films with anyone. Therefore, I have not seen a lot of her films.
How was she before marriage? What’s your idea of a romantic date with her?
She was down-to-earth and low key. I grew up in LA and so I had friends in the entertainment field. Not everyone in the industry is so humble. Meeting Madhuri was refreshing as she didn’t have any airs about her. A romantic date is about the person you are with and how you treat each other. I would say that we could be anywhere and enjoy each other’s company.
Who does the sulking? And who does the making up?
Honestly, we don’t fight much. We respect each other’s opinions so things rarely escalate. I believe all smart husbands will sheepishly admit that you have to know when to say, ‘yes honey’. Part of a successful relationship is knowing when to give and take.
Do you help her with cooking?
I had learned to cook in college and continue to enjoy it. My love for cooking rubbed off on her. In our house in Denver, we built a gourmet’s kitchen with all the accessories. We also had great books and learned from various chefs. Though she did not cook prior to marriage, Madhuri was a natural and quickly learned how to create just about anything. Her kung pao chicken, Thai curry and dosas are outstanding. In India, you have such great cooks that you rarely have the opportunity to cook. However, we still go through things together once in a while for fun.
Were your other Indian doctor friends star struck considering you had an iconic movie star as a wife?
Sure, there were some. But most people after meeting her realised how down-to-earth she is and how much we appreciate not being treated differently.
