Saroj Khan’s iconic dance numbers
The Bollywood choreographer died on Friday following a cardiac arrest
Indian National Award-winning choreographer Saroj Khan’s ingenuity and mastery over dance can be best understood through the songs that she worked on. She’s the sum of all these hit songs. Here’s a look at the dance number that Khan injected life and verve into. These songs would not have the same recall value if the dance moves weren’t as memorable …
‘DOLA RE’ (DEVDAS)
To have two beautiful and consummate actors like Madhuri Dixit Nene and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan share the frame for a dance sequence would have been daunting for many choreographers, but Saroj Khan made the most of it. She came up with classical dance that showcased each actor’s strengths and beauty. There was kathak-inspired steps aplenty. According to Bollywood folklore, Rai Bachchan’s ears were bleeding due to the heavy ethnic earrings, but she soldiered on.
The song was set against the backdrop of Durga Puja celebrations and Dixit Nene and Rai Bachchan who played Chandramukhi and Parvati in this film put their best foot forward. This song had beautifully synchronised classical moves. Khan earned a National Award for this dance number.
DHAK DHAK (BETA)
To watch Madhuri Dixit Nene thrust her chest in an orange, embroidered bustier may not find many takers today, but there was something alluring and adorable about Khan’s orchestrated dance moves in this sensuous number.
While you may have to discard a few steps such as Dixit Nene crawling sensuously on the ground, it was the impossible dance steps that made this song memorable. Even though some of the moves may make you raise your eyebrows, there’s still some fun to be had in this dance.
HAWA HAWAAI (MR INDIA)
This song is proof that Khan designed steps keeping in mind the character and the actor on whom the song is being featured on. This song, with Sridevi with cascading curly hair and a figure-hugging golden gown, was meant to be cheeky and fun and Khan bottled up the essence with her crafty moves. Sridevi’s expressions were as interesting as her dance moves.
EK DO TEEN (TEZAAB)
It’s no secret that Khan brought out the best in Dixit Nene. According to reports, they rehearsed for 16 days for the song and it was shot over a week. On the last day, they pulled in a 24-hour shift. But their hard work seems to have paid off. This dance-fuelled song — where Dixit Nene’s character is on stage dancing in front of a lusty crowd — became a turning point for her.
“The Ek Do Teen song turned the tables for me. Every producer wanted me to do a dance number in his or her film… We were shooting a song for Tridev. There were three actresses including Sonam and me. Sonam was a bigger star and so, she was made to stand in the centre for half the song. But as soon as Ek Do Teen became a hit, the producer changed our positions. I was in the centre,” said Dixit Nene in an earlier interview. This song is a prime example of Dixit and Khan’s successful collaborations.
CHOLI KE PEECHE (KHAL NAYAK)
The lyrics of this song was risque and sexually-charged, but the dance moves designed by Khan didn’t exacerbate the raunchy lyrics. Khan made Dixit Nene look graceful even when dancing to a song with words that were racy.
NIMBOODA (HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM)
To watch Rai Bachchan sing about the tartness of a lemon through a series of dance moves is what made this song tick. From her expressions to her enthusiastic moves, there is a lot to love in this sprightly dance number in the romance Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
This song was crucial to the narrative of this love triangle. It’s the dance scene where Ajay Devgn’s character falls in love instantly with Nandini (Rai Bachchan) after watching her dance. Khan made this feisty come alive with some interesting and intricate classical moves.
TAMMA TAMMA LOGE (THAANEDAR)
Even Varun Dhawan and Ali Bhatt — who featured in the modern, re-mixed version — couldn’t do justice to the original that featured Dixit Nene. All credit is due to Khan for making this catchy song all about her fluid dance moves. If you thought doing the dab was cool, try nailing her intricate dance steps in this one.
YEH ISHQ HAI (JAB WE MET)
If you are in the mood to see a sweet dance number about the trials and triumphs of love, then be sure to check out Khan’s Yeh Ishq Hai. Kareena Kapoor Khan is a portrait of grace as she chirpily talks about how glorious being in love is. Her expressions are as arresting as the dance moves. This song earned Khan her third National Award honour.