Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit has revisited one of the most distressing episodes from her early film career, shedding new light on the controversial kissing sequence with co-star Vinod Khanna in the 1988 film Dayavan. More than three decades later, the actor described the experience as a pivotal, uncomfortable moment that shaped her professional boundaries.
A Scene That Crossed The Line
The incident occurred during the filming of the song Aaj Phir Tumpe Pyaar Aaya Hai. At the time, Vinod Khanna was a reigning superstar, while Madhuri was a newcomer striving to establish herself. Reports that have persisted over the years allege that the shoot took a shocking turn. Khanna reportedly continued the kiss longer than required and bit Madhuri's lip, causing it to bleed and leaving the young actor in tears and visibly distressed on set.
In a recent interview with Radio Nasha, Madhuri reflected on the profound embarrassment she felt. She admitted she was not fully aware of how explicit the scene would be when she signed the project. "Well I think it's a growing process or learning process. You learn something with everything and I learned something from that too," she stated. "And after that I was very embarrassed and I decided that this is something that's not to be done."
Aftermath and Industry Repercussions
The episode has long been cited as a stark example of the power imbalance young actresses faced in the film industry during that era. The impact was severe and lasting. According to industry reports, Madhuri Dixit never worked with Vinod Khanna again after Dayavan. Khanna later apologized for his actions during the shoot.
The controversy also extended to the film's director, Feroz Khan. Madhuri was asked about Khan's later statements, where he expressed regret over filming the scene, calling it unfair to her rising stardom. Despite this regret and reports that Madhuri had sent a legal notice requesting the scene's removal, Feroz Khan chose to retain it in the final cut. It is widely reported that Madhuri was paid an additional Rs 1 crore, a massive sum at the time, for the scene to remain in the film.
A Lasting Personal Lesson
For Madhuri Dixit, the experience transcended mere on-set discomfort; it became a defining lesson. She stated that watching the scene today still leaves her shocked. The incident forced her to draw clear professional boundaries that guided her choices in subsequent films. Her decision to speak about it decades later underscores the lasting emotional impact of the event, highlighting ongoing conversations about consent and respect in cinema.
The Dayavan kissing scene controversy remains a significant footnote in Bollywood history, illustrating the challenges faced by new actors and the evolving norms of on-screen intimacy and off-set conduct in the Indian film industry.
