Saroj Khan (English: Saroj Khan, born- November 22, 1948; death- July 3, 2020) was a famous Indian choreographer. He worked in more than 200 films in his career. Saroj Khan has the credit of choreographing more than 2,000 songs in a career spanning four decades. Saroj Khan had received the “National Award” thrice for her choreography art. He received the ‘National Award’ for the choreography of the song ‘Dola-Re-Dola’ in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Devdas’.
Saroj Khan last choreographed the song ‘Tabah Ho Gaye’ in the film ‘Kalank’ made under Karan Johar’s production house. Madhuri Dixit was seen in this song. This film was released in 2019. He also received the National Award for the memorable item song ‘Ek-Do-Teen’ from Madhuri Dixit’s film ‘Tezaab’ and the song ‘Yeh Ishq…’ from the 2007 film ‘Jab We Met’.
Saroj Khan was born on 22 November 1948 in Mumbai, Maharashtra to Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Sadhu Singh. Saroj Khan choreographed for more than 200 films. Born as Nirmala, Saroj Khan’s family came to India after Partition. He started his career as a child artist at the age of three. For the first time she was seen as Shyama in the film ‘Nazarana’. After this, she continued working as a background dancer in the 1950s.
Saroj Khan did B.Sc. at the age of 13. Married Sohanlal, who was already married. Saroj Khan had told in an interview about her marriage that- “When I got married, I used to go to school. I did not know what marriage meant. One day Master Sohanlal tied a thread around her neck. She felt that there were many problems in her marriage. She came to know about this after the birth of her son Raju. she is 14 years old She gave birth to a second child in the year 1965. Her husband refused to name her children, however, due to a heart attack. Later, both of them were reunited and their daughter Kuku was born. Saroj Khan raised both of them alone.
She learned dance from her husband only. Her husband B. Sohanlal was a master of classical dances like Kathak, Manipuri, Kathakali, Bharatnatyam etc. After this, Saroj Khan herself set out to become a choreographer. After a few years of marriage, problems started arising in their relationship and B. Sohanlal left Saroj Khan forever and went to Madras. Saroj Khan married Sardar Roshan Khan for the second time and gave birth to a daughter. Currently his daughter runs a dance school in Dubai. Roshan Khan is a Muslim, due to which Saroj Khan also converted to Islam.
Famous choreographer Saroj Khan had once told in an interview to Pakistani TV that – “I had accepted Islam of my own free will and she follows the Muslim religion till today.”
Earlier Saroj Khan was an assistant choreographer. After this, she became an independent choreographer with the film ‘Geeta Mera Naam’ released in 1974.
The 1986 film ‘Nagina’ proved to be a milestone for Saroj Khan. In this film, Saroj Khan made Sridevi dance on the song ‘Main Teri Dushman’, which became a hit and because of this song Saroj got fame.
Saroj Khan choreographed the songs of many famous films like ‘Tezaab’, ‘Khalnayak’, ‘Mr India’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Nagina’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Devdas’.
There is hardly any big star in Bollywood who has not been made to dance by Saroj Khan. Saroj Khan, who made everyone dance to her tune, was known as ‘Dance Master’ in the entire country.
Saroj Khan got success from the song ‘Hawa-Hawai’ filmed on Sridevi in the film ‘Mr. India’. After this he never looked back. He had an important contribution in teaching dancing to dancing diva Madhuri Dixit. He received National Film Awards for choreography for 2002’s ‘Devdas’, 2006’s ‘Sringaram’ and 2007’s ‘Jab We Met’.
Saroj Khan also appeared as a judge in many reality shows. Which includes programs like Nach Baliye, Ustad Ke Ustad, Nach Le Ve with Saroj Khan, Boogie-Woogie, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Madhuri Dixit last worked with Saroj Khan in ‘Gulaab Gang’.
Famous film choreographer Saroj Khan died in Mumbai on July 3, 2020 due to cardiac arrest. She was unwell for the last few days. He was admitted to a hospital in Bandra. His Covid-19 test came negative.
Saroj Khan is considered a major reason behind making Madhuri Dixit a star. He choreographed the famous song ‘Ek Do Teen’ from Madhuri Dixit’s film ‘Tezaab’ released in 1988, after which Madhuri got recognition. Saroj Khan and Madhuri Dixit worked together in many songs, including ‘Chane Ke Khet Mein’, ‘Dola Re Dola’, ‘Dhak Dhak’, ‘Tamma Tamma’ and ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai’. Saroj Khan had last choreographed Madhuri Dixit’s song. The song ‘Tabah Ho Gaye’ from the film ‘Kanlak’ released in 2019 was choreographed by Saroj Khan, which featured Madhuri Dixit.
