In the life of a dancer, Madhuri Dixit is more than just an actress of the Indian film fraternity. She is an inspiration! Every dancer wishes to be as amazing, as graceful and as loved as Madhuri Dixit. The Nateshwar Dance Academy wishes the gorgeous diva of dance a very Happy Birthday!

Madhuri Dixit known as Madhuri Dixit-Nene after her marriage is an Indian actress who is known for her work in Hindi cinema and her extraordinary dance skills. She is leading actress of Bollywood in the 1980s, 1990s and early-2000s, she has been acclaimed by critics for her acting and dancing skills, and attained admiration owed to her beauty and grace.

She has received six Filmfare Awards, four for Best Actress, one for Best Supporting Actress and one special award. She has also been nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress a record fourteen times. She was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India in 2008.

Madhuri Dixit is not only known for her acting skills but for her dancing skills as well. Often referred to as the “Dhak Dhak Girl”, she is famous for her dance in the song “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” from the film Beta. She is also known for her dance sequences accompanying Bollywood songs such as “Ek Do Teen” (from Tezaab), “Humko Aaj Kal Hai” (from Sailaab), “Bada Dukh Deenha” (from Ram Lakhan), “Chane Ke Khet Mein” (from Anjaam), “Didi Tera Devar Deewana” (from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!), “Choli Ke Peechhe” (from Khalnayak), “Akhiyan Milaun” (from Raja), “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya” (from Yaraana), “Kay Sera Sera” (from Pukar), “Badi Mushkil” (from Lajja), “Maar Daala and Kahe Ched Mohe” (from Devdas), “Aaja Nachle” (from Aaja Nachle), and “Ghagra” (from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani).

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a Kathak dancer, who choreographed Dixit in the film Devdas for the song “Kaahe Chhed” calls her as “the best Bollywood dancer due to her versatility.”Film critic Raja Sen describes Dixit as “the industry’s numero uno in every sense.” Further he elaborates, “She is an exemplary dancer. From Kathak to Dhak Dhak, she’s done it all and wowed us every step of the way.”Saroj Khan, who choreographer most of Dixit’s early hits, after working with her again in Gulaab Gang called her, “choreographer’s delight”

As an actress, Dixit has often been compared to Madhubala, Meena Kumari and Nargis, who were among the most popular actresses of the black-and-white era of Bollywood. She was often referred to as the Madhubala of the 1990s.

In 2013, Madhuri Dixit joined the fourth instalment of Shahrukh Khans Temptation tour “Temptation Reloaded” where they visited and performed series of concerts in Auckland, Perth, Sydney and Dubai; it also featured Rani Mukerjee, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Honey Singh and Meiyang Chang. Madhuri also performed at the 14th IIFA Awards 2013, where she made her first ever appearance which was held in Macau. In September, Madhuri Dixit performed at the first ever SAIFTA- South African Indian Film and Television Awards alongside South African dancers, some of which are part of the Nateshwar Dance Academy.

In 2014, Madhuri was again invited to perform at the 15th IFFA Awards 2014, where she dances on a medley of her most popular dance numbers. On 5 October 2014 Madhuri was seen performing in London at the O2 arena. She performed as a part of joining her good friend Shah Rukh Khan for his promotional tour ‘The Slam Tour’ to promote his upcoming movie Happy New Year. Madhuri Dixit performed in Mauritius in the Anjalay Stadium on the occasion of Diwali which also featured Farhan Akhtar.

In 2011, she appeared as a judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 along with other co-judges Remo D’souza and Malaika Arora Khan. In 2012 and 2013, Dixit rejoined for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 along with her co-judges Remo D’souza and Karan Johar. Madhuri also appeared on Indias Got Talent as a guest judge on two separate occasions for the promotion of her upcoming movies Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang that released in early 2014. Later on in 2014, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa was renewed for a new season, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 where yet again we saw the diva herself Madhuri Dixit return to the judging panel for her fourth time with her co-judges Remo D’souza and Karan Johar.

We hope to see many more beautiful films and iconic dance performances from the beautiful and graceful dancing Diva of Bollywood- MADHURI DIXIT! Here are some of the most beautiful Madhuri Dixit dance tracks!

Written & Compiled by Shevaal Singh