DEMISE OF SAROJ KHAN

DEMISE OF SAROJ KHAN

The Legendary Saroj Khan was born with the name Nirmala Kishanchand Sadhu Singh Nagpalon 22 November 1948 in Bombay(present-day Maharashtra).Her parents had migrated to India after partition took place in 1947. She was one of the most well known and leading dance choreographers of India in the Hindi Film Industry.

MARRIED LIFE

At the age of 13, she was married to B.Sohanlal, her dance director, who was at the age of 41 with already 4 children and she was totally unaware of it. a year later she gave birth to her first child, today is known as Raju Khan(choreographer).In 1965, she separated from her husband.
When Sohanlal had a heart attack, they united again. She then gave birth to Hina Khan. Sohanlal left her with the two children to look after as a single mother. She later married a businessman named Sardar Roshan Khan in 1975 and was blessed with a daughter Sukaina Khan, who runs a dance institute in Dubai.

CAREER

She had a career span of over 40 years. She is known with various names some of which are “Masterji”-by her admirers and the audience for giving Iconic steps,” The Mother of Indian Dance/Choreography in India” –for choreographing over 2000 songs. The starting point of her career was at the age of three when she worked as a child name ‘Shyama’-sitting on the moon and singing in the film Nazrana. Eventually, she started working as a background dancer.
She had her first breakthrough in her career in the year 1974 with the movie “Geeta Mera Naam”.In 1975, she made her debut as an Independent choreographer in Gulzar’s Mausam. In 1983, she came to be known for her work in Subhash Ghai’s Hero.
She choreographed the actors known especially for their dance-like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit(especially the songs-Ek Do Teen, Tamma Tamma Loge, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga) and Late Sridevi( songs like-Hawa Hawai in “Mr. India” and in movies like Nagina and Chandni). Sridevi’s Nagin dance bought Saroj Khan to more notice and then came the song “Choli ke Peeche”.

MOVIES IN WHICH SHE CHOREOGRAPHED IN BOLLYWOOD

Ø Hero(1983)
Ø Nagina(1986)
Ø Mr.India(1987)
Ø Tezaab(1988)
Ø Nigahein(1989)
Ø Chandni(1989)
Ø Sailab(1990)
Ø Awargi(1990)
Ø Beta(1992)
Ø Yarana(1995)
Ø Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Ø Pardes(1997)
Ø Aur Pyar Ho Gaya(1997)
Ø Soldier(1998)
Ø Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam(1999)
Ø Taal(1999)
Ø Fiza(2000)
Ø Lagaan(2001)
Ø Devdas(2002)
Ø Saathiya(2002)
Ø Kuch Na Kaho(2004)
Ø Swades(2004)
Ø Veer-Zara(2004)
Ø Mangal Pandey(2005)
Ø Fanaa(2006)
Ø Don(2006)
Ø Sanwaria(2007)
Ø Guru(2007)
Ø Namaste London(2007)
Ø Jab We Met(2007)
Ø Delhi-6(2009)
Ø Gulaab Gang(2014)
Ø Tanu Weds Manu Returns(2015)
Ø Manikarnika(2019)
Ø Kalank(2019)

She is seen to have inspired kids through her television dance reality shows as a judge like that of-

Ø ”Nach Baliye”(2005) on Star One and
Ø ‘Ustaadon ka Ustaad’ on Sony Entertainment Television.
She has also appeared as a judge alongside others in shows like
Ø “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa”(2009,3^rdSeason)
Ø “Boogie Woogie”(2008)

She even hosted her own dance show –“Nachle Ve” with Saroj Khan(2008) on NDTV imagine. She has also appeared as a judge in a dance competition in the show-Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma. In 2014, she worked alongside Madhuri Dixit in the Movie-Gulaab Gang.

A documentary was also released by Nidhi Tuli on her story in the year 2012, produced by PSBT and Films Division of India.

Not only as a choreographer, she has worked as a writer too for movies like–

Ø Khiladi
Ø Veeru Dada
Ø Hum Hain Bemisaal
Ø Chhote Sarkar
Ø Dil Tera Diwana
Ø Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya
Ø Benaam
Ø Khanjar
Ø Nazar Ke Samne
Ø Daava
Ø Judge Mujrim
Ø Bhai Bhai

NATIONAL FILM AWARDS–

She received three awards in the “Best Choreography” category-

1.      In 2003-Dola Re Dola Song(Devdas)
2.      In 2006-All Songs of Tamil Movie(Sringaram)
3.      In 2008-Yeh Ishq Haaye(Jab We Met)

FILMFARE AWARDS

She won in the category of “Best Choreography” consistently from 1989 to 1991. She was the firstone to get this award through the song “Ek Do Teen” in Tezaab and held the record of winning the “Best Choreographer” Award for the maximum times, which is 8.The Movies through which she won this award are-Guru, Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Khalnayak, Beta, Sailab, Chaalbaaz, Tezaab.

She won the American Choreography Awardfor achievement in the film-Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India.

She won the Nandi Award for her choreography in the movie-Choolani Vundi(1998).

DEATH

At the age of 71, she died on 3^rdJuly 2020 due to cardiac arrest. She was admitted to the Guru Nanak Hospital at Bandra, Mumbai on June 17,2020 due to breathing difficulties and was in the ICU.

CONCLUSION

The journey of Saroj Khan is inspiring for every individual who aspires to be a choreographer. Her work is legendary and she will always remain in our hearts. Especially, the ’90s have been golden years and her choreography to the songs is still danced on. The gesture of her giving a one rupee coin as shagun to a performer under her care will be missed. May her soul rest in peace.