Saroj Khan

Saroj Khan (born Nirmala Nagpal; 22 November 1948 – 3 July 2020) was one of the most prominent and leading Indian dance choreographers in Hindi cinema. She was born at the Bombay State (present day Maharashtra), India. With a career span of over forty years, she choreographed more than 2000 songs and is known as "The Mother of Dance/Choreography in India". She passed away on July 3, 2020 due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Born Nirmala, her parents migrated to India after partition of India. She started her career as a child artist at the age of three with the film Nazarana as child Shyama, and a background dancer in the late 1950s. She learnt dance while working under film choreographer B. Sohanlal ,she marriedhim at the age of 13 while he was 43 years and was already married with 4 children which she did not know at the time of marriage. Later, she herself shifted to choreography, first as an assistant choreographer and later getting her break as an independent choreographer, with Geeta Mera Naam (1974). However, she had to wait many years to receive acclaim, which came with her work with Sridevi; Hawa Hawai in Mr India (1987), Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989), and later with Madhuri Dixit, starting with the hit Ek Do Teen in Tezaab (1988), Tamma Tamma Loge in Thanedaar (1990) and Dhak Dhak Karne Laga in Beta (1992). Thereafter, she went on to become one of the most successful Bollywood choreographers.

In 2014, Khan worked with Madhuri Dixit again in Gulaab Gang. She was on the advisory board of Rishihood University.

Television appearances

Saroj Khan appeared on a reality dance show as a member of the jury in 2005 Nach Baliye, which aired on STAR One along with two other judges. She also appeared in the second season of the same show. She has recently been a judge for the show Ustaadon Ka Ustaad, which is aired on Sony Entertainment Television (India). She appeared on the 2008 show Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan, which was aired on NDTV Imagine. She choreographed for this show. She appeared on Sony's Boogie Woogie (TV series) show from December 2008 as one of the judges, along with Javed Jaffrey, Naved Jaffrey and Ravi Behl. She was a judge on the third season of a popular show – Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which began on 27 February 2009 and was aired on Sony Entertainment Television (India) alongside former Nach Baliye judge Vaibhavi Merchant and actress Juhi Chawla.

She was judging the dance reality show Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan. She has hosted and completed Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan.

In 2012, The Saroj Khan Story, a documentary produced by PSBT and Films Division of India and directed by Nidhi Tuli was released.

She appeared in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as Judge in a Dance Competition.

Death

Saroj Khan was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital at Bandra, Mumbai on June 17, 2020. She was admitted with breathing complaints, and died of cardiac arrest at 1:52 AM IST early on Friday, July 3rd, 2020. The legendary choreographerd died of cardiac arrest.She was 71 at the time of her death. Saroj Khan is survived by her husband Sardar Roshan Khan, son Hamid Khan and daughters Hina Khan and Sukyna Khan.

• Kalank (2019)
• Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
• Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
• Gulaab Gang (2014)
• ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2012)
• Rowdy Rathore (2012)
• Agent Vinod (2012)
• Khatta Meetha (2010)
• Life Partner (2009)
• Love Aaj Kal (2009)
• Delhi-6 (2009)
• Jab We Met (2007) (Won the National Film Award for Best Choreography)
• Namastey London (2007)
• Guru (2007) (Won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography)
• Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007)
• Saawariya (2007)
• Don - The Chase Begins Again (2006)
• Fanaa (2006)
• Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
• Sringaram (2005) (Tamil) Won the National Film Award for Best Choreography
• Veer-Zaara (2004)
• Swades (2004)
• Kuch Naa Kaho (2004)
• Saathiya (2002)
• Devdas (2002) Won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography & National Film Award
• Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) Won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography
• Fiza (2000)
• Taal (1999)
• Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)Won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography & American Choreography Award
• Soldier (1998)
• Choodalani Vundi (1998)
• Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
• Pardes (1997)
• Iruvar (1997) (Tamil)
• Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)
• Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
• Yaraana (1995)
• Mohra (1994)
• Anjaam (1994)
• Baazigar (1993)
• Aaina (1993)
• Darr (1993)
• Beta (1992)
• Awaargi (1990)
• Sailaab (1990)
• Chandni (1989)
• Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989)
• Tezaab (1988)
• Kizhakku Africavil Sheela (1987) Tamil movie
• Mr India (1987)
• Nagina (1986)
• Hero (1983)
• Thai Veedu(1983) Tamil movie

As writer

National Film Award

Saroj Khan was the recipient of the most National Film Awards for Best Choreography with three wins.

Filmfare Best Choreography Award

Saroj Khan was the first recipient of the filmfare Best Choreography Award. Filmfare instituted this award after watching the excellent choreography and audience response to Khan's song "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab. Saroj Khan went on to have a hat-trick at the Filmfare awards winning consistently for 3 years from 1989 to 1991. She also held the record for winning the most Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards, winning 8.

• 2008 – Guru
• 2003 – Devdas
• 2000 – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
• 1994 – Khalnayak
• 1993 – Beta
• 1991 – Sailaab for the song "Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar"
• 1990 – Chaalbaaz
• 1989 – Tezaab

American Choreography Award

• 2002: Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)

Nandi Awards

• 1998: Nandi Award for Best Choreographer: Choodalani Vundi

In April 2018, Khan made statements defending the practice of casting couch, stating that the film industry provides people employment and "doesn’t rape and abandon" them. Following online backlash, she apologised for her comments.