Madhuri Dixit, known for her vivacious charm who has set million hearts racing on-screen, turns 50 today. Her beauty was immortalised in late painter MF Hussain’s paintings who even made a film Gaja Gamini, that featured the dhak-dhak girl. Thousands of girls who set their foot in Mumbai, confidently utter the same cliched one-liner when asked about their aspirations,”Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon.” We had a film with the same title with Antara Mali playing a wannabe actress who wanted to be as successful as her idol.
Besides her acting prowess, Madhuri Dixit is an exceptionally brilliant dancer and has enthralled everyone for the past two decades. Here are 10 memorable songs which prove why she is the ageless diva of Bollywood.
Ek Do Teen (Tezaab): After being noticed in Vinod Khanna starrer Dayavan in 1988, Madhuri shot to limelight with Tezaab . And her introduction song Ek Do Teen became an overnight sensation. Crooned by Alka Yagnik, the song’s success signalled the arrival of the star who would go on to rule a million hearts in the years to come.
Didi Tera Devar (Hum Aapke Hain Koun): Sooraj Barjatya’s 1994 wedding drama Hum Aapke Hain Koun became a blockbuster and has acquired a cult status since then. With Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles, the film won immense praises for the music which is still popular. Among all the numbers, it was Lata Mangeshkar and SP Balasubramaniam-sung Didi Tera Devar which turned out to be a blockbuster. Donning a blue lehenga, Madhuri mesmerised her fans with her dance moves in the song that is still played at weddings.
Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (Yaarana): If you thought Ek Do Teen was the only hit number pulled off by Madhuri, think again. This song from David Dhawan directorial Yaarana was a chartbuster in those days. Kavita Krishnamurthy won a Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singing for the song. The film had Rishi Kapoor, Raj Babbar and Shakti Kapoor in pivotal roles.
Akhiyan Milaun (Raja): There were times when films featuring Madhuri Dixit did not do well. But she managed to pull off a decent performance, mainly due to her dancing skills. This song from Raja is still remembered by her fans. Starring Sanjay Kapoor, the film failed at the box office.
Dance of Envy (Dil To Pagal Hai): In 1997, Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit shared screen space with Karisma Kapoor in Yash Chopra’s musical love story Dil To Pagal Hai. Khan played a dance troupe director and both the leading ladies were dancers in the group. Nisha (Karisma) is an old dancer and does not appreciate Pooja (Madhuri) getting close to Rahul (SRK). To assert her authority, she challenges her to a dance duel. It seemed Madhuri pulled up one of the best dance performances on-screen in her life.
Kay Sera Sera (Pukar): Madhuri Dixit joined hands with Prabhu Deva for a song in Pukar and the fans were swept off their feet. The song Kay Sera proved once again why she is one of the finest dancers in the industry. Check out yourself
Maar Daala (Devdas): Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit teamed up with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in 2002 magnum opus Devdas, a cinematic adaptation of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay’s novel 0f the same name. A dejected Devdas seeks refuge in the court of Chandramukhi, who gradually falls in love with him. Donning a lehenga reportedly weighing almost 30 kilogrammes, Madhuri won hearts with her dance performance in the song Maar Daala wherein she attempts to woo Devdas, who is engrossed in drinking.
Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachle): The title song from 2007 film Aaja Nachle ran into trouble after some communities objected to certain words in the lyrics. The Yash Raj Films venture marked Madhuri Dixit’s comeback to the silver screen after Devdas. She was at her best in the film, that unfortunately could not do well at the box office.
Ghaghra (Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani): The ageless diva once again reminded us of her old days when she shared the screen space with Ranbir Kapoor for a cameo in Ayan Mukerji’s 2013 hit Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. The song Ghaghra became an instant chartbuster and the duo’s chemistry was much appreciated by the audience.
Hamari Atariya (Dedh Ishqiya): Madhuri Dixit earned a Filmfare Nomination for Best Actress for her role of Begum Paara in Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya. We are running short of words, so please check out this song without wasting any time.
