Madhuri Dixit on Sridevi vs Juhi Chawla: 'Both were very talented'
Synopsis
Madhuri Dixit declined to pick between Sridevi and Juhi Chawla on Sony Marathi's Kon Honar Crorepati, instead praising both for their comic timing — before co-host Sonali Bendre turned the tables and named Madhuri as her own favourite, leaving the legend blushing. A rare, warm on-screen reflection on Hindi cinema's golden 1990s triangle.
Key Takeaways
Madhuri Dixit appeared on the grand premiere of Sony Marathi's Kon Honar Crorepati alongside Sonali Bendre .
Asked to choose between Sridevi and Juhi Chawla , Madhuri praised both for their comic timing rather than picking one.
Madhuri highlighted that Sridevi acted in films in four languages : Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Madhuri and Juhi Chawla both broke through in 1988 — via Tezaab and Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak respectively — and dominated the 1990s .
Madhuri and Juhi only shared the screen once, in Gulaab Gang ( 2014 ); Madhuri and Sridevi never appeared together in a film.
Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit refused to choose a favourite between Sridevi and Juhi Chawla during a candid exchange on Sony Marathi's quiz show Kon Honar Crorepati, praising both actresses for their comic timing and distinctive screen presence. The conversation, which took place during the show's grand premiere, was prompted by actress Sonali Bendre, who posed the question to Madhuri on stage.
What Madhuri Said
Rather than picking sides, Madhuri was effusive in her praise for both contemporaries. 'Sridevi's comic timing was amazing. Juhi Chawla's comic timing was also great, and she had such a beautiful laugh. Both were very talented, so I liked both of them,' she said.
Madhuri also singled out Sridevi's extraordinary linguistic range, noting, 'Sridevi acted in films in four different languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. That was amazing.' The remark underscored Sridevi's unparalleled cross-industry appeal — a feat few Hindi film stars have matched.
Sonali Bendre Turns the Tables
Sonali, who had her own clear preference, turned the conversation back on Madhuri with a compliment that left her visibly flustered. 'When Juhi Chawla and Sridevi are mentioned, we all know whose name is taken alongside theirs. So, my pick is always Madhuri ji!' she said. The remark left Madhuri blushing on stage, drawing warm applause from the audience.
Three Icons Who Defined an Era
The exchange was a nostalgic nod to one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated chapters. Madhuri and Juhi both broke through in 1988 — Juhi with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Madhuri with Tezaab, which featured the iconic song 'Ek Do Teen'. Through the 1990s, both headlined some of Hindi cinema's biggest hits: Madhuri in Dil, Beta, and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Juhi in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Darr, and Yes Boss.
Sridevi, meanwhile, had already established herself as a dominant force through much of the 1980s, with films such as Himmatwala, Sadma, Nagina, Mr India, Chandni, and ChaalBaaz cementing her status before Madhuri and Juhi's rise to prominence.
Shared Screen and What Never Was
Despite being frequently compared throughout their peak years, Madhuri and Juhi did not share the screen together until Gulaab Gang in 2014. Notably, Madhuri and Sridevi never appeared together in a film — a fact that has long intrigued fans and film historians alike. The on-stage conversation on Kon Honar Crorepati offered a rare, warm reflection on that era from one of its central figures.
Point of View
But Madhuri's answer quietly dismantled it — and that itself is the story. These three actresses were never simply interchangeable; they occupied distinct creative registers, as Madhuri's careful distinction between Sridevi's linguistic range and Juhi's laugh makes clear. What mainstream coverage often misses is that the 'rivalry' narrative was largely a media and trade construction: the women themselves, as this exchange illustrates, have consistently spoken of mutual admiration. The more interesting cultural footnote is that Madhuri and Sridevi — the two names most synonymous with that era — never shared a frame, a gap that cinema historians will likely always regard as one of Bollywood's great missed pairings.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhuri Dixit say about Sridevi and Juhi Chawla on Kon Honar Crorepati?
Madhuri Dixit praised both actresses for their comic timing without choosing a favourite. She specifically noted Sridevi's ability to work across four languages — Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam — and Juhi Chawla's distinctive laugh and screen charm.
What is Kon Honar Crorepati and which channel airs it?
Kon Honar Crorepati is a quiz show that airs on Sony Marathi. Madhuri Dixit and Sonali Bendre appeared together during the show's grand premiere.
Did Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla ever act together in a film?
Yes, Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla shared the screen for the first time in Gulaab Gang in 2014, despite both being major stars of the same era throughout the 1990s.
Did Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi ever appear together in a film?
No, Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi never appeared together in any film, a fact often noted as one of Hindi cinema's great missed on-screen pairings.
How did Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla rise to fame?
Both broke through in 1988 — Madhuri with Tezaab, featuring the hit song 'Ek Do Teen', and Juhi with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. They went on to headline some of Hindi cinema's biggest films through the 1990s.
