One Of Us

As we complete 10 years in India, we consider the quintessential Bazaar woman. Always graceful, like Madhuri Dixit Nene. Brave in her choices, like Alia Bhatt. Confident in her skin, like Sonakshi Sinha. And their cover with Bazaar marks a new milestone: Our first ever featuring leading actors of different ages. They star together in the upcoming film Kalank—pointing to a new direction of cinema where women are not stereotyped.

As we mark our 10th anniversary, we celebrate how personal style and fashion are unapologetic tools of self-expression. Our three cover stars—Madhuri Dixit Nene, Alia Bhatt, and Sonakshi Sinha—embody these beautifully. Underneath the sparkle and shine that their careers bring them, each one of them is everywoman.

They laugh easily, work hard, and strive for success, both critical and commercial. Their role models are their mothers.

And they have each carved a distinct path in the film industry. They are the quintessential Bazaar women. They represent who we are and who we want to be.

On the day of the shoot, at Film City in Mumbai, there’s a crew of over 75 people on set. And Madhuri, Sonakshi, and Alia are entirely at home. There’s an ease to their interaction, which is unsurprising given that they form the all-star leading cast in the upcoming historical drama, Kalank, co-produced by Karan Johar, set to release next month. This is no ordinary project for him—the script was first conceptualised by his late father Yash Johar over 15 years ago and is only now making its way into the world.

We speak to these formidable women about what it means to be an actor today.

MADHURI DIXIT NENE

One of few actors who can headline a commercial or arthouse film with equal ease, Madhuri has redefined what it means to be a superstar. Her enduring fame and ability to reinvent the rules of the game have given countless actors the permission to dream bigger. At our shoot, her innate charisma and gentle exuberance made us fall in love with her. All over again.

What is the most exciting part about being an actor?

Every morning I wake up with the same enthusiasm and excitement about what I’m going to do on that day. To find a profession that you love and work at it every day is the best part.