On Madhuri Dixit’s 59th Birthday, revisiting the movies that made her a superstar

Madhuri Dixit turns 59 today. Famous for her infectious smile, mesmerizing dance and captivating screen presence, the 'Dhak Dhak girl' gracefully essayed the characters, be it in intense emotional dramas, classic romances or comedy capers. Here, we look at some of the blockbusters that made her the ultimate Bollywood diva.

Tezaab (1988)

Madhuri Dixit.

Madhuri Dixit commanded all attraction with her fierce performance in Tezaab. As a resilient dancer, Mohini, Madhuri not only highlighted her acting mettle but also proved why she is called the dancing diva. The success of the iconic song "Ek Do Teen" fetched her immense praise and accolades and made her one of the biggest dancing stars in showbiz.

Saajan (1991)

Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan in Saajan.

In this classic love triangle, Madhuri played a big fan of poet Aman (Sanjay Dutt). A complex romantic triangle develops when the poet and his closest friend (Salman Khan) unwittingly fall in love with Pooja, leaving her at the heart of their romantic dilemma.

Khalnayak (1993)

Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt in Khalnayak.

Madhuri, as fierce police officer Ganga, gave a glimpse of her acting range in Sanjay Dutt starrer Khalnayak. Despite heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff, Madhuri managed to shine on her own and played an instrumental role in the movie’s success. Also, her electric performance in “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” completely swooned audiences and remains one of the most popular tracks even today.

Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994)

Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!

This massive blockbuster completely rewrote box-office history in Bollywood. Madhuri won everyone's hearts as the fun-loving, sweet and delightfully quirky Nisha. Her sparkling chemistry with Salman Khan gave the movie a major boost, eventually making it an evergreen cult classic in Bollywood. Her incredible acting and mesmerizing dance moves instantly turned Madhuri into a national style icon.

Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

Shah Rukh Khan with Karisma Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in Dil Toh Pagal Hai.

Alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor, Madhuri gave a new dimension in Dil To Pagal Hai, playing a refined dancer, Pooja, who held onto a deep faith in true love. The film felt like a poetic musical and Madhuri’s glowing presence held the whole story. By tapping into a softer, more tender side of her acting, Madhuri gave a performance that showed the sheer brilliance she brings to the screen.

Devdas (2002)

Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit Nene in Devdas.

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand adaptation of the classic novel Devdas, Madhuri stepped into the shoes of Chandramukhi, a golden-hearted courtesan. While she may not have been the main lead, the moment she came on the big screen, her magnetic presence completely took over everyone.