The scintillating dance numbers of Katrina Kaif – Birthday special

Often looked at as an outsider, given her nationality and British accent, Katrina Kaif has come long way in Hindi cinema. As an actress, she still faces criticism for her acting skills (or lack thereof), but she has to her credit numerous rollicking dance numbers. After a slow start with Boom (2003), the actress has proved her mettle through her dance tracks.

As Katrina Kaif turns 34 today (16 July), we look at some scorching dance numbers she has featured in over the years.

'Chikni Chameli' – Agneepath (2012)

She has her critics, but this was one occasion when Katrina Kaif blew everyone away. She did a special appearance as Chikni Chameli in the Hrithik Roshan-starrer Agneepath. The song was a remake of the Marathi track 'Kombadi Palaali'. Amitabh Bhattacharya penned the Hindi lyrics that had a desi daaru bar feel, thanks to all those pauwa shots. Shreya Ghoshal did a good job as singer, but the track clearly belongs to Kaif, who aced the breathtaking desi steps that Ganesh Acharya choreographed.

'Kamli' – Dhoom 3 (2013)

The lone bright spot in an otherwise overrated action drama Dhoom 3 is Katrina Kaif's performance in the 'Kamli' song. Pritam’s music, Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics, and Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice made for an exemplary combination. It is hard to take your eyes off the acrobatic dance-cum-striptease act by Kaif.

'Sheila Ki Jawani' – Tees Maar Khan (2010)

Katrina Kaif has worked with almost all the male superstars in the Hindi film industry, and, as usual, the praise for the success of the films went to them. Kaif needed something she could claim and director-choreographer Farah Khan gave her 'Sheila Ki Jawani'. Kaif stated that Farah Khan presented her with DVDs of Madhuri Dixit's movies so that she could study them.

'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri' – Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009)

This is the film when the reel love story culminated into a real romance between Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor. No wonder their chemistry rocked in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Pritam composed some of the finest romantic numbers for this film – 'Tera Hone Laga Hoon' and 'Tu Jaane Na', among others. Kaif and Kapoor let their hair down for the party number 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri'. Love makes you blind, do crazy things. Kaif and Kapoor were at their crazy best grooving to the fast-paced party track.

'Khwab Dekhe (Sexy Lady)' – Race (2008)

Race had another popular song 'Zara Zara', but Kaif enjoyed dancing to the tune of 'Khwab Dekhe'. The song was an ideal mix that brought together the old and the new styles of singing in Hindi cinema. Monali Thakur’s singing was reminiscent of singers from the golden era. Kaif was not perfect as a dancer, but she easily outpaced her co-star Saif Ali Khan. It remains one of Kaif’s most popular dance tracks.

'Teri Ore' – Singh is Kinng (2008)

This number didnt need an energetic performance by Kaif, making it quite a misfit in this list. 'Teri Ore', however, has Kaif at her slow-paced best.

'Madhubala' – Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)

This song captures the fun and frolic of an Indian festival. Sreeram Chandra and Ali Zafar, who also acted in the film, deserve much of the credit for this rollicking number. Shweta Pandit was the voice of Kaif. Such tracks are not about choreogprahy. All you want is to simply leave all the worries behind, pop some bhang, and dance like there is no tomorrow. Kaif surely had a ball being the Madhubala in this track.

Bang Bang! (2014) title song

A Vishal-Shekhar special that rekindled memories of American electro-pop music in the 1980s. Benny Dayal and Neeti Mohan crooned their hearts out. The song didn’t have great choreography, but this was the first time Kaif matched steps with Hrithik Roshan (who has described the song as his tribute to his inspiration, Michael Jackson). In an interview with the Press Trust of India news agency, Kaif described her experience saying, "Dancing with Hrithik was the biggest challenge. His flexibility is incredible. It is at a different level altogether."

'Nachde Ne Saare' – Baar Baar Dekho (2016)

Though the film didn’t work, Baar Baar Dekho presented some delightful tracks, none more endearing than 'Nachde Ne Saare', crooned by Jasleen Royal, Harshdeep Kaur and Siddharth Mahadevan. After 'Chikni Chameli', Ganesh Acharya choreographed some unconventional, some conventional desi moves for the dancing queen.

'Ullu Ka Pattha' – Jagga Jasoos (2017)

Having lost their valuables, Jagga (Ranbir Kapoor) and Shruti (Kaif) resort to street dancing to earn cash. Kaif and Kapoor are seen doing some cute, freestyle dance moves. In one of them, it must have called for great strength and flexibility for Kaif to lean on Kapoor’s knee. There is a cheerful, childlike madness on display in the choreography.