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Tributes pour in as legendary choreographer Saroj Khan passes away at 71 

Saroj, who had worked closely with Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on their hit songs, died of a cardiac arrest in Mumbai today
Tributes pour in as legendary choreographer Saroj Khan passes away at 71 

The Indian film industry is mourning the demise of veteran choreographer Saroj Khan. Saroj died of a cardiac arrest in Mumbai today. She was 71.

She was admitted to the ICU at Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra on June 20 after she complained of breathing issues. She is survived by her husband B. Sohanlal, son Hamid Khan and daughters Hina Khan and Sukaina Khan. Her last rites were performed at Malvani in Malad today.

Born Nirmala Nagpal in 1948, Saroj started her career as a child artist and background dancer. Over four decades, she choreographed more than 2000 Bollywood songs. Her notable films include Geetaa Mera Naam, Mr. India, Nagina, Chandni, Tezaab, Baazigar, Lagaan, Devdas, and Jab We Met. She had worked closely with Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on their hit songs. For her work, Saroj was awarded the National Film Award thrice. In 2019, she choreographed Madhuri Dixit for Tabah Ho Gaye in Kalank.

Here’s how the film industry paid tribute to the bygone legend:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You rest .. you rest well .. you rise .. you realise the hours .. you seek the elixir .. you devour .. you get to connect .. … and .. .. you be informed in this communicative world .. Saroj Khan has died .. .. and an entire history of time races before you in the cerebrum .. She was a sprightly young enthusiastic dance assistant to one of the major dance directors of the time .. of the time when I was just beginning .. of the film ‘Bandhe Haath’ with the heart throb of millions Mumtaz .. with the director OP Ralhan .. Mumtaz’s grace and acceptance to agree to work with this newbe .. she a stratospheric Star , me a nobody .. .. and Saroj ji in the crowd of dancers in a song .. her subtle grace when she moved .. the expressions , the delicate little intricacies of each word and movement .. she was just so exceptional .. she was pregnant with child during the shoot , but never deterred from her work .. at one point I saw her , quite alarmingly , finding the foetus had shifted in her stomach and she simply unabashedly pushed it into place , and carried on .. dancing .. .. and then over the years .. she excelled and attained the podium title of Dance Director .. or as the language changed , the Choreographer of film .. her moves becoming famous for each artist she worked with .. and the love and affection she gave to all that came under her guidance .. and when she would see an artist give a good shot under her care .. she would call her or him aside .. and .. .. give a rupee coin .. as a gesture .. as a pat on the back .. a ‘shagun’ .. .. many many years later .. during the song sequence of a film I was doing .. I became the recipient of that coin .. an immense achievement .. Saroj ji .. you gave us and the industry , rhythm, style, grace of movement and the art of converting the lyrics in a song to a meaning in dance .. .. on a chance meeting many many years ago she paid me my best compliment .. she was living in Dubai then from marriage and when DON was released she said coming from her was the ultimate .. .. a legacy has passed away ..

A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan) on

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