Saroj Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saroj Khan
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Khan in 2020
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| Born |
Nirmala Nagpal
22 November 1948 Bombay, Bombay State, India
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| Died | 3 July 2020 (aged 71) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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| Occupation | Choreographer |
| Years active | 1958–2020 |
| Spouse(s) |
B. Sohanlal
(m. 1961; sep. 1965)Sardar Roshan Khan
(m. 1975) |
| Children | 3 (2 with Sohanlal, 1 with Khan) |
Saroj Khan (born Nirmala Nagpal; 22 November 1948 – 3 July 2020) was a very famous Indian dance choreographer. She worked mostly in Hindi cinema. She was born in Bombay State, which is now Maharashtra, India. Saroj Khan was especially known for the traditional dance style called mujra. She was also the first woman choreographer in Bollywood to become so successful.
Over her career, which lasted more than forty years, she created dances for over 3000 songs! She sadly passed away on 3 July 2020 due to a sudden heart attack.
Contents
Becoming a Dance Master
Saroj Khan was born Nirmala Nagpal. Her parents moved to India after the partition of India. She started her career very young, at just three years old. She appeared in the film Nazarana as a child artist named Baby Shyama. In the late 1950s, she worked as a background dancer.
She learned a lot about dance from film choreographer B. Sohanlal. She later married him and had children. After some time, they separated. Later, she married businessman Sardar Roshan Khan in 1975 and changed her name. They had a daughter named Sukaina Khan, who now runs a dance school in Dubai.
Saroj Khan then moved into choreography. She started as an assistant and got her first big chance as an independent choreographer with the film Geeta Mera Naam (1974).
Her Big Break in Bollywood
It took some years for Saroj Khan to become widely recognized. Her amazing work with actress Sridevi brought her fame. Some of their famous songs include Hawa Hawai from Mr India (1987), Main Teri Dushman from Nagina (1986), and Mere Haathon Mein from Chandni (1989).
Later, she became even more famous for her dances with actress Madhuri Dixit. Their hit songs include "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab (1988), Tamma Tamma Loge from Thanedaar (1990), and Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from Beta (1992). After these successes, Saroj Khan became one of the most successful choreographers in Bollywood history.
In 2014, she worked with Madhuri Dixit again in the film Gulaab Gang. She also served on the advisory board for Rishihood University.
Saroj Khan on TV
Saroj Khan also appeared on many TV shows. In 2005, she was a judge on the reality dance show Nach Baliye on STAR One. She was also a judge in the second season of the same show.
She judged Ustaadon Ka Ustaad on Sony Entertainment Television (India). In 2008, she hosted and choreographed for her own show, Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan, on NDTV Imagine. She also judged Boogie Woogie (TV series) and the third season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
A documentary about her life, called The Saroj Khan Story, was released in 2012. She also made a special appearance as a judge in a dance competition on the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
Saroj Khan won many awards for her work. She received three National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards, which is more than any other choreographer!
Her Legacy
Saroj Khan was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital in Mumbai on 17 June 2020, because she had trouble breathing. She passed away on 3 July 2020 at the age of 71 due to a heart attack. Her amazing dance moves and contributions to Bollywood will always be remembered.
Selected Films and Awards
Saroj Khan choreographed dances for many, many films. Here are some of them:
- Sanam Tujhko Music Video (2020)
- Kalank (2019)
- Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
- Byomkesh Pawrbo (2016) Bengali Film
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
- Gulaab Gang (2014)
- Kochadaiiyaan (Tamil) (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)
- Dhund: The Fog (2003)
- 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
- Hum Ho Gaye Aapke (2001)
- Fiza (2000)
- Taal (1999)
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) Won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography & American Choreography Award
- Soldier (1998)
- Vinashak - Destroyer (1998)
- Choodalani Vundi (1998) Telugu movie
- Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
- Pardes (1997)
- Iruvar (1997) (Tamil)
- Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
- Raja (1995)
- Yaraana (1995)
- Mohra (1994)
- Anjaam (1994)
- Baazigar (1993)
- Tholi Muddhu (1993) (Telugu)
- Aaina (1993)
- Khalnayak (1993)
- Darr (1993)
- Beta (1992)
- Vishwatma (1992)
- Awaargi (1990)
- Thanedaar (1990)
- Sailaab (1990)
- Chandni (1989)
- Chaalbaaz (1989)
- Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989)
- Tezaab (1988)
- Kizhakku Africavil Sheela (1987) Tamil movie
- Mr India (1987)
- Hifazat (1987)
- Nagina (1986)
- Hero (1983)
- Thai Veedu (1983) Tamil movie
- Geeta Mera Naam (1974)
Saroj Khan also worked as a writer for some films:
- 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 Special Recognitions
Saroj Khan won the most National Film Award for Best Choreography awards, 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 very first person to receive the Filmfare Best Choreography Award. This award was created after people saw her amazing choreography and the huge audience reaction to her song "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab. She even won this award three years in a row, from 1989 to 1991! She holds the record for winning the most Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards, with 8 wins.
- 2008 – Guru for the song "Barso Re"
- 2003 – Devdas for the song "Dola Re Dola"
- 2000 – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam for the song "Nimbooda Nimbooda"
- 1994 – Khalnayak for the song "Choli Ke Peeche"
- 1993 – Beta for the song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga"
- 1991 – Sailaab for the song "Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar"
- 1990 – ChaalBaaz for the song "Na Jaane Kahan Se"
- 1989 – Tezaab for the song "Ek Do Teen"
Other Awards
- 2002: American Choreography Award: Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film for Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
- 1998: Nandi Awards: Best Choreographer for Choodalani Vundi
- 2003: Zee Cine Award for Best Choreography: Devdas for the song "Dola Re Dola"
- 2011: Kalakar Awards: 19th Annual Kalakar Achiever Award for Outstanding Contribution in Dance Choreography
- 2000: IIFA Award for Best Choreography for the song "Nimbooda Nimbooda" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- 2019: IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Saroj Khan Story is a 2012 documentary film about Saroj Khan's life. It was directed by Nidhi Tuli.
See also
- Indian women in dance
