When Tapas Paul played the lead opposite Madhuri Dixit!

Tapas Paul will always be remembered for his memorable and soulful portrayal of a wide range of characters in films like Dadar Kirti (1980), Saheb (1981), Bhalobasa Bhalobasa (1985), Gurudakshina (1987) and Anurager Choyan (1986) to name a few.
While the Bengali actor failed to recreate his magic in Bollywood, he did get an opportunity to star opposite a future megastar.

Not many people know Tapas Paul had played the lead opposite Madhuri Dixit in the 1984 film ‘Abodh’. Although it sank at the box office without a trace, critics did appreciate Madhuri Dixit’s acting. The Bollywood diva’s breakthrough movie was Tezaab (1988) and she went on to rule the big screen with ‘Ram Lakhan’, ‘Parinda’, ‘Ilaaka’, ‘Khalnayak’ and more such movies becoming Bollywood reigning star.
‘Abodh’ featured Madhuri Dixit, Tapas Pal, Vinod Sharma, Ashok Saraf, Mohan Choti and Dinesh Hingoo. The movie was directed by Hiren Nag and produced by Tarachand Barjatya.
Nag, who is often credited with successfully launching Madhuri Dixit's career, also had several other films to his name, including ‘Geet Gaata Chal’ in 1975 and ‘Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se’ in 1978.