Bollywood’s ace choreographer Saroj Khan died of cardiac arrest in a Mumbai hospital early today morning, she was 71.
Twitter is flooded with condolences including one from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said that legends never die.
She is survived by her husband B. Sohanlal, son Hamid Khan and daughters Hina Khan and Sukyna Khan. Family and friends have gathered at the cemetery in Malad, Mumbai where the burial is to take place.
It was not coronavirus but severe diabetes and related illness that was the cause of her death her daughter Sukyna Khan had earlier confirmed. This was after Saroj Khan complained of breathlessness and was subsequently tested negative for coronavirus.
The legendary choreographer had a career spanning more than four decades during which she choreographed more than 2000 songs.
Saroj Khan started her dance career early in life, she was a background dancer at the age of three! She got her first break as an independent choreographer with Geeta Mera Naam in 1974.
With three National Awards to her credit she is popularly recognised for her iconic numbers, especially those featuring Bollywood superstars Madhuri Dixit and Sreedevi.
She last choreographed her favourite dancer Madhuri Dixit in Tabaah Ho Gaye from Kalank (2019). Madhuri tweeted about the loss of her friend and guru.
Saroj Khan also holds the record for – most awards in the Filmfare Best Choreography Award category, with 8 wins; being the first recipient of this award in 1989, when the Filmfare Best Choreography Award was started; and for winning it consecutively for 3 years making it a hat trick at the Filmfare Awards in 1989,1990,1991.
Hawa Hawai from Mr India (1987), Ek Do Teen from Tezaab (1988), Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from Beta (1992), Choli ke peeche kya hai from Khalnaayak (1994) Dola Re Dola from Devdas (2002) Ye Ishq Haaye from Jab We Met (2007) are her original choreographies that are copied even today.