IT Correspondent
Mumbai, July 3:
National Award winning choreographer Saroj Khan, who had honed the dancing skills of many actresses including Madhuri Dixit, passed away in the wee hours of 03 July, Friday, following cardiac arrest, at Guru Nanak Hospital at Bandra in North West Mumbai.
She was admitted to the hospital with breathing complaints on 17 June. She also suffered from diabetes. She had tested negative for coronavirus. The death came at 1.52 AM. She was 71 and is survived by her husband B. Sohanlal, son Hamid Khan ( choreographer Raju Khan) and daughters Hina Khan and Sukyna Khan.
Her mortal remains were taken to the Ahle Sunnat cemetery at Malad in North Mumbai, where her son Raju Khan performed last rites, in presence of family members. Burial took place in the cemetery near Malad Chowki.
Saroj Khan born as Nirmala Nagpal, joined the Indian film industry as a child artiste, playing the younger Shyama in “Nazarana”. She eventually became a background dancer in 1950s films like Bimal Roy’s “Madhumati” under the guidance of dance director B. Sohanlal. She married Sohanlal, when she was barely 13 years old and after they separated she tied the knot with Sardar Roshan Khan.
After assisting B Sohanlal, as a dance choreographer for a few years, her first independent work came in “Geeta Mera Naam” (1974). She got noticed after she choreographed for Sridevi in “Mr. India” (1987) ( featuring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi) in a song “Hawa Hawai”. She worked with Sridevi in films like “Nagina” and “Chandni”. This was followed by her long-term partnership with Madhuri Dixit in the 1990s in songs like “Ek Do Teen” (Tezaab) (1988)” “Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” (“Sailaab”) (1990), “Tamma Tamma”( Thanedaar) (1990). ”Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”(Beta) (1992) and “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” (Khal Nayak) (1993).
In a career spanning forty years, she choreographed nearly 2000 songs. Her most successful collaborations were with actresses Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi. He had also judged dance reality shows like “Nach Baliye”, “Ustaadon Ka Ustaad”, “Boogie Woogie” and “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa”.