The Dancing Queens

If the men beat up the goons in our films, the women blow us over with their killer dance moves. Mujras, cabaret, item songs - we have seen it all. Our actresses have always brought their unique style to the silver screen and made songs larger than life. We list down 11 dancing queens in Bollywood whose grace is unmatched.


 

Vyjayathimala
She's a Bharathnatyam dancer, so there’s no doubt that she’ll be exceptional with her moves. Vyjayanthimala’s dance numbers have gone on to be super hits. Check out her graceful moves in songs like Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin), Chadh gayo paapi bichhua (Madhumati), Buddha mil gaya (Sangam) or Hothon pe aisi baat (Jewel Thief),

 

Helen
The reason item numbers were not termed crass back in the day was because Helen made them classy. From Gabbar to Don, all villains loved to watch her dance. Helen is undoubtedly the uncrowned cabaret queen of Hindi cinema. Helen's moves were sensuous but not cheap. She got oomph in her songs. There is no one who can dance like Helen till date!

 

Mumtaz
Mumtaz is a true success story in our industry. She was a background dancer before she became a superstar. It is said that other actresses were given videotapes of her songs so that they could adapt her steps. Watch her in Bindiya Chamkegi (Do Raaste) to know why.

 

Rekha
She has mastered the art of enchanting the audience just with her expressive eyes. Who can forget Inn ankhon ki masti ke (Umrao Jaan)? And it's not only mujra she excels in; watch her dance as a free-spirited village belle in Pardesiya (Mr Natwarlal) and you’ll know she’s an ace.

 

Hema Malini
The eternal dreamgirl loves dancing and she still does live performances. She excels in classical dancing and her expressions are to die for.

 

Sridevi
Which other actress can do the nagin dance the way Sridevi does? Her songs and dance were so popular that people knew about the films because of her songs. We bet even today Sridevi can give any actress a run for her money if she decides to dance.

Madhuri Dixit
Even if the camera just focuses on her face, she will be the best dancer in Indian cinema. That’s the prowess of Madhuri Dixit and ability to express. Her dance numbers created a riot in the cinema halls. Birju Maharaj has called her the “best Bollywood dancer.” Saroj Khan has continually stated she’s her favourite protégé.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
You will be left awestruck when you watch her dance on the big screen. Even in a dance-off with Madhuri Dixit in Dola re from Devdas, it’s difficult to judge who is performing better. And boy how can we forget Crazy kiya re!

 

Katrina Kaif
She may not be the best at speaking Hindi, but she surely knows how to dance on Hindi numbers. Zara zara (Race) was just a trailer, because she created fireworks with her item song Sheila ki jawaani (Tees Maar Khan) in 2010. The film tanked at the box-office but what remained was Katrina Kaif - the dancing queen. Watch Maashallah, Ishq Shaava and Kamli and you will forget the fact that she is dancing opposite three powerful Khans, because you will be only looking at her.

Priyanka Chopra
If she can win your heart by being a desi girl, she can also be a Babli badmaash and show you her naughty side. Priyanka Chopra is an amazing dancer and we still remember when she paid an ode to Madhuri Dixit's hit dance numbers at 58th Filmfare Awards, she was no less than the dhak dhak girl. Watch Asalaam-e-ishqum and Ram chahe leela as she seduces a la Priyanka Chopra style.

 

Deepika Padukone
The first time she faced the silver screen she imitated the dance steps of veteran actresses in her song Dhoom Tana (Om Shanti Om). We knew it right then that this girl would burn the big screen with her moves every single time. When she danced on Nagada Sang Dhol in Ram Leela, people started comparing her to Aishwarya Rai. And last year she shocked the audiences with her sizzling act as Lovely in Happy New Year. Welcome the new dancing queen.