"Ek Do Teen" featured in 1988 film Tezaab which proved to be Madhuri’s first claim to fame. The song was choreographed by Saroj Khan, sung by Alka Yagnik and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.
Before the release of the film, the song became a super hit, Looking to its popularity a male version of this song was included in the film after the release of the film. The song was driving people crazy. Ek Do. Teen...they hum from the shower to the office. From the office to the bedroom. And everywhere else in between. The film was released on 11th Nov 1988 and all the cinema halls all over India witnessed a huge crowd. It ran in theatres for more than 50 weeks, becoming a golden jubilee, and it was the highest blockbuster at the box office for the year 1988 The film's soundtrack album sold more than 8 million units, becoming the second best-selling Bollywood music album of 1988.
The iconic hook step by Madhuri Dixit in this song was the creation of the choreography genius Saroj Khan. She was the first recipient of the Filmfare Best Choreography Award. Filmfare instituted this award after watching the excellent choreography and audience response to Khan's song "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab.
This song and dance were unique in itself, till that time in Indian cinema it had never happened that dance is being performed on stage, but the audience isn’t sitting, they are standing the way the crowd stands on Pop concerts in the west. The director of the film N Chandra wanted Saroj to have such an atmosphere that the crowd going wild and tearing their clothes with excitement.
For this song, Madhuri Dixit had to rehearse for15 days This song was finally shot in front of a real crowd of 1000 people, everybody connected with this song was very proud that an iconic dance is in making.
In a recent tweet, Madhuri Dixit remembered the dance number and said, “The hook step became so popular at that time. I was shocked to know that people used to demand the song to be replayed in the theatres before the movie could continue & fling money on the screens. Everyone had started calling me Mohini.
This song was inspired by the opening bars of an old popular song "Chanda mama door ke" composed by the famous yesteryears music composer Ravi for the film Vachan.
It is almost 32 years completed of this song and its popularity is still there among the young generation. This song was recreated in the 2018 film Baghi 2.Now Jacqueline, dressed similarly in a pink and yellow skirt danced to the new version of the song.
Very recently Tiktok Users started a #EkDoTeenChallenge. Madhuri Dixit also joined TikTok to celebrate the momentous occasion with her fans, taking up the challenge herself to groove on her popular track with the community of over 200 million users. The #EkDoTeenChallenge clocked a phenomenal over 140 million views in just two days!
Song of Tezab 1988
Song of Tezab 1988 male version
Song of Baghi 2 (2018)