Choreographer Saroj Khan passes away at 71

Legendary choreographer Saroj Khan passed away in Mumbai on Friday. The three time National Award winner choreographed nearly 2,000 songs

S aroj Khan and I shared a great bonding; she choreographed all the songs in my film, Tango Charlie, starring Ajay Devgn and Bobby Doel, and also in Mukhbiir. Her creativity was grounded and the best part was that she reflected the essence of the lyrics in her dance moves. Once, I remember, she was very strict with Tanishaa Mukerji, making her rehearse several times. I asked Saroj Khan to go easy on her, but she said that she had also worked with Tanisha’s mother Tanuja, and would not rest until Tanisha got it to perfection. Sometimes, she would sit in a chair on the sets with half-closed eyes; we would think that she was sleeping, but she would actually be watching.

— Mani Shankar, filmmaker