Gallery- The Evolution Of Cabaret In Bollywood!

Credited in films as Cuckoo, she was probably the first cabaret dancer that Indian cinema had. She was an Anglo-Indian dancer, who shot to fame in the 40s and 50s. She earned the title “rubber girl”, thanks to her moves. She established herself with the film Anokhi Ada. Her incredible skills made Cabaret She appeared on screen for the last time in 1963 alongside family friend Helen, whom she introduced in Bollywood in 1951.

Helen defined Cabaret in Bollywood. She got her big break in 1957 with the film Howrah Bridge. Her performance made her name synonymous to Cabaret dancing. She made a number of songs memorable like Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja, Yeh Mera Dil to name a few. She officially retired in 1983, but continued to make guest appearances in movies!

She swayed to Hungama Ho Gaya and Mera Naam Shabnam and etched the song forever in the hearts of the audience. She was a contemporary and the strongest competitor to Helen.

The Indian-Arabian born in Syria stepped into Bollywood in 1965 with Zindagi Aur Maut. Her claim to fame was as the Cabaret dancer in The Jewel Thief. She was typecast as an excellent Cabaret dancer, something that she hated! In fact she never learnt dancing. She retired in 1984 after Gold Metal.

She made her entry into Bollywood as a child artist but soon shot to fame as a cabaret dancer with her killing moves in Chadhti Jawani song from Caravan, which release in 1971. She was also an excellent actress.

She is the sexy actress who raised the mercury levels in the song Chhaila Babu from Kati Patang.

The actress also sizzled as a Cabaret dancer. She danced in the Great Gambler.

The actress, who was known for excellent acting skills, also proved that she can be a sexy cabaret dancer when she danced in An Evening In Paris

Rekha sizzled with her expressions and beauty and her moves. She performed cabaret in songs like Pal Pal Botal Chalke in Saaz Aur Sanaam(1971)

Not many would know but Rakhee performed a cabaret in the movie Sharmilee where she did a double role.

She performed a cabaret dance in Phool Aur Pathar.

Who can forget Bebo recreating Helen in the remake of Don. She sizzled in Yeh Mera Dil song.

Yeah, even she did a cabaret in the movie I Am!

Remember the Kaatilana song in the remake of Zanjeer?

The actress performed this dance form her debut movie Game.

She too recreated Helen and danced on Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.

She performed a cabaret in her debut movie, Om Shanti Om. And man, she was fabulous!

Remember the song Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke song in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi? Lara Datta played yeateryear cabaret queen Helen in the song.

She enthralled all with her cabaret performance to the song Calcutta Kiss in Detective Byomkesh Bakshi.

The versatile actress proved her versatility by simply perfecting the cabaret dance in Asalam-e-Isqum in Gunday.

The actress played a jazz singer in Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet and her performances were surrounded by cabaret dancers. She also performed a cabaret dance in Jhilmilati Ladkiyaan in Dil Dhadakne Do.

The actress would be playing a cabaret dancer in the movie Cabaret. She looks absolutely sexy in this avatar.