No one can dance quite like Madhuri! In fact, only she can outdo herself with every subsequent song. For every important film in Madhuri’s career that has charted her course to the top, there is an iconic dance step that refuses to dim with time. Her latkas and jhatkas have the power of a ‘dhai kilo ka haath’, the intensity of a ‘mere paas maa hai’ and the charm of a ‘bade bade shehron mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain, senorita!’
No wonder then that our birthday girl Madhuri has literally danced her way into our hearts – here‘s how!
1. Ek Do Teen
After 9 consecutive flops, came this song that compelled everyone to sit up and take notice. Madhuri arrived in her shimmery pink outfit in the 1987 movie Tezaab opposite Anil Kapoor. Her Ek Do Teen number got the whole nation dancing to her tunes with fans multiplying with every twirl!
2. Dhak Dhak Karne Laga
Come 1992 and with Indra Kumar’s Beta, Madhuri became a rage! Gyrating in gay abandon, her backless orange blouse still sends her fans into a tizzy. Henceforth referred to as the ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl, the diva still makes our hearts skip a beat!
3. Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai
Just when we thought that things couldn’t get any hotter after Dhak Dhak, Madhuri stunned everyone in this 1993 blockbuster Khalnayak. Playing an undercover cop she was at her sultry best with her Choli Ke Peeche number. An epitome of elegance, Madhuri carried off the raunchy lyrics and suggestive dance moves with a grace that is unmatched.
4. Channe Ke Khet Mein
She smiles like a diva, dances like a dream and also packs a hard punch. That’s the Madhuri we meet in Anjaam (1994). Cast opposite SRK for the first time, the result was stunning especially for her Channe Ke Khet Mein dance step.
5. Didi Tera Dewar Deewana
Madhuri was never the sort to rest on her laurels. That same year she upped the ante with Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Apke Hain Kaun (1994). A mega blockbuster choc a bloc with songs, her dance steps from the film have and continue to be a staple at all shadi –vyah ceremonies. Dazzling in a purple saree opposite the yet-to-be-beefed-up Salman, her Didi Tera Dewar Deewana is the stuff of legends.
6. Mera Piya Ghar Aaya
Madhuri’s 1995 release Yaraana is a rather forgettable affair. An atrocious remake of Sleeping With The Enemy (1991), with a chubby Rishi Kapoor in striped rainbow sweaters for company. We wouldn’t be talking about it had it not been for the song Mera Piya Ghar Aaya. Madhuri was simply spectacular despite the sordid film.
7. Kay Sera Sera
Madhuri broke a million hearts with her saat phere to Dr Nene but that did not stop her from busting a few misconceptions. Like “Oh she is only good with the typical Bollywood dance … she sure can’t dance like Prabhu Deva, can she?” Madhuri ensured she shut everyone up and that too in her own unique style. With the Kay Sera Sera number in Pukar (2000) she moonwalked to perfection.
8. Dola Re Dola
2002 – the year of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. Playing Chandramukhi , Madhuri wowed us with yet another scintillating performance. Be it in Dola Re Dola or Maar Daala, it’s difficult to look away when the diva lights up the screen.
9. Aaja Nachle
Madhuri’s comeback vehicle might have bombed but her dance as always was the crowed puller. After a 6-year sabbatical, she returned to do what she does best. With every whirl and twirl the applause just kept getting louder. This one song ensures we are still talking about Aaja Nachle (2007).
10. Ghagra Ghagra
Watch and learn is what Madhuri seems to be telling the new crop of actors. Her special appearance in this Ranbir-Deepika starrer Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013) became all the more special with her item song Ghagra. The craze that this one song generated bears testimony to the fact that ever since ek do teen up until now… Madhuri and her divine moves still count!
(This story is from The Quint’s archives and is being republished to mark Madhuri Dixit’s birthday on 15 May.)
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