Kabir Singh BhandariInternational Dance Day: The Bollywood Edition

No way is this an exhaustive list, but here are some of the most pivotal moments in Bollywood history that defined the way the nation danced 

Kabir Singh Bhandari

Helen: Item numbers are a dime a dozen nowadays, all looking the same. But that wasn't the case when Helen was in her prime. Aged 19 years old when she got her first big break in Howrah Bridge (1958), performing the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, before which she was a group dancer in different films.

Post that, she was flooded with offers in the 60s and 70s, and the hit performances which she gave are too many to list, but  Piya Tu Ab To Aja from Caravan (1971) definitely stands out, considered as 'the' cabaret item number. 

Mithun: With Disco Dancer (1982), Mithun Chakraborty gave a hit whose popularity extended overseas, especially in the Soviet Union. Unlike Big B’s Angry Young Man, Jimmy fought the villains of the film with his dance moves, leading to several other disco films in the 80s. 

Madhuri: With the dance number Ek Do Teen in the action drama Tezaab (1988), Madhuri Dixit became a sensation overnight. With lyrics by Javed Akhtar, the girl playfully asks her lover to return before the month gets over. Add to that choreography by Saroj Khan and Madhuri's skills, and we had a chartbuster. 

Govinda: He burst onto the Bollywood dance scene with his debut Love 86 (1986). His dance style was difficult to match, as with time he matched it with a playful style that became his signature. And who can forget him dancing to Pak Chik Pak in Raja Babu (1994) wearing a Michael Jackson inspired black jacket. 

Jaaved: India was introduced to Jaaved Jaaferi's superb dancing skills with Meri Jung (1985), where he simultaneously played a villain. He showcased his skills in several other movies, like the forgotten Rock Dancer (1995) and gave us Boogie Woogie, the best Indian dance competition television series ever.

Karisma: Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) put three energetic dancers together: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor. While Madhuri and Karisma's dance off is spoken about, Karisma had given a number of fun dance performances in the 90s, What Is Mobile Number and Main Toh Raste Se Ja Raha Tha, both with Govinda, seem to be the most popular ones. 

Hrithik: The year was 2000. And Hrithik gave us probably Bollywood's most impressive dance in Ek Pal Ka Jeena from Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. But wait a minute, how can we forget Prabhudeva in Mukkabla from Kadhalan (1994), going invisible at the end of the dance?