When asked to rate today’s B-Town heroines on their dancing ability, kathak maestro pandit Birju Maharaj wittily remarked, “Just the other day, I was watching Katrina Kaif on TV. Usko naachna nahi, hilna aata hai! (She cannot dance, only shake her body).

Today’s heroines have no personality and can’t carry a dance on their shoulders. They are nowhere in the same league as Waheeda Rehman or Meena Kumari and think whatever they do is the right thing.”

The maestro, who has worked for films like Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas, shares it was a pleasure to work with Madhuri Dixit, who has attended his workshops twice.

“She has no ego hassles and even after a dance sequence was okayed, she asked for suggestions. Recently, I taught Kamal Hassan a few kathak steps for his film Vishwaroopam. He is a very eager learner.”