Happy Birthday Madhuri Dixit Nene!

Today is the day that marks the birthday of the "Dhak Dhak" queen, the woman with the million dollar smile and the irreplaceable Bollywood diva, Madhuri Dixit Nene.

Born on May 15, 1967 into a Marathi-speaking family, she is the daughter of Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, Dixit-Nene might have studied to become a microbiologist but had always been a dancer at heart since the age of three. Lesser known fact about her is that she became a trained professional kathak dancer. In 2013, she launched her very own dance academy through an online website "Dance with Madhuri", teaches all styles of dancing by the leading choreographers of Bollywood and herself.

Dixit-Nene entered the film industry in 1984 with Rajshri Productions' Abodh which did not gain her much success on the big screen. Stardom didn't hit her until 1988, when she featured in the critically and commercially successful blockbuster film Tezaab, alongside the celebrated actor Anil Kapoor. The film became an instant hit where she was lauded not only on her acting but also her dancing skills and he thus received her first nomination for the Flimfare Award for Best Actress. This achievement was followed by numerous successful films like Ram Lakhan (1989), Prem Pratigyya (1989), Tridev (1989), Parinda (1989), among others. She continued to leave marks of her presence in the industry with films like Dil (1990) through which she got her first Filmfare Award for the Best Actress, Saajan (1991), and Beta (1992) where her character earned her second Filmfare Best Actress Award. The list continues with Khalnayak (1993), Anjaam (1994), Hum Aapke Hain Koun! (1994), Raja (1995), Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997), Aarzoo (1998), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) and Devdas (2002).

Dixit-Nene took a break from the film industry after she got married in 1999 to a Cardiovascular Surgeon from California, Dr. Shriram Madhav Nene. Later, she shifted to Denver, another city in the U.S.A. where she gave birth to two handsome boys, Arin and Ryaan. She then returned to Bollywood in 2007 with Yash Raj's dance drama, Aaja Nachle. She has since then featured in a few films such as Dedh Ishqiya (2012) and Gulaab Gang (2014) along with many special appearances.

Dixit-Nene also made her presence felt on the small screen as a host with Kahina Kahi Koi Hai (2001), in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 4 through 7 as a judge, as well as in Nach Baliye Season 1 and 3.

With that, we bring to you a list of just a few of our Dhak Dhak girl's tracks.

1. "Ek Do Teen" - Tezaab
2. "Humne Ghar Chhoda Hai" - Dil
3. "Bohot Pyaar Karte Hain" - Saajan
4. "Dhak Dhak Karne Laya" - Beta
5. "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai" - Khalnayak
6. "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" - Hum Aapke Hain Koun!
7. "Are Re Are" - Dil Toh Pagal Hai
8. "Maar Dala" - Devdas
9. "Aaja Nachle" - Aaja Nachle
10. "Ghagra" - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Before you tune into her playlist, here is a small quiz to Test Yourself on how well do you know your favourite star.

1. Dixit-Nene starred in a film which was a tribute to herself. What's the name of that film and who made it?
2. How did the actress earn the "Dhak Dhak" girl title?
3. Who was Dixit-Nene rumoured to be in a love-relationship with before getting married?
4. In what year did Dixit-Nene move back to India with her family?

With that, we at BollyCurry take pleasure in wishing Madhuri Dixit Nene a very happy birthday. May life continue to be as blessed as it is with each passing year and may the beautiful smile never fade from her face.

Writer: Amanda H.
Editors: Pooja B. and Sonia R.
Graphics: Shikha A.

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