REMO D’SOUZA,
Legendary choreographer Saroj Khan died of a cardiac arrest on Friday, at the age of 71. She had been in Mumbai’s Guru Nanak Hospital since June 17 after she complained of breathing trouble. ‘Masterji’ to all, Khan choreographed over 2,000 songs in her over 40-year career, winning three National Awards.
Born Nirmala Nagpal, Khan started her career as a child artiste in Bollywood and joined a dance troupe at the age of 10. She started her career in choreography at the age of 13, when she became an assistant to well-known dance director B Sohanlal. Her first break as an independent choreographer came in Geeta Mera Naam (1974). However, she only got major acclaim in the ’80s, after choreographing Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit Nene in Mr India (1987) and Tezaab (1988), respectively. In fact, her association with the two actors produced many of Bollywood’s biggest hits. She is survived by her husband, son Hamid and daughters Hina and Sukyna.
Choreographer-filmmaker I had a close relationship with Saroj ji. I had danced under her and she danced in my film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2013). We choreographed the Kalank song, Tabaah Ho Gaye, together, which was her last. She changed the way Indian dances were used in cinema.