Priya Berde salutes Madhuri Dixit's dignity and grace in Bollywood
Synopsis
On 'Kon Honar Crorepati', actress Priya Berde delivered a moving salute to host Madhuri Dixit, celebrating her as a Marathi icon who conquered Bollywood without compromising her dignity — while a three-way 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' reunion brought 1994 flooding back.
Key Takeaways
Priya Berde praised Madhuri Dixit on 21 October 2026 on the reality show 'Kon Honar Crorepati' .
Berde called Madhuri a source of pride for the Marathi community , saluting her grace and dignity in Bollywood.
The episode featured a special reunion of Priya Berde and Renuka Shahane , co-stars from the 1994 blockbuster 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' .
The film, directed by Sooraj Barjatya , starred Madhuri as Nisha , Salman Khan as Prem , Renuka as Pooja , and Priya as Chameli .
Madhuri also displayed mimicry skills on the show, imitating Bugs Bunny and legendary actress Hema Malini .
Actress Priya Berde heaped praise on Madhuri Dixit on 21 October 2026, lauding the veteran star for carrying herself with grace and preserving her dignity throughout a storied career in the Hindi film industry. Berde, a proud Marathi herself, said she feels a deep sense of pride watching a fellow Marathi girl conquer Bollywood at the highest level.
The Reunion That Sparked the Tribute
The heartfelt exchange unfolded on the reality quiz show 'Kon Honar Crorepati', hosted by Madhuri Dixit herself, during a special episode that brought together Priya Berde and her 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' co-star Renuka Shahane for a reunion nearly three decades in the making. The episode doubled as a nostalgic trip back to the iconic 1994 blockbuster directed by Sooraj Barjatya, in which Madhuri played Nisha, Salman Khan played Prem, Renuka played Pooja, and Priya played Chameli.
What Priya Berde Said
Speaking directly to Madhuri on the show, Priya said: 'I am a huge fan of yours. Your dancing, your looks, your presence in films, I love it all. Above all, I feel proud that a Marathi girl has made such a big name for herself in the Hindi film industry. That is no easy feat. Behind it are your hard work and all the struggles you have faced. And through it all, you have carried yourself with such grace and preserved your dignity so beautifully. Madhuri, I salute you!'
The tribute underscored a sentiment that resonates widely in Maharashtra — that Madhuri Dixit's rise to the top of Bollywood is as much a cultural milestone for Marathi identity as it is a personal achievement.
Madhuri's Playful Side on Display
The episode was not all sentimentality. Madhuri also showcased her mimicry skills, enacting the animated Bugs Bunny character and imitating the iconic style of legendary actress Hema Malini — specifically her quintessential delivery of the word 'Nahi' — delighting the studio audience and her guests alike.
Legacy of 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun'
The 1994 film remains one of Indian cinema's most commercially successful family entertainers. Its reunion on national television, even in a quiz-show format, speaks to the enduring cultural footprint the film holds for Indian audiences. Notably, this is the latest in a string of nostalgic Bollywood reunions that have found renewed traction on reality television platforms. With 'Kon Honar Crorepati' giving Madhuri a prominent hosting platform, the show has steadily become a vehicle for celebrating Hindi and Marathi cinema's shared heritage.
Point of View
And the 'dignity' framing implicitly acknowledges the pressures that come with it. The 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' reunion, staged on a quiz show rather than a film set, also highlights how nostalgia has become one of Indian television's most reliable content engines. What this episode really underscores is that Madhuri Dixit's cultural capital — spanning Hindi cinema, Marathi identity, and mainstream television — remains as potent in 2026 as it was in 1994.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Priya Berde praise Madhuri Dixit on 'Kon Honar Crorepati'?
Priya Berde appeared as a guest on 'Kon Honar Crorepati', hosted by Madhuri Dixit, and used the occasion to express her admiration for Madhuri's grace, dancing, and the dignity with which she has carried herself throughout her Bollywood career. Berde also said she feels proud that a Marathi girl has achieved such success in the Hindi film industry.
What is 'Kon Honar Crorepati' and who hosts it?
'Kon Honar Crorepati' is a Marathi-language reality quiz show hosted by actress Madhuri Dixit. The show has become a platform for celebrating Marathi and Hindi cinema, often featuring notable film personalities as guests.
Which film connects Madhuri Dixit, Priya Berde, and Renuka Shahane?
All three actresses appeared in the 1994 Hindi blockbuster 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun', directed by Sooraj Barjatya. Madhuri played Nisha, Renuka Shahane played Pooja, and Priya Berde played Chameli.
What mimicry did Madhuri Dixit perform on the show?
Madhuri Dixit entertained her guests by imitating the animated character Bugs Bunny and mimicking legendary actress Hema Malini's iconic style of saying 'Nahi', drawing laughter from the studio audience.
Why is Madhuri Dixit considered a Marathi icon in Bollywood?
Madhuri Dixit, who hails from a Marathi background, rose to become one of Bollywood's biggest stars largely on the strength of her dancing, screen presence, and decades-long career. Actresses like Priya Berde regard her success in the predominantly Hindi film industry as a point of pride for the Marathi community.
