Madhuri Dixit () (born Madhuri Shankar Dixit on May 15, 1967) is an Indian Bollywood actress. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and accomplished dancers. She appeared in numerous commercial successes and was recognised for several performances as well as dance numbers in various films. Dixit is often cited by the media as one of the most prominent female actresses in Bollywood. In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.

Early life

Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and wanted to be a microbiologist. She is an accomplished Kathak dancer and trained for eight years.

Film career