She is the Ek-Do-Teen girl and Dhak-Dhak diva who has allured our hearts with her stellar performance in numerous successful films. After 25 years and with two kids Madhuri Dixit still captivates the audience every time she is in front of a camera.
Though she made her debut with Abodh (1984), it was Tezaab (1988) that made her a star, in the true sense. She then starred in Ram Lakhan (1989), Parinda (1989), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990) and Prahaar (1991). She won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in Dil (1990). She went on to star in Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Khalnayak (1993), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Raja (1995) and Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997). All these films were highly successful at the box-office, with Beta, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Dil Toh Pagal Hai winning her the Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She delivered an amazing performance in Prakash Jha’s Mrityudand (1997) and with her portrayal of the courtesan Chandramukhi in Devdas (2002).
Here are some of the stellar performances that are the stepping stones of her career.
Hum Aapke Hai Kaun:
The Sooraj Barjatya movie established that weddings were the best place to fall in love. Madhuri’s character Nisha was a carefree, enthusiastic and a gutsy young girl. The romance and chemistry between Nisha and Prem became immortal. Her hip shaking moves in ‘Didi tera dewar deewana’ and the romantic waltz with Salman in ‘Pehla Pehla Pyaar hai’ won the hearts of the audience.
Tezaab:
Madhuri’s incredible dance routine in the song, “Ek, Do, Teen” was nothing short of phenomenal. Her dance lured the audience to the theatre screens and ensured the movie’s success at the box office. She taught the children to count numbers and time series with “Din hue hafte, hafte mahine, mahine bann gaye saal” She played the character of Mohini who is forced to become a dancer because she is sold by her father to a gangster. Her powerful acting overshadowed Anil Kapoor’s character and the movie is still known as ‘Madhuri’s film.’
Devdas:
Madhuri Dixit played the role of Chandramukhi; the modern ‘tawaif’. The grand set, the colorful lights, the heavy designer costumes and Madhuri’s dance; all contributed to the success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie. We saw her doing a mujra on “Maar daala”. Then, she performed on “Kaahe ched mohe” where her kathak dance and flirty expressions wooed us. The song was sung and choreographed by Pandit Birju Maharaj. She also won the Filmfare award for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Dil Toh Pagal Hai:
The romantic musical affair between Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri and Karishma in Dil To Pagal Hai showcased Madhuri’s dancing abilities to the true measure. Madhuri played the character of the innocent endearing Maya. She danced gracefully in the moonlight in skin tight white leotards to the beat of the drums. With this movie, she proved to the critics that she was familiar with contemporary and western dance styles as well as Indian styles. With this movie, she became the most versatile actor and dancer in Bollywood and she won her fourth Filmfare award.
Dil:
Paired opposite Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan, Madhuri evolved as an actor. She shed the ‘girl next door’ tag by playing the character of a rich selfish girl who vehemently hates Aamir. Madhuri danced to “Aaj na chodunga tujhe dum duma dum” which was released as a promotional track earlier. But, on popular demand the track was added into the movie and the movie re-released. Aamir tried his best to match steps with Madhuri in the song “Khambe jaise khadi hai” but could hardly keep up. Their sizzling onscreen chemistry is still fresh in our minds.
Saajan
Saajan was Directed by Lawrence D’Souza and produced by Sudhakar Bokade. It was a huge box-office hit and had many super hit songs. Madhuri Dixit was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performance in the movie.
Pukar
It was a moderate success at the Box office and received many awards and nominations. Madhuri Dixit was nominated for the Film fare award for Best Actress for her role in the film.
Beta
Beta was directed by Indra Kumar and produced by Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria. This movie was a box office success and has evergreen hit songs like ‘Dhak Dhak Karne Laga’. Madhuri Dixit won the Filmfare Award for the best Actress for her performance in the movie.
Have I left any of the Madhuri Dixit best movies? If you know of any film which deserves a place in this list, feel free to add them through comments.