She has mesmerised millions of Indians with her screen performances, but Madhuri Dixit's US-brought up kids realised their mother was a big Bollywood star only when they visited the sets of a dance reality show recently.

"They didn't know, but they are kind of realising now when they visited the sets of 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' and saw everybody praising me and talking about me. They ask like, 'Oh, so you are a big star in India'," Madhuri said in an interview.

Madhuri lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband Sriram Nene and two sons - Arin, 7, and Raayan, 5, and is in India as the judge of the fourth season of the show.

Madhuri became a national craze in the 1980s and the 90s with her scintillating performances in superhits like Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Dil, Saajan, Khalnayak, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas.

The actress took a sabbatical after 2002 and made a come back with Aaja Nachle in 2007, but the film bombed at the box office.

The failure, however, didn't affect the star aura surrounding her. She got a warm welcome by her fans and colleagues. Whether it's award functions or other public events, Madhuri's charm swept one and all.

The actress is touched after receiving such an overwhelming response from everyone and calls herself very fortunate.

"It always feels wonderful. I feel blessed. There is not a single day when I don't thank god that he has given me so much. I have received so much love from everyone wherever I have gone that I feel I am very fortunate and thank everyone for that," she said.

Her on-screen simplicity, acting prowess and elegant dancing style have made her an icon for many, especially youngsters.

So, how does it feel to be called an icon?

"It feels really nice that people love you so much, they appreciate your work and consider you an icon. It's always good to have compliments. It makes you feel nice. It makes your face glow," she said, flashing her evergreen smile.

She was recently honoured with a special award for completing 25 years in Bollywood at the 56th Idea Filmfare awards where she set the stage on fire with Shah Rukh Khan.

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