Madhuri Dixit's rise to the top came as no real surprise. A million-dollar smile, stunning looks, curvaceous figure, electrifying screen presence and bags of talent to boot; it just had to happen. Although her career started off fairly low-key, the release of Tezaab (1988) soon propelled her to stardom. Then with Dil (1990) and Beta (1992), Madhuri snatched Sridevi's crown and became the undisputed Queen Bee. The unprecedented success of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) further consolidated her position and Madhuri picked up her last major Award in a leading role for Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai (1997).

Madhuri Dixit's sizzling dance numbers, 'Ek Do Teen', 'Dhak Dhak Karne Laga' and the controversial 'Choli Ke Peeche', are considered the epitome of Bollywood sensuality. This prompted some critics to suggest that Madhuri was more a dancer than an actor. Madhuri's response came in the form of highly-acclaimed performances in Mrityudand (1997), Lajja (2001) and Devdas (2002). In Devdas, Aishwarya Rai played the female lead but it was Madhuri who received the plaudits.

Now in her early 40s, married and mother of two young children, Madhuri's glamourous career as Bollywood's leading lady has come to an end. "Aaja Nachle" was a comeback of sorts, but her best days are clearly gone. In 2003, a film called Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (I want to be Madhuri Dixit) was released. The film is about a village girl who, like countless others across India, dreams of being the next Madhuri Dixit. But whoever takes over at the top, will be hard pressed to match the magic of Madhuri.