Madhuri Dixit: The female superstar of Bollywood

Bollywood's most loved screen diva, Madhuri Dixit turns 49 today. With an unassuming personality and a memorable career minus major controversies, she can easily be touted as the female superstar of Indian cinema. From a shy village girl, a true romantic to someone who can bring that subtle sexiness on screen to pulling off hard-hitting roles, every character that she has portrayed so far looks tailor made for her. She broke all the conventions by choosing a movie like Abodh for her debut.

Her chiselled face, svelte frame worked wonders at the box office
'90s was the time when she started to enjoy superstardom when she began delivering back-to-back hits.  Her fans were totally in love with her charismatic beauty, infectious smile, curly locks and that hourglass figure. If we take a closer look, she is one actress who totally encapsulates the grace and elegance of a true Indian woman.

A true dancing diva
A trained Kathak professional, Madhuri began dancing when she was just 3! Most of the movies that she appeared in have at least one hit number that perfectly captures her dancing prowess. Some of her most popular numbers like Ek Do Teen (Tezaab), Humo Ajkal Hai Intezaar (Sailaab), Didi Tera Devar Deewana (Hum Aapke Hain Koun!), Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai (Khalnayak), Chane Ke Khet Mein (Anjaam), Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Beta), Maar Daala (Devdas) and Que Sara Sara (Pukar) are still a hit amongst masses.

For the song Kaahe Ched Mohe, Madhuri was personally trained by none other than Pandit Birju Maharaj. Even for Que Sara Sara from the movie Pukaar, she danced like a pro alongside director-choreographer Pradhu Deva.
Unarguably, she is one of the best dancer-actor Bollywood has ever witnessed. Fondly referred to as India's dancing queen, Madhuri judged dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Ja's 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th season.

Of fans from Bollywood
After seeing her hit number, Ek Do Teen, Bolywood actress, Vidya Balan realised her Bollywood aspirations. In a recent interview, when Madhuri said that veteran actor Dharmendra is the most handsome man, he humbly responded by saying that he was indeed lucky to have Madhuri as a fan.

From Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor to Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor, the current generation of actors totally love her. In fact, Ram Gopa Verma directed Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hun, which is totally dedicated to her.

M F Hussain was so bowled over by her vivacious personality in Hum Apke Hain Kaun that he watched the film 67 times. Later, in 2000, he also made Gaja Gamini starring the beautiful actress along with Shah Rukh Khan.

Different shades of Madhuri
With films like Devdas, Lajja, Gulaab Gang, Parinda, Mrityudand, Beta, Saajan, Tridev, 100 days, Anjaam, Dedh Ishqiya, Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Pukar, she proved her versatility. In a career spanning over 30 years, Madhuri has worked in 70 films and bagged as many as six Filmfare awards out of eight nominations.

Hall of fame
In 2001, Forbes magazine ranked her number 5 in the list of top five most powerful Indian film stars. In 2008, a tribute was paid to her by Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles. And in March 2012, London's celebrated museum Madame Tussauds Waxworks unveiled her wax figure.

The road ahead
Being a passionate dancer, she took the love for dance a step higher. She launched a website 'dancewithmadhuri' for dancing enthusiasts who get a chance to learn some amazing dance steps from the diva herself. The Government of India honored her with Padma Shri in 2008 for her contribution to Hindi cinema.