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Rediff.com  » Movies » Readers Choice: Best onscreen dancer of all time
This article was first published 12 years ago

Readers Choice: Best onscreen dancer of all time

Last updated on: August 11, 2011 15:52 IST

Image: Kamal Haasan

We've been asking you a lot of questions these days, dear reader. [link to some recent polls] And you've been doing such a fantastic job that we just can't stop.

We recently wondered aloud who -- male or female -- was Bollywood's best ever dancer on-screen, and you stampeded the comments section telling us who and why. As always, you did very strongly.

Here, then, is your list. A fun, sometimes surprising list. Enjoy:

10. Kamal Haasan

The sort of versatile performer Haasan is, it isn't surprising to see him make any sort of top ten list, but we were certainly impressed by the sheer impact this actor-filmmaker has left on you as a dancer.

Committed to every aspect of his craft, Haasan can indeed shake his biscuit with flair.

 

9. Akshay Kumar

Image: Akshay Kumar

The tallest man on this list, Kumar brings his own brand of athletic gracefulness to the dancefloor.

A martial artist, he doesn't shy away from a sudden kick and jab even while dancing, and is high-energy enough to make it all work. And that self-aware smirk always helps things.

 

8. Jaaved Jaffrey

Image: Jaaved Jaffrey

The lithe and lanky Jaaved might be known for his funny voices now, but back when he arrived in filmdom he was all about breakdancing.

Very few actors have actually breakdanced in Bollywood, and Jaffrey did it wonderfully well.

 

7. Mithun Chakraborty

Image: Mithun Chakraborty

All hail the king of D-I-S-C-O. Call him Jimmy or Mithunda or whatever you will, but there's never been another mover of the pelvis quite like this uninhibited hero who became a superstar through the unlikeliest of hit films, hits simply because of how he could move.

6. Hrithik Roshan

Image: Hrithik Roshan

We're not just saying this because he has a ludicrous television show self-christening him as "god of dance Hrithik Roshan" but Roshan is clearly the best dancer in the industry today, with moves, flair, panache and an ability to make everything seem effortless.

 

5. Sridevi

Image: Sridevi

The primary difference between the really good dancers and the great dancers lies in how well they can emote.

And while many a classically trained danseuse can do a lot with their hands and feet, Sridevi's incredibly expressive face does more than what mere limbs could ever.

 

4. Govinda

Image: Govinda

The best dancers give themselves over to the music with a madcap abandon the rest of us can only dream of, and Govinda threw self-consciousness out the window early on as he danced inimitably well and yet seemed to have enough time to milk the moment for a laugh. Something special, truly.

3. Prabhudeva

Image: Prabhudeva

Without question one of the best dancers we've ever seen, Prabhudeva is one of those men who an do it all -- from moonwalk to mamba -- and have enough left over for more.

Decidedly the highlight in any song he's in, it's mesmeric to watch this man move.

 

2. Helen

Image: Helen

Speaking about people who move a certain way that makes you stare helplessly, none could quite do it like India's original itemgirl. She shimmied as she smiled, crawled as she cajoled, and did it all with the vivacity of a wildcat.

There'll never be another Helen, no sir.

1. Madhuri Dixit

Image: Madhuri Dixit

Our messageboards have been unanimous. "Madhuri! Madhuri! Madhuri!", you scream, dear readers, as if yelling for her to take the stage and start counting from one to thirteen. Or show us how her heart beats. Or how fisherwomen stretch. Or what's behind her choli. Or how she can dance rings around anyone, even #3 on this list.

There's only one Madhuri Dixit and, to you like to us, in a list like this she owns the top.