Madhoo: 'Diljale' role won her husband Anand Shah in 1999
Synopsis
Madhoo says her role as a terrorist in 'Diljale' is what made her husband Anand Shah fall for her — he saw the film in Singapore and was instantly captivated. The actress also turns the clock back on 'Phool Aur Kaante', calling out its romanticisation of eve-teasing with refreshing candour.
Key Takeaways
Madhoo revealed that her performance in 'Diljale' (1995) directly led to her marriage with Anand Shah .
Anand Shah reportedly saw the film in Singapore and was immediately drawn to her, leading to their wedding on 19 February 1999 .
The couple has two daughters — Amaya and Keia .
Anand Shah is the cousin of businessman Jay Mehta , husband of actress Juhi Chawla .
Madhoo also criticised 'Phool Aur Kaante' for glorifying eve-teasing, noting such behaviour 'would not be accepted' today. 'Diljale' was directed by Harry Baweja and starred Ajay Devgn , Sonali Bendre , and Amrish Puri .
Veteran actress Madhoo has revealed a charming personal anecdote — her performance in the 1995 film 'Diljale' is what ultimately led to her marriage. The actress, best known for her breakout role in 'Roja', said her future husband was so captivated by her on screen that it set the course for their relationship.
The Story Behind the Romance
'That's the role that won me my husband,' Madhoo said. 'My husband saw this film in Singapore, I believe, and he felt, "Who is this girl. She is amazing". The next thing I know, I am married to this man.'
Madhoo married Anand Shah on 19 February 1999. The couple has two daughters — Amaya and Keia. Notably, Anand Shah is the cousin of businessman Jay Mehta, who is married to Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla.
About 'Diljale' and Her Role
Directed by Harry Baweja, 'Diljale' featured Ajay Devgn, Madhoo, and Sonali Bendre in lead roles, with Parmeet Sethi, Shakti Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, and Amrish Puri in supporting parts. Madhoo played Shabnam, a terrorist — a role far removed from the girl-next-door parts she was often associated with.
Revisiting 'Phool Aur Kaante' Through a Modern Lens
Madhoo also reflected on her Bollywood debut, 'Phool Aur Kaante', which also starred Ajay Devgn. While the film was a commercial success at the time, she acknowledged that its portrayal of romance has aged poorly.
'In Phool Aur Kaante, the first two songs are only eve-teasing. The boys are chasing on a college campus and whistling, and I am looking at it as romance, and we all looked at it as romance. I fall in love with the boy who is teasing me and harassing me. Today, you will call that and put him behind bars. If a boy chased you today in college and campus and did all this, it would not be accepted,' she said.
A Career That Spanned Milestones
Madhoo's candid reflections offer a rare window into how Bollywood's storytelling norms have shifted over three decades. Her willingness to critique her own earlier films — even beloved ones — reflects a broader industry reckoning with how gender dynamics were romanticised on screen. The actress remains a respected voice from the golden era of 1990s Hindi cinema.
Point of View
But her comments on 'Phool Aur Kaante' carry more weight. That a mainstream actress is willing to publicly label her own debut film's central romance as harassment is a meaningful moment — one that mainstream entertainment coverage tends to gloss over in favour of the softer love-story angle. The 1990s Bollywood template of the persistent hero winning over the reluctant heroine shaped a generation's ideas about courtship. Madhoo naming it plainly, without being prompted, is the more consequential part of this interview.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Madhoo's role in 'Diljale' lead to her marriage?
Madhoo's husband, Anand Shah, reportedly saw 'Diljale' in Singapore and was so impressed by her performance that it sparked his interest in her. The two eventually married on 19 February 1999.
Who is Madhoo's husband Anand Shah?
Anand Shah is a businessman and the cousin of Jay Mehta, who is married to Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla. Madhoo and Anand Shah have two daughters, Amaya and Keia.
What was Madhoo's role in 'Diljale'?
Madhoo played Shabnam, a terrorist, in 'Diljale' (1995), directed by Harry Baweja. The film also starred Ajay Devgn, Sonali Bendre, and Amrish Puri.
What did Madhoo say about 'Phool Aur Kaante' and eve-teasing?
Madhoo said the film's early songs depicted eve-teasing that was then viewed as romance, but would today be considered harassment. She noted that if a boy behaved that way on a college campus now, 'it would not be accepted.'
Which films did Madhoo and Ajay Devgn do together?
Madhoo and Ajay Devgn appeared together in both 'Phool Aur Kaante' (Madhoo's Bollywood debut) and 'Diljale' (1995), making them a notable on-screen pairing of early 1990s Hindi cinema.
