Madhuri-Riku Split

Bollywood's most popular star manager, Riku Rakesh Nath, and his client of three decades, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, part ways.

There's a common saying in the film industry: in Bollywood, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. This has been reiterated by the fact that Madhuri Dixit-Nene decided to terminate the services of her manager of almost 30 years, Riku Rakesh Nath. They parted ways after Madhuri decided to hire the services of a talent management firm — the latest trend in the industry — instead of the age-old tradition of using the services of a manager. A source from the industry says, "Madhuri's husband wanted her to hire the services of a corporate firm instead of an independent manager."

During her early days, Nath played a prominent role in making Dixit-Nene the superstar of the masses. He started handling the actor's work soon after her debut in Abodh (1984) and played a key role in bagging several of her successful films — Tezaab, Beta, Saajan, Dil and Hum Aapke Hain Koun!, among others. During this period, he also managed Anil Kapoor and Namrata and Shilpa Shirodkar but Dixit-Nene remained his priority. Riku was known for handling the actor's date diary, which also included setting up meetings with directors, interviews, photo shoots, arranging for costumes and organising parties. After Dixit-Nene quit Bollywood in 2002, Nath handled the careers of Ameesha Patel and Kangna Ranaut briefly. But upon Dixit-Nene's return last year, he started working with her again and is instrumental in her recent television stint in Jhalak Dikhlaa Ja.

ALSO READ

In a first, BMC to survey children under 14

The prodigal actor

Airfares: Travel agents to keep shutters down on Tuesday

Teen raped at birthday party, sold to man