When she walks into the room, there is a silent hush. A pause later, the cheering begins! A radiant Madhuri Dixit-Nene acknowledges the warmth with a brilliant smile.

Those who wrote her off after her marriage are now sitting up to take notice of the star again.

With Gajagamini entering the festival circuit this month end and the shooting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas progressing in full steam, there's still a lot of fizz in Madame Dixit's career!

Now that you have sampled both acting and marital life, which do you prefer?

I have definitely enjoyed working all these years, but I think I prefer being married. Actually, it's married life combined with work that makes being married so interesting -- it's like having the best of both worlds.

Juggling a family and career is not at all easy, but balancing the two is better than just being in the movies!

Would you classify your marriage as a modern one?

Yes, definitely. There are times when my husband and I live across continents. But, then, there's always e-mail!

Is it true that you spend a lot of time hiding from your fans, even when you are abroad?

Yes, that is correct. It's like a cat and mouse game.

Which are your upcoming movies? Also, tell us about your role in Devdas.

Currently, the movies I'm working on are Devdas, Yeh Raaste Hai Pyaar Ke and Hum Tere Hain Sanam.

I'm very excited about shooting for Devdas with Sanjay (Leela Bansali). We're due to start shooting in December. I am really going to enjoy playing my part in the movie.

Coming to Gajagamini, what is your opinion of Mr Hussain's direction? Are you satisfied with the final product?

We had always planned it as a movie that would be screened at different film festivals. And that is the way it is going to be. I am quite excited about the film. Now that I have seen the completed version, I think it is a very different film.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene spoke to Nidhi Taparia.