Famous Indian Dancers

Nora Fatehi is a popular figure in the Indian film industry. Although born and raised in Canada. Nora has worked in Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi language films. She was part of one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever - Baahubali: The Beginning. Apart from appearing in films, she has also made a mark in the TV industry.

Nicknamed the Young Tiger and Jr. NTR, N. T. Rama Rao Jr. is the grandson of legendary Telugu actor-politian N.T. Rama Rao. A talented Kuchipudi dancer in his youth, he was a child actor, too. Now known for films such as Nannaku Prematho and Yamadonga, he also won two Filmfare Awards.

Born Prabhu Sundaram, Prabhu Deva soared to fame with the song Mukkabla from Kadhalan. Born to a movie choreographer father, he followed in his footsteps to learn classical dance at an early age. The Padma Shri- and two-time National Award-winning dancer later gravitated to acting and direction.

Pawan Kalyan is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, stunt coordinator, politician, and philanthropist. Best known for his work in the Telugu film industry, Pawan Kalyan is one of the most popular actors of his generation. He is also known for his humanitarian work; he is credited with establishing a charitable organization called Common Man Protection Force.

With two royal lineages, Aditi Rao Hydari is the great-granddaughter of Akbar Hydari, the PM of colonial Hyderabad. Trained in Bharatanatyam since childhood, she grew up to deliver award-winning performances in movies such as Yeh Saali Zindagi and Padmaavat. She was also secretly married at 21 but separated later.

Hema Malini is an Indian actress, writer, director, dancer, producer, and politician. She was one of the leadings actresses of Hilndi films during 1970s and 1980s. Hema Malini is also known for her association with social causes; she is a supporter of organizations like PETA India. Her life and career have inspired three biographical books so far.

The quintessential item girl of Bollywood, Malaika Arora is known for her sultry looks and dance moves. She has the reputation of drawing audiences into theatres despite appearing in just one song in the entire film. Malaika Arora ended her 18 years old marriage to actor Arbaaz Khan in 2017. 

Raghav Juyal is an Indian dancer, actor, and television presenter. He is best known for reinventing and popularizing the Slow Motion Walk dance move in India. He is nicknamed King of Slow Motion for his unusual dance moves that look like a slow-motion video clip. He has appeared in many Indian dance films like ABCD 2 and Street Dancer 3D.

Sanjeeda Sheikh is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Hindi television industry. Over the years, Sanjeeda Sheikh has cemented her position as one of the most beautiful, popular, and talented actresses in the television industry. Also renowned for her dancing skills, she has won dance reality competition shows like Nach Baliye 3 and Zara Nachke Dikha 2.

Apart from being a fine actor, Amala Akkineni is also a talented Bharatnatyam dancer. A true animal lover, she has also co-established the NGO Blue Cross of Hyderabad. She gained recognition with her debut in Mythili Ennai Kaathali. She is now married to legendary actor Nagarjuna.

Shobana is an Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and film actress. Widely regarded as one of the best Bharatanatyam dancers, Shobana was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2006. She is also renowned for her acting skills, winning two National Film Awards for Best Actress for her performances in Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Mitr, My Friend (2001).

Celebrated choreographer Remo D'Souza was a skilled athlete in his school days and quit studies after the 12th standard. The self-taught dancer revered Michael Jackson in his younger days. His choreography in Bajirao Mastani won him a National Award. He has also judged several seasons of Dance India Dance.

Asha Parekh is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Hindi film industry. Parekh was one of the most successful and highest-paid actresses of the 1960s and 1970s. She is also regarded as one of the most influential Bollywood actresses of all time. In 1992, she was honored with India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.

Javed Jaffrey is an Indian comedian, actor, and dancer best known for his work in Hindi television shows and films. He is also known for his contribution as a voice-over artist; he was the narrator of the Hindi version of the popular Japanese game show Takeshi's Castle. 

Revathi was discovered by director Bharathi Raja when he chanced upon a photo of hers, clicked at a school fashion show and later featured on a magazine cover. The three-time National Award-winning actor is known for movies such as Mitr, My Friend and Thevar Magan. She is also a talented Bharatanatyam dancer.

Kavya Madhavan made her film debut with Malayalam film Chandranudikkunna Dikhil as a ninth-grader. The Kerala State Film Award-winning actor later soared to fame with films such as Gaddama. She owns a charitable foundation and a textile shop. She has also released a collection of memoirs.

Popular Indian dancer and actor Sudha Chandran was a phenomenal dancer since her early years. She was 16 when she lost her right leg after developing gangrene, following an accident. Sudha continued to perform, wearing a prosthetic leg, and went on win a National Award for the film Mayuri.

While she initially made her mark as Charu in the soap Kahin To Hoga and as Kasak in Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Surveen Chawla later stepped into films with movies such as Hate Story 2 and Himmatwala. She also won a IFFLA award for her performance in Parched.

Along with her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, Padmini was part of the Travancore sisters of the 1940s’ South Indian film industry. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, she later won a Filmfare award for the Hindi movie Kajal and a Filmfare nomination for Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai.

Gracy Singh is an Indian actress best known for portraying the role of Gauri in the 2001 musical sports film Lagaan. She then went on to play another prominent role in the popular comedy-drama film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. Gracy Singh is also a trained Odissi and Bharatnatyam dancer. 

Padma Shri- and Padma Bhushan-winning classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai received a unique education, having been part of both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Shantiniketan. She specialized in Bharatnatyam and Kathakali, and later launched her own dance academy, along with her physicist husband Vikram Sarabhai.

Manju Warrier is an Indian actress, producer, director, dancer, and singer known for her work in the Malayalam film industry. One of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, Warrier has received many awards like Filmfare Awards South, Kerala State Film Award, and a National Film Award. She is a founding member of an organization named Women in Cinema Collective.

Vikrant Massey is an Indian actor best known for his association with the Hindi film and TV industry. Apart from appearing in films and TV series, Massey has also played important roles in several short films and web series. In 2008, Vikrant Massey was honored with the GR8! Face of the Year Award at the Indian Telly Awards.

Along with her younger sister, Shantipriya, Bhanupriya rocked the Tamil and Telugu film industries in the 1980s and the 1990s. The three-time Nandi Award winner is known for hits such as Swarnakamalam and Chatrapati. She bagged her debut film, Mella Pesungal, after impressing director Bharathi Raja with her dance skills.

Saroj Khan was an Indian dancer and choreographer best remembered for her work in Hindi cinema. The first female choreographer in Bollywood, Khan choreographed over 3000 movie songs in an illustrious career spanning more than four decades. Saroj Khan was honored with several prestigious awards, including three National Film Awards under the Best Choreography category.

Rukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian dancer and choreographer. An exponent of Bharatanatyam, Rukmini Devi helped revive the original sadhir style of the dance form. She also popularized Bharatanatyam among Indian upper-caste elites for which she was named in India Today's 100 People Who Shaped India list. In 1956, Rukmini Devi Arundale was honored with the Padma Bhushan.

Sukumari was an Indian actress known for her contribution to Tamil and Malayalam films. One of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, Sukumari acted in over 2,500 films in a career that spanned over 50 years. In 2003, she was honored with the Padma Shri. In 2011, she won the National Film Award for her performance in Namma Gramam. 

Birju Maharaj was an Indian dancer and singer. An exponent of the popular classical dance form Kathak, he was one of the most celebrated Kathak dancers ever. He won many prestigious awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar, and India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.

Mallika Sarabhai is an Indian classical dancer, activist, and actress. She is best known as the daughter of prominent space scientist Vikram Sarabhai. An accomplished Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, Mallika Sarabhai uses the dance forms to bring about a social change. She is the recipient of Gujarat's prestigious Gaurav Puraskar and India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.

Debashree Roy is an Indian dancer, choreographer, actress, animal rights activist, and politician. Best known for her work in the Bengali film industry, Debashree Roy has won several awards like the National Film Award. She is credited with establishing the Debasree Roy Foundation, which aims at helping stray animals.

Vineeth is an Indian classical dancer, actor, choreographer, and voice artist. He is renowned for playing important roles in many south Indian movies, especially Malayalam and Tamil films. A celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer, Vineeth is the recipient of many prestigious awards, such as the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government.   

Meenakshi Seshadri is an Indian former actress, dancer, and model. A former beauty queen, Meenakhsi Seshadri became one of the leading Bollywood actresses during the 1980s and 1990s. After retiring as an actress, Meenakshi Seshadri started running Cherish Dance School in the USA. Her life and work inspired a documentary titled Meenakshi Accept Her Wings which was released in 2006.

Apart from being a talented Bharatnatyam dancer, Sukanya has also made her mark as an actor in South Indian films. She won a Filmfare for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Innathe Chintha Vishayam. She has also appeared in series and has released two devotional albums.

Zohra Sehgal was an Indian dancer, choreographer, and actress. Regarded as one of the most prominent Indian dancers of all time, Zohra Sehgal influenced and inspired several aspiring Indian dancers and actresses. She had won several prestigious honors, such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.

Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, and choreographer. Best known for his work in the Telugu film industry, Rao is one of the most bankable directors of Telugu cinema ever. His contribution has been honored with several prestigious awards, such as Nandi Awards, Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards, and IIFA Awards. 

Vyjayanthimala is an Indian actress and dancer who played a major role in the Hindi film industry during the 1950s and 1960s. One of the most popular actresses of all time, Vyjayanthimala is also known for her contribution to South Indian movies. She is the recipient of several awards, including Filmfare Awards and Lifetime Achievement Awards at International film festivals.   

Muktha is an Indian actress best known for her work in the Tamil and Malayalam film and television industries. Apart from being an actress, Muktha is also an entrepreneur and a classical dancer. Her performance in her debut Tamil movie Thaamirabharani earned her a nomination at the Vijay Awards.

Pallavi Sharda is an Australian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. Sharda, who is of Indian origin, has appeared in many Indian films in addition to playing important roles in Australian films. Pallavi Sharda was featured in the 40 most influential Asian Australians list at the first Asian-Australian Leadership Summit in 2019.

Krishna Vamsi is an Indian film producer, director, and choreographer best known for his work in the Telugu film industry. Vamsi is credited with directing and producing critically acclaimed as well as successful films. His efforts have been honored with four Nandi Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, and two National Film Awards so far.

Maria Goretti is an Indian video jockey who has hosted several popular shows. She was interested in music and performing from an early age and often participated in school and college programs. She went on to become a famous VJ on MTV and has also hosted shows on other channels. She is married to actor Arshad Warsi. 

Lakshmi Gopalaswamy is an Indian classical dancer and actress. Best known for her work in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films, Gopalaswamy has won many prestigious awards like Kerala State Film Awards, Karnataka State Film Awards, and Filmfare Awards South. An exponent of Bharatanatyam, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy has also appeared on TV as a judge for a dance show titled Thakadhimi.

Kalaranjini is an Indian classical dancer and actress best known for her work in the Tamil and Malayalam film and TV industries. She is also known as the older sister of popular actresses Kalpana and Urvashi. Kalaranjini achieved popularity in the 1980s when she was regarded as one of the most successful actresses.