The mother of dance & choreography in India Saroj Khan passes away
Legendary Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan died early on Friday morning due to cardiac arrest. She was 71. In a career spanning forty years, Saroj had choreographed for nearly 2000 songs.
Saroj Khan won three National Awards for Best Choreography for her work in the Aishwarya Rai – SRK starrer Bollywood film Devdas in 2003, Tamil film Sringaram – a period Tamil classic drama directed by Sharada Ramanathan featuring Aditi Rao Hydari for all songs in 2006 and a Hindi film Jab We Met.
Saroj started her career as a child artiste in the film Nazrana. Later she became a background dancer under the mentorship of dance-director B. Sohanlal and worked for few years. She then turned as an assistant choreographer and her first independent assignment came in Geeta Mera Naam in 1974. Saroj got noticed after she choreographed for Sridevi in Mr. India’s song Hawa Hawai in 1987.
Her most successful collaborations were with actors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit.
She worked with Sridevi in films like Nagina and Chandni. This was followed by her long-term partnership with Madhuri Dixit in the 1990s in chartbuster songs including Ek Do Teen, Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga, Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, and Tamma Tamma.
Besides Sringaram, Saroj Khan’s collaboration with Tamil films include Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar, which starred Mohanlal, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rajinikanth’s Thai Veedu and Suresh’s Kizhakku Africavil Sheela. Her last work was the song Tabaah Ho Gaye from Kalank in 2019.
Celebrities pouring in their tributes to the departed soul:
Madhuri Dixit:
I’m devastated by the loss of my friend and guru, Saroj Khan. Will always be grateful for her work in helping me reach my full potential in dance. The world has lost an amazingly talented person. I will miss you? My sincere condolences to the family. #RIPSarojji
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) July 3, 2020
Akshay Kumar:
Woke up to the sad news that legendary choreographer #SarojKhan ji is no more. She made dance look easy almost like anybody can dance, a huge loss for the industry. May her soul rest in peace ??
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 3, 2020
Taapsee Pannu:
Atleast I had a chance to dance in your company. I am going to hold on to those memories tight…. real tight.
❤️ we lose another star to the sky. Your songs will make every girl remember you for ever n ever. https://t.co/QWiG0FaP6j— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) July 3, 2020
