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Saroj Khan Biography: Legendary choreographer Saroj Khan passed away on Friday (3rd July 2020) due to cardiac arrest at Guru Nanak Hospital in Mumbai. Saroj Khan’s condition deteriorated on Thursday night and around 2:30 am on Friday she passed away. Saroj Khan’s film career spanned over 4 decades and she choreographed in more than 200 movies. Saroj Khan was fondly called ‘Masterji’ by stars whom she choreographed, Saroj Khan choreographed over 2000 songs in her long and storied career. Her most famous collaborations were with actors Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi.
Saroj Khan: Early Life & Family
She was born on 22 November 1948 as Nirmala Nagpal. 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 married film choreographer B Sohanlal in 1962 at the age of 13 while he was 41, already a married man with four children. At the age of 14, Saroj had her first child with Sohanlal. She separated from Sohanlal in 1965 but continued working as his assistant. Later on, she married Sardar Roshan Khan and gave birth to a daughter Sukaina Khan, who now runs a dance institute in Dubai.
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Saroj Khan: Career
Saroj Khan’s first break as an independent choreographer came in 1974 with “Geeta Mera Naam”. After Geeta Mera Naam, she would have to wait for the next 13 years before her first breakthrough song, Mr India’s Hawa Hawai in 1987, would appear on the horizon. Saroj Khan announced her arrival with this blockbuster and iconic song. After this, she never looked back and made her place in Bollywood in the list of most successful choreographers of all time. Saroj Khan also tried her hands at screenwriting and turned writer for movies like Khiladi, Hum Hain Bemisaal, Veeru Dada, Chhote Sarkar, Dil Tera Diwana, Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya, Benaam and Khanjar.
Some of the films in which Saroj khan had done choreography:
- Kalank (2019)
- Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
- Gulaab Gang (2014)
- Delhi-6 (2009)
- Jab We Met (2007) (National Film Award for Best Choreography)
- Namaste London (2007)
- Guru (2007) (Won Filmfare Award for Best Choreography)
- Sanwaria (2007)
- Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006)
- Fanaa (2006)
- Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
- Sringaram (2005)
- Veer-Zara (2004)
- Swades (2004)
- Kuch Na Kaho (2004)
- Saathiya (2002)
- Devdas (2002)
- Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
- Fiza (2000)
- Taal (1999)
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
- Soldier (1998)
- Choodalani Vundi (1998)
- Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
- Pardes (1997)
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
- Yarana (1995)
- Mohra (1994)
- Anjaam (1994)
- Baazigar (1993)
- Aaina (1993)
- Darr (1993)
- Beta (1992)
- Awargi (1990)
- 37. Chandni (1989)
- Tezaab (1988)
- Mr. India (1987)
- Nagina (1986)
- Hero (1983)
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Awards & Achievements
In a career that span over 4 decades, Saroj Khan won numerous awards and accolades. She won 3 National awards and 8 Filmfare awards. List of films for which she received national awards and Filmfare have been listed below.
National Awards
- Devdas (2003)
- Sringaram (Tamil) (2006)
- Jab We Met (2008)
Filmfare Awards
Saroj Khan holds the record of winning most no. of Filmfare awards for best choreographer with 8 wins.
- 2008 – Guru
- 2003 – Devdas
- 2000 – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 1994 – Khal Nayak
- 1993 – Beta
- 1991 – Sailab movie for song Hum Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar
- 1990 – ChaalBaaz
- 1989 – Tezaab
