Madhuri Dixit turns 53: Rare photos of Bollywood’s dancing diva

Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit, whose charm doesn't seem to age and smile continues to warm hearts, turns 53 today. On her birthday, we look back at her over three-decade-old journey in films, her choices and why she ruled the '90s. (Express archive photo)

For someone, who would later dance into the hearts of the audience, the Mumbai-born Madhuri Dixit began learning Kathak at the age of three, and trained for eight years. Far removed from any acting aspiration, Dixit planned to do Microbiology in graduation and enrolled at a college in the city. But after six months of the course, she quit to pursue a career in the movies. (Express archive photo)

Madhuri Dixit made her Bollywood debut in 1984 with Rajshri Films' Abodh at the age of 17. The film didn't work, but the actor earned recognition for her role of a girl who is married off without her consent and is too young to understand matrimony. (Express archive photo)

What followed, however, was a spate of unsuccessful films for the next three years. It is also in one of these projects Hifazat (1987) that Madhuri Dixit first collaborated with actor Anil Kapoor. (Express archive photo)

It's the year 1988 that turned things around for Madhuri Dixit. N Chandra's Tezaab released and Madhuri Dixit's Mohini - a woman forced to dance by her father for money - enthralled the audience. While her act had the perfect dramatic pitch, her inimitable dance moves - the unforgettable "Ek Do Teen" - marked the arrival of star Madhuri Dixit. This is the first time she worked with choreographer Saroj Khan, with whom she went on to forge a formidable partnership. (Express archive photo)

A year later came Subhash Ghai's Ram Lakhan, and even though the film's protagonists were Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit's arresting screen presence assured she was noticed and liked. The film was a super hit. It was followed by Rajiv Rai's Tridev - with Sunny Deol - which ended up as one of the biggest hits of 1989. (Express archive photo)

The same year came Vidhu Vinod Chopra's much-acclaimed Parinda, which was another turning point in Madhuri Dixit's career, as it earned her the credibility she wanted as an actor amid the back-to-back box-office successes. She co-starred with Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff in the film. (Express archive photo)

Madhuri Dixit entered the '90s as numero uno actress in Bollywood, who danced and emoted like no one else. One who always held her own in the most male-dominated stories she was part of. She slipped into the commercial set-up as smoothly as she headlined a smaller, independent project. (Express archive photo)

In 1990, Madhuri Dixit won her first best actor Filmfare award for her performance in Indra Kumar's Dil, co-starring Aamir Khan. The romantic drama was also a huge success. The success was replicated in the form of Saajan- in the following year- where she played a woman who falls in love over writing letters to her favourite poet.

In 1990, Madhuri Dixit won her first Best Actor Filmfare award for her performance in Indra Kumar's Dil, co-starring Aamir Khan. The romantic drama was also a huge success. The following year, Dixit struck gold again with Saajan, which featured her as a woman who falls in love over writing letters to her favourite poet. (Express archive photo)

Beta (1992) was not only the biggest hit of the year but also earned her the second Best Actor Filmfare award for her powerful portrayal of a woman who stands up against the wrongdoings of her mother-in-law. In 1993, she did Khalnayak, and as with many of her movies, one of the highest points in this film was her dancing. Madhuri Dixit mesmerised the audience with her moves in "Choli Ke Peeche", again choreographed by Saroj Khan. (Express archive photo)

In 1994, Madhuri Dixit starred in Sooraj Barjatya entertainer Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! one of the biggest grossers in the history of Bollywood. In 1997, the actor received one of the biggest recognitions of her career with Prakash Jha's Mrityudand, where she played a woman who confronts male oppression in her village. (Express archive photo)

The same year, she won over the box-office as the Yash Chopra heroine in Dil To Pagal Hai opposite Shah Rukh Khan, with whom she formed one of the most charismatic on-screen pairs in Hindi cinema. (Express archive photo)

Amid her roaring career, came a personal development in 1999 when Madhuri Dixit tied the knot with Sriram Nene, a doctor. Her wedding was a no-Bollywood, only family affair. (Express archive photo)

The early 2000s was marked by Madhuri Dixit lending her stardom to substantial roles like Pukar, Lajja and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, where she played Chandramukhi. The film was the perfect marriage of Madhuri's unparalleled charisma and untapped emotional depth. It is after Devdas that the actor took a break from movies and went to the US. (Express archive photo)

Madhuri Dixit returned to movies with Yash Raj Films' Aaja Nachle in 2007, and even though there was a lot of noise around her comeback, the film failed to get an audience. She relocated to India four years later, along with her husband and two sons. The same year, she did Abhishek Chaubey's Dedh Ishqiya, and even though the film wasn't a success, her performance as a con-woman earned praise from all quarters. (Express archive photo)

It was also around this time, Madhuri Dixit dabbled with reality television, judging various dance-based shows, which has helped her stay relevant with the audience. Her diversification also includes her debut in Marathi cinema. Dixit acted in 2018's acclaimed Marathi drama Bucket List. The actor also turned producer with Marathi film 15 August. (Express archive photo)