15 Facts About Saroj Khan, The Ace Choreographer Who Created Magic

Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan breathed her last of cardiac arrest in Mumbai. In her passing away, Bollywood film industry has lost one of its most beloved and respected dance choreographers. The magic she created with Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi would be incomplete without Saroj Khan.

Below are some lesser-known facts about the Saroj Khan:

1. Saroj Khan was born as Nirmala Nagpal on 22 November 1948 at Bombay State

Present day Maharashtra.

2. Her parents Late Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Sadhu Singh migrated from Pakistan after partition of India in 1947.

3. Started her career at the early age of 3

In the film Nazarana as child artist and also as a background dancer in the late 1950s.

4. Saroj Khan learnt dance work under choreographer B. Sohanlal

And shifted completely to choreography.

5. Got her break as an independent choreographer with Geeta Mera Naam in 1974.

6. Shot to fame for her work with Sridevi in “Hawa Hawai” in Mr India, 1987

Saroj waited many years to receive this acclaim.

7. No stopping back from then

Madhuri Dixit hit “Ek Do Teen” in Tezaab (1988), “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” in Beta (1992) made her super-hit.

8. Marriage breakup and children

Saroj Khan married her teacher B. Sohanlal at the age of 13. At that time Sohanlal was 41 years old and already married and had 4 children. She gave birth to her first child Hamid Khan at the age of 14, who is a famous choreographer by the name of Raju Khan.

In 1965 the couple got separated and reunited again when Sohanlal got heart attack. They had their second child Hina Khan. Later Sohanlal moved to Madras (now Chennai) leaving Saroj and his children.

Afterwards, Saroj tied the knot with Sardar Roshan Khan and had a daughter named Sukaina khan, who now runs a dance institute in Dubai.

9. Born in a Hindu family and embraced Islam just before her first marriage.

10. Saroj Khan is known as “The Mother of Dance/Choreography in India”

She has choreographed more than 2000 songs in a career span of more than 40 years.

11. First recipient of the Filmfare Best Choreography Award

Filmfare instituted the award after watching the excellent choreography and audience response to the song “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab. She has won 8 Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards and holds the record for winning the most.

12. Won the most National Film Awards for Best Choreography with three wins

“Dola Re Dola” for Devdas (2003), All songs for Sringaram (2006) and “Yeh Ishq Haaye” for Jab We Met (2008).

13. Controversy in Saroj Khan life

In 2018 Saroj Khan defended the practice of casting couch in Bollywood. Later she apologised after getting several backlash for her comments.

14. Appeared on multiple reality dance show as judge

She was member of the jury in 2005 Nach Baliye. She appeared on Sony’s Boogie Woogie as one of the judge. Judge on the third season of a popular show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Sony TV. She also appeared in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as Judge in a Dance Competition.

15. Saroj Khan dies of cardiac arrest at the age of 71

Saroj Khan was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital, Mumbai after having breathing complaints. She took her last breath on July 3, 2020.

Choreographer Saroj Khan dies at 71! #SarojKhan pic.twitter.com/JXiJtyXFS4

— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) July 3, 2020

Rest in peace, masterji!