Gaja Gamini and the forgotten Muse

Komal Nahta

For all that she was touted as being a muse, Madhuri Dixit's absence at the Gaja Gamini premiere came as a surprise.

Knowing M F Husain's fondness for his heroine and the latter's respect for the celebrated painter, it did seem a little awkward that the lady on whom Husain had spent Rs 4 crores (yes, that is what the film cost), did not show up at the premiere at Regal cinema in Bombay.

Rikku (Rakesh Nath), secretary to Madhuri Dixit, explains, "Husain Saab didn't involve Madhuri or me in the arrangements for the premiere, although both of us are partners with him in the film."

Madhuri might have, perhaps, overlooked this. But what reportedly irked her was the fact that Husain failed to invite anyone among his cast and crew for the premiere. No Shabana, no Naseeruddin Shah, nobody.

Incidentally, according to Rikku, Madhuri has not seen the final copy of the film. By the looks of it, she, perhaps, never will.