Sridevi Hits: Top 20 Stunning Dance Numbers of India’s First Female Superstar!

Best dance performances of Sridevi

The iconic Sridevi, who made people swoon over her in the 80s and early 90s, has left for her heavenly abode quite suddenly. A family function turned out to be her last time with the world. Her chirpy, cheerful, vibrant and charismatic nature found its way onscreen and off screen as well.

Before Madhuri Dixit came into the picture, Sridevi was the first female superstar! The first female superstar sridevi, as we can say! As we remember her for her legendary performances in Bollywood films, we also look back the dance numbers which were a rage in the day and are being recreated even today.

Here’s remembering this amazing diva through her top 20 best dance performances of Sridevi.

1. Hawa Hawaai - Mr. India-

For all those who woke up this Sunday morning to the new of her demise, the lines, “Bijli giraane main hun aayi, kehte hain mujhko Hawa Hawaai!” was the song playing in their heads. This is the quintessential Sridevi number which, even Vidya Balan could not do justice to in the recreated avatar. True, Bijli giraane wo thi Aayi! *sigh*

2. Na Jaane Kahan Se – Chaalbaaz–

Karan Johar once said how big a fan he was of Sridevi’s comic timing which is unparalleled. This song encapsulates just that! Her Charlie Chaplin style, expressions and the comedy she exhibited in the song made her an icon. “Kisi ke haath na aaegi ye ladki” became a national rage and Sridevi made history by becoming the first female superstar of Hindi cinema.

3. Naino mein sapna, Himmatwala–

The movie catapulted her to stardom with her first commercial success opposite Jeetendra. Her sultry moves in embroidered costumes, lavish sets, decorated matkas, and strong beats were no mean feat. The graceful and talented dancer that she was, Sridevi’s expressions in some stills from the song are unmatched to this day.

4. Mere haathon mein nau nau choodiyan –Chandni–

The song is still a rage in weddings. Back in the day, before peppy wedding numbers made their way in Bollywood with elaborate sets and loads of back-up dancers, Sridevi single-handedly, managed to create magic onscreen with this classic song sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Her child-like expressions, movements and graceful poise made things easier for people. Yash Chopra once recalled how excited Sridevi would get about the dance numbers in her films. Well, that did reflect in her performance.

5. Main teri dushman – Nagina–

The movie was a dud but it was Sridevi’s performance and her expressions in this song which made the song what it is today. Think of snakes and snake-charmers, and this beat comes to your mind instantaneously. Nobody could get the grooves as perfect as Sridevi, no matter how many stars attempt it today. Venom spilling from her eyes, fury radiating yet such sensuality projected onscreen, that was what made this song a legend.

6. Kate Nahin Kat Te - Mr. India–

Before Raveena Tandon gave us sensual saree moves, Sridevi had set the bar high already with this super sensual song from Mr India. A call to her lover, Shekhar Kapur, the director, was left awestruck by her performance and her shedding of all inhibitions at a time when actresses were not supposed to openly sexual. This opened the doors for other actresses to explore sensuality onscreen. But none could come closer to Sridevi.

7. Har kisiko nahi milta yahan pyar zindagi mein, Jaanbaaz -

The song was shot in a very different manner than most contemporary songs. Performing opposite Feroz Khan, Sridevi’s seductive moves in a red saree with a mic is unmatched. The song was remade but Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha could not do justice to this number.

8. Chandni O Meri Chandni – Chandni–

Sridevi also lent her voice to this peppy number from the iconic 1990 classic opposite Rishi Kapoor. Her childlike voice and her innocence are audible even in her voice. She was, truly, the facet of this movie and since has been the face for this song. Say Chandni and you see Sridevi.

9.  Morni baga maan, Lamhe–

This Lata Mangeshkar number from a controversial movie was an instant hit back in the day. The folk elements coupled with Sridevi’s solo moves still beckon those days when filmmakers experimented with new genres and actors gave those makers a chance.

10. Kabhi Main Kahoon Song | Lamhe –

A romantic number from this movie way ahead of its time depicting fraternal romance, Sridevi exceeded as a young girl who falls for a man 20 years her senior. She danced with exuberance opposite Anil Kapoor with grey hair. The song had a rain sequence too which sees her portraying a young girl in love and celebrating it without inhibitions.

11. Meri Bindiya – Lamhe–

Another number from Lamhe, the song was also a romantic number which saw her all decked up and dancing in anticipation of the future. She transforms from a petite actress to a bejewelled woman and loves the whole process. But its her innocent eyes which do the talking in this table beat number.

12.  Tu Mujhe Kabool - Khuda Gawah–

She performed oppiste megastar Amitabh Bacchhan in this film. The song is another mention of a woman’s unfettering love for her man in the face of her obstacles. Not an easy song to master, Sridevi mastered this song with her power-backed dance and her sordid expressions.

13.. Dhak Dhak Dil – Laadla–

A song sung in drunken stupor in a swimming pool, the song had the right mix of peppiness and naughtiness mixed in it. No wonder the kind of chemistry she shared with Anil Kapoor was one of its kind.

14. Dushman dil ka jo hai - Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja–

The movie was a disaster in every sense of the term with overtly grand sets and loads of extravagance thrown in. Yet it was Sridevi’s dance performances which sent people into a brief tizzy while they slept through much of the movie. Her eyes, as usual, did much of the talking. Who can ever beat that? No wonder Big B sent her a bouquet of flowers in admiration!

15. Main aisi cheez nahin – Khuda Gawah–

Sridevi’s ferocious avatar would lead even her leading men to sit up in awe. Big B was left visibly dumbstruck when he saw his leading lady give such a nuanced, tenacious performance. Too bad, both these stupendous actors collaborated in only 3 movies, out of which Khuda Gawah worked wonders at the box office.

16. Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaa Le – Sadmaa–

We all love this beautiful number from the movie. One of her quieter numbers, Sridevi stands out in it as a quaint, immature, childish girl. No other film depicts Sridevi in all her childlike glory as this film does. The song can put a smile on your face before the climax makes you cry in utter sorrow. Kamal Hassana and Sridevi looked amazing in the movie together.

17. Tu Na Ja Mere Badshah - Khuda Gawah–

yet another beautiful number from this epic film, Sridevi depicts sorrow and separation in its myriad forms in this song. With the beats in the background and Alka Yagnik’s voice, Sridevi reinvented herself and made the audiences fall in love with her all over again.

18. Tere Mere Hothon pe – Chandni–

Yet again, Lata Mangeshkar lends her voice to Sridevi in this ubiquitous romantic number shot in scenic beauty. Her saree-clad avatar was, in any way, famous with viewers.

19. Tere Pyar Ko Salaam – Gumrah–

One of her lesser known songs opposite Sanjay Dutt, Sridevi makes use of western costumes and foreign locations. Listen to the Jhankaar beats and you will know what makes it so sultry.

20. Navrai Majhi - English Vinglish–

This song proved she still got it! The best comeback film she could have asked for, Sridevi played the role which is a reality for many Indian women. A mother to grown-up kids, she dances in this wedding number like any of our mothers would. One would not be able to imagine watching her play a quintessential housewife, that she was the reigning queen of Bollywood and a dancing diva at her best.

These are the best hits of Sridevi, We are yet to come to terms with her sad demise at such a young age! Who can ever replace her? It’s a void never to be filled! Rest in peace, Khwabon ki Shehzadi!

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