Saroj Khan (Choreographer) Biography: Birth, Death, Family, Early Life, Career, Films, Songs, and Awards

Saroj Khan the legendary choreographer and National award-winner died on 3 July, 2020 in Mumbai due to cardiac arrest. She was 71. Her condition deteriorated on Thursday night. She was an inspiration for all actors and choreographers. She will be remembered forever. Saroj Khan's last rites were performed at Malad burial ground on 3 June, 2020 (Friday).

Saroj Khan has choreographed nearly 2000 songs in a career of over four decades. She last choreographed in 2019 in Karan Johar's production Kalank featuring Madhuri for Tabah Hogaye. It is said that the most successful collaborations were with actors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. 

Date of Birth: 22 November 1948
Original Name: Nirmala Kishanchand Sadhu Singh Nagpal
Nick Name: Moti Bachi
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Choreographer
Spouse(s): Sohanlal (Choreographer), Sardar Roshan Khan
Children: 3
Died: 3 July 2020 (age 71)
Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest
Place of Death: Mumbai

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Saroj Khan's: Early Life and Family

She was born on 22 November, 1948. Her birth name was Nirmala Kishanchand Sadhu Singh Nagpal. Her father's name was Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Mother Noni Sadhu Singh. During the partition in 1947, she moved to India from Pakistan. Saroj Khan worked as a child actor in the movie Tarana. Do you know at that time she was only two years old? Her name was not in the cast but she played the little Shayama sitting on the moon and singing. She was married to Sohanlal, a dance teacher, and that time she was thirteen years old. 

At the time of marriage, Sohanlal was 41 years old and was already married and had 4 children. When Saroj Khan was fourteen years old she gave birth to her first child Hamid Khan who is now a famous choreographer by name Raju Khan. She separated from Sohanlal in 1965 but continued working as his assistant. When Sohanlal had a heart attack, they again united. She had another child from Sohanlal, her daughter Hina Khan (Cuckoo). Sohanlal moved to Madras leaving behind Saroj and two children. Later on, she married Sardar Roshan Khan and gave birth to a daughter Sukaina Khan, who now runs a dance institute in Dubai.

Saroj Khan: Career

She made her debut as an independent choreographer in Gulzar's Mausam in 1975. In 1983, her first breakthrough came with Subhash Ghai's Hero. She was noticed for her talent in 1986 in Nagina movie at Sridevi's Nagin dance, followed up by Mr. India. Next, she worked with Madhuri Dixit in Tezaab movie in 'Ek Do Teen' song and later in Khalnayak where she choreographed the famous song 'Choli Ke Peeche'. She was also famous for her famous dialogue in Nach Baliye "Where is your choreographer?". 

Songs 'Dhak Dhak Karne Laga' from the movie Beta, 'Tamma Tamma Loge' from the movie Thanedaar were her some of the best songs from the 1990s. She never looked back after then and made her place in Bollywood in the list of successful choreographers of the era.

She 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. 

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Saroj Khan: Judge of Reality Shows

She worked in dance reality show 'Nach Baliye' as a jury member which was telecast on 'STAR One' and "Ustaadon Ka Ustaad" On Sony Entertainment Television as a Judge in both the seasons. On Sony Entertainment television she was also the judge along with Naved Jaffrey, Javed Jaffrey, and Ravi Behl on the show Boogie Woogie. In a famous show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' she also appeared as a judge along with Juhi Chawla and Vaibhavi Merchant. She was presently hosting her own Dance show, Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan on NDTV Imagine. 

Saroj Khan: National Awards

The legendary Bollywood Choreographer Saroj Khan was a recipient of three National Awards. The names of these films are
1. Devdas (2003) for the film Dola Re Dola Ganai
2. Sringaram (Tamil) (2006): For all songs
3. Jab We Met (2008): Yeh Ishq Hi Jannat Dikha

Saroj Khan: Filmfare Best Choreography Award

Saroj Khan was the first recipient of the Filmfare Best Choreography Award. Saroj Khan hat-tricked after winning the Filmfare Award for 3 consecutive years from 1989 to 1991. She also holds the record for winning 8 Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards. Their names are;

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

Saroj Khan's: Choreography in Films

Some of the films in which she had done choreography are:
1. Kalank (2019)
2. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
3. Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
4. Gulaab Gang (2014)
5. Delhi-6 (2009)
6. Jab We Met (2007) (National Film Award for Best Choreography)
7. Namaste London (2007)
8. Guru (2007) (Won Filmfare Award for Best Choreography)
9. Sanwaria (2007)
10. Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006)
11. Fanaa (2006)
12. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
13. Sringaram (2005) (Tamil) won the National Film Award for Best Choreography
14. Veer-Zara (2004)
15. Swades (2004)
16. Kuch Na Kaho (2004)
17. Saathiya (2002)
18. Devdas (2002) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography and National Film Award
19. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography
20. Fiza (2000)
21. Taal (1999)
22. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography and American Choreography Award
23. Soldier (1998)
24. Choodalani Vundi (1998)
25. Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
26. Pardes (1997)
27. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
28. Yarana (1995)
29. Mohra (1994)
30. Anjaam (1994)
31. Baazigar (1993)
32. Aaina (1993)
33. Darr (1993)
34. Beta (1992)
35. Awargi (1990)
36. Sailab (1990)
37. Chandni (1989)
38. Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989)
39. Tezaab (1988)
40. Mr. India (1987)
41. Nagina (1986)
42. Hero (1983)

Saroj Khan's: Death

Saroj Khan, the famous Bollywood choreographer passed away due to cardiac arrest on 3 July, 2020 at Mumbai hospital which is an irreparable loss to the entire Bollywood industry. May her soul rest in peace.

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