There she sat talking on the phone (in the conference room of the Yash Raj office), the face that has launched 66 movies and million dreams turned away. The interview to some London newspaper went on forever, making the wait seem endless.

And then she hung up and turned around. Just like her Chandramukhi had done to Shah Rukh’s Devdas. The long black tresses had been replaced by golden streaked locks. If you look closely you could even spot a few wrinkles. But the smile, oh the smile, was the same — the one that had made her the queen of hearts from Dil to Dil To Pagal Hai.

Glowing in a green printed kurti, sipping her “light coffee” and ignoring the calls on her Motorola, Madhuri Dixit spoke to t2 and got us dancing to her tune...

When the first theatrical trailer of Aaja Nachle came on air, it announced “Madhuri Dixit is back”. Would you call the film a comeback?

Comeback is a very strong word. But considering the years I have been away — my last film was in 2000 (Devdas) — it must make people think that Madhuri Dixit is coming back to town after being away in the US all this while. In that sense it is like coming back. But for me, it was like... I was never away. Yes, there were butterflies in the stomach on the first day of shooting but once the camera came on, it all just flowed. For me, this is so natural, so in-born that any amount of time you be away from it doesn’t take anything away.

Why, of all movies, did you pick Aaja Nachle to start working again?

First of all, the script attracted me. It’s very nice, written in a very realistic kind of way. It’s about theatre yet it’s very contemporary because that’s what is happening in society today. You are imbibing a new culture but you are forgetting your own roots, your own identity. The film makes a comment on that. And there are parallels with my life. I can identify with this girl coming from New York and how she takes up this mission. And, of course, there’s dance.

How was the shooting experience different from what it used to be?

It’s very different because it is so professional now. Of course, with Yashji (Chopra) it was always professional. The greatest change that I see is sync-sound. I don’t have to dub for the movie again. It’s all on location. And I remember how we used to cry earlier in dubbing studios — why can’t we do this in one go? Sometimes it used to get very difficult to recreate the magic that you have already shot for. Here now you don’t have to do that. Also, today you have all the equipment in the world. Earlier it used to take one hour to put a trolley, now it’s like this (a snap of the fingers). We have bound scripts. Everything is ready, from how you are going to look to what you are going to say. Everything is worked out. Honestly, things have become much bettter.

What about the new bunch of actors? Do you see anything special in the likes of Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Sensharma?

They are bright, they are raring to go, very good actors all of them. They are very easy going... wonderful to talk to... very aware of everything. I had seen Konkona’s work before... Mr and Mrs Iyer and Page 3... Also, Vinay Pathak in Bheja Fry. They are so good. It’s been a wonderful experience.

Turning time back, did you stop working because of marriage?

It’s funny that people think that I gave up movies because of my marriage. Because it was after my marriage that I had done Devdas. But of course when you have babies you have to take time off (laughs — gulp!). I didn’t want to work when I was pregnant. I wanted to enjoy my time, spend time with my children. (Producer) Adi (Aditya Chopra) got in touch with me at just the right time when I was thinking that maybe now it’s time to get back to work.

Did you miss working in Bollywood as much as we missed seeing you?

No (laughs out loud — gulp!). I had a wonderful time seeing my kids grow up. Seeing them speak their first words... take their first steps...they trying my patience at times... I cannot tell you how I treasure these years. Films will come, films will go. Stardom will be there, stardom will not be there. Your fans will be there, your fans will not be there but my legacy is going to be my sons.

Have your kids seen your movies?

I have two kids — one a four-and-a-half-year old and the other two-and-a-half-year old. While the elder one knows a little bit, the smaller one knows that Aaja Nachle is Mama’s film. He would take my i-phone, watch the songs, watch the trailers. He would be like: “Oh Mama, dance Mama dance!” (laughs — gulp!). At least I have two solid fans now on my side!

Just a week to go for the Aaja Nachle release. Is there any pressure at all?

There’s pressure from outside. Friends of mine asking: “How does she look now? Can she still dance?” All those kinds of things. But I can’t let that bother me. It doesn’t matter if Aaja Nachle is a hit or flop. What will matter is what kind of scripts will be offered to me after this and what kind of script I want to do at what point of time. As for now, come and dance with me (smiles — WHEW!).