/> 1. Nagin (1954) - A tale of snakes and snake charmers. But we were not charmed by the snakes but by Vyjanthimala's astonishing dance moves in Hemant Kumar's mesmerizing songs like Man dole mera tan dole, Jaadugar saiyyan and Sun rasiya man basiya. Nandlal Jaswantlal's film was a 12-song extravaganza bolstered by the bewitching Vyjanthi. Audiences threw coins at the actress' graceful sensuous moves. A star was born.

2. Devdas (1955) - Many think Vyjanthimala's Chandramukhi was far superior to Madhuri Dixit's portrayal in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas. This was a role that no actress was willing to touch, as Suchitra Sen's Paro was seen as the leading lady. Vyjanthimala took it on as a challenge and never regretted it. Bimal Roy let her dance and emote to her heart's content. She refused to accept the Best Supporting actress award.


3. New Delhi (1956) - Long before Chennai Express here was an absolutely delightful comedy about a Tamil girl and her Punjabi tenant. Mohan Segal who discovered Rekha directed.

4. Naya Daur (1957) - A thoughtprovoking film about the industrial revolution where Vyjanthimala danced to O P Nayyar's evergreen Punjabi flavoured numbers with graceful gusto. The role was handed down to Vyjanthi after Madhubala refused to work with Dilip Kumar. That is ok. Vyjanthimala later opted out of Ram Aur Shyam making way for Mumtaz.


5. Sadhana (1958) - One of Vyjanthimala's best performances as a scheming money-minded prostitute who has a change of heart when she poses as a kind, scholarly man's wife to please his mother.

From sizzling seductively to the Mujra Kahoji tum kya kya kharidoge to expressing the profound angst of an exploited woman in the song Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko, Vyjanthi traversed the entire spectrum of emotions effortlessly. No wonder she is regarded as the best actress ever by Hema Malini, Raakhee and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

6. Madhumati (1958) - The tale of a mysterious girl, an instant passion, reincarnation and revenge, Madhumati was a milestone in Vyjanthi's career. She got a rare chance to play a double role and she did full justice to both parts.


7. Gunga Jumna (1961) - This was an out-and-out Dilip Kumar starrer. But Vyjanthi made space for herself. As the sprightly Dhanno she sprinkled effervescence into the proceedings. When she danced to Dhundo dhundo re balma we rejoiced with her. When she mourned the passing of love in Do hanson ka joda bichad gayo re we wept with her.


8. Sangam (1964) - Many Vyjanthimala fans regard this as her finest performance ever. Though she rates Ganga Jumna higher no one can take away from the strength and sensitivity with which she played a woman trapped between the love and loyalty of two friends. Oozing oomph and angst she filled the screen with her precious pulsating presence.


9. Amrapali (1966) - A period film chronicling the love of Magadh kind Ajaatshatru (Sunil Dutt) for the seductive Amrapali, the film is today recalled mainly for spawning the seductive mid-riff revealing 'Amrapali' costume which Vyjanthimala carried off with such seductive audacity.

But look beyond the stunning physical beauty of the actress, and her performance appears incredibly supple and resonant. Vyjanthi sighing to Tadap yeh dil raat ki is more seductive thn anything ever seen in Hindi cinema.


10. Jewel Thief (1967) - Playing the mysterious Shalini Vyjanthi knocked us senseless with her dancing in Hothon pe aisi baat. No actress could move with the lightning speed of Vyjanthimala. No actress could fill up the screen with such graceful voluptuousness.