What is M.F. Husain’s connection to Madhuri Dixit?

M.F. Husain’s relationship with Bollywood dated back to his early days painting cinema billboards and was rekindled in 1994 after he reportedly watched the blockbuster film Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (“Who Am I to You?”) 74 times. Its appeal lay in its heroine, Madhuri Dixit, a leading actress, whom he saw as a symbol of Indian womanhood. Drawing inspiration from Dixit, he examined aspects of femininity—sensuality, innocence, maternal warmth, and mythic power—in a series of drawings and paintings. This exploration culminated in his 2000 film Gaja Gamini (“Woman with an Elephant’s Gait”), starring Dixit, Shabana Azmi, and Naseeruddin Shah.