Madhuri Dixit, Hema Malini and Aishwarya Rai: Meet Bollywood’s dancing divas

Vidya Balan is a powerhouse performer, known for her versatility and ability to create and shape each character she portrays with a certain brilliance. But did you know she is also an accomplished Kathak dancer? Vidya was trained by some of the best Kathak teachers, and you can tell in her moving the acting form to the character and that she genuinely enjoys it. Just watch her in "Bhul Bhulaiya" to get a sense of her Kathak trained body. The way she uses representation and embodiment to communicate expression is wondrous.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not just a Bollywood star and an international beauty icon; she is also a force in the world of Kathak. Aishwarya trained in classical dance forms like Kathak, and because of this, she embodies an ethereal beauty and grace in every facet of her performances on film. Remember her unforgettable dance numbers in the classic film, "Devdas"? How about her stunning performance in "Umrao Jaan?" Aishwarya makes the art of Kathak look simply beautiful and simply easy.

The dream girl of Bollywood, Hema Malini, is an institution of elegance and grace, both on-screen and off-screen. Though she is best known for being a remarkable actress, but is also a master Bharatanatyam dancer, having been trained by legends like Pandit Birju Maharaj. She has unbeatable skills in the art and when she plays Radha in Meera or any of the dazzling dancing sequences, she has presented the greatness of Kathak. The way she has intertwined acting and dancing has made her a fitting recipient of being a Bollywood legend.

It's impossible to mention Bollywood and dance and not think of Madhuri Dixit, the quintessential "Dhak Dhak Girl." Madhuri's legacy is not only about fabulous music but also about describing her as the queen of Kathak, which she has been training in since she was a child. You can see her commitment to the dance form in every single beautifully held position and the way she uses her body to convey a story. Madhuri was simply breathtaking in her performance as Chandramukhi in 'Devdas', it was no surprise that she was given the name "Kathak ki Murti" (the embodiment of Kathak) by the great choreographer Birju Maharaj.

Shruti Haasan is trained in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam classical dance forms but also utilizes her classical training and draws from that investment in her persona when she performs in a more edgy way. She is trained as a singer as well and often gives her followers glimpses of her singing/jamming sessions on Instagram.