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There may have been actresses more talented than her, but none could make the world dance around her dancing the way Madhuri Dixit can.
Subhash K Jha picks 5 films that are remembered solely because of one song and dance by Ms Dixit, who turns 54 today, May 15.
Ek do teen..., Tezaab
And to think that Saroj Khan had initially dismissed this number saying, 'Yeh kya hai ginti ya lyrics?'
Ek do teen... turned out so well that it turned Madhuri into an overnight star, Alka Yagnik into a voice to reckon with and this rather mediocre film into a raging hit.
Interestingly after watching Madhuri dance to Ek do teen... her co-star Anil Kapoor demanded (and got) a male version of the same number sung by Amit Kumar.
With zero impact.
Humko aaj kal hai intezaar, Sailaab
The Madhuri-Saroj Khan-Javed Akhtar trio returned for this, which is far better choreographed than Ek do teen...
The fisherwoman's costumes and setting were to die for.
Bappi Lahiri used the little-known vocals of Anupama Deshpande for the koli dance number.
When it came to Madhuri's smashing dancing it didn't matter who did the vocals.
Today Sailaab is remembered only for this dance number.
Channe ke khet mein, Anjaam
After Baazigar and Darr, the third film in Shah Rukh Khan's 'grey' trilogy was a flop.
But Madhuri's perky dancing in this Saroj Khan number remains crackling and alive to this day.
The signature 'steering wheel' move in the dance number is much emulated on dance reality shows.
By the way, does anyone remember who sang the number?
It was Sushma Shrestha, the child singer from Hai na bolo bolo.
Laila mar gayi, Uttar Dakshin
Even before Ek do teen.. Subhash Ghai discovered the dancer in Madhuri Dixit during a dance number in his Karma.
He quickly scrapped Madhuri's cameo in Karma and cast her as a full-fledged heroine in Uttar Dakshin where Madhuri had this seductive dance on the beach in a white saree while Jackie Shroff looked on admiringly.
The flop film is remembered for this dance number.
Audiences would wait for the number and walk out of the film.
Idlo doo idli doo, Khel
Rakesh Roshan's flop adaptation of the Steven Martin comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is remembered only for this Asha Bhosle number which has the rare distinction of Madhuri doing comedy while dancing.
Of course, she was no match to Sridevi in Hawa Hawaii.
But who is comparing?
Idli doo is the best product of the Madhuri-Saroj Khan combo and the most under-rated.
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com