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 died on July 3, 2020 due to a sudden cardiac arrest.
Career
Born Nirmala, her parents Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Singh 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 married him 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. In 1975, she got married to businessman Sardar Roshan Khan. They were blessed with a daughter, Sukaina khan, who is known to run a dance institute in Dubai. 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, because of breathing difficulties, and died of cardiac arrest at 1:52 AM IST early on Friday, July 3rd, 2020. 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 Sukaina Khan
Selected filmography
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
Veeru Dada (1990)
Khiladi (1992)
Hum Hain Bemisaal (1994)
Nazar Ke Samne (1995)
Chhote Sarkar (1996)
Dil Tera Diwana (1996)
Daava (1997)
Judge Mujrim (1997)
Bhai Bhai (1997)
Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya (1999)
Benaam (1999)
Khanjar (2003)
Awards and recognitions
Saroj Khan was the recipient of the most National Film Awards for Best Choreography with three wins.
Year Film Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2003 Devdas "Dola Re Dola" Best Choreography Won
2006 Sringaram All songs Won
2008 Jab We Met "Yeh Ishq Haaye" Won
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
Kalakar Awards
2011: 19TH ANNUAL KALAKAR ACHIEVER AWARD for Outstanding Contribution in Dance Choreography]
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