Mumbai: Renowned dancer and actress Madhumati, remembered for her expressive dance performances and graceful presence in Hindi cinema, passed away at her Juhu home in Mumbai on Wednesday morning due to age-related causes. She was 84.

Born in Thane in 1941 as Hutoxi Reporter, the daughter of a Parsi judge, Madhumati began her artistic journey against family opposition. Her first film role came in Zameen Ke Taare, where she played the strict mother of Honey Irani. Over the decades, her unmatched rhythm and versatility — whether performing Kathak or modern Western styles — earned her recognition as one of Hindi cinema’s most accomplished dancers.

She appeared in several iconic songs, including Jhanak jhanak tori baje payaliya (Mere Huzoor), Le de saiyyan odhni (Pavitra Paapi), and Tere naina talaash karein jise (Talaash). Often compared to Helen for her screen charisma, Madhumati shared the frame with many of the era’s dance stalwarts, including Gopi Krishna.

At 19, she married dancer and choreographer Manohar Deepak, known for his work in Punjabi Bhangra numbers in classic Hindi films such as Naya Daur. Their marriage was arranged with the help of actress Nargis. The couple ran a dance academy in Juhu, where Madhumati trained several future Bollywood stars, including Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Tabu, and Sonam Kapoor.

Akshay Kumar paid an emotional tribute on Thursday, saying, “My first and forever guru. Everything I know about dance, I learnt at your feet, Madhumati ji. Har adaa, har expression mein aapki yaad hamesha saath rahegi.”

Journalist and close associate Chaitanya Padukone shared that Madhumati passed away peacefully in her sleep. “She had no ailments, but age was catching up with her. She lived alone with her caretaker and house help after her husband passed away,” he said.

Madhumati’s life and work bridged the artistic vibrancy of the 1950s with the stylistic evolution of later decades. Known for bringing classical depth to mainstream cinema, her choreography often combined technical mastery with emotional storytelling.

Apart from her Hindi film career, Madhumati also appeared in the Marathi film Savli Premachi, produced alongside her husband and featuring cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Their dance troupe performed for Indian soldiers through Sunil Dutt’s Ajanta Arts initiative, blending performance with patriotism.

Despite not having children of her own, Madhumati was deeply devoted to her stepchildren and students, many of whom recall her as a strict but nurturing mentor.

Her final on-screen appearance was a cameo as Mukri’s lively partner Bijli Bai in Amar Akbar Anthony, marking the end of a prolific and expressive film journey.