Nachle with Saroj khan.

A fabulous choreographer, who shared so many years of her life to Indian cinema with her talent. She was known as dancing queen. All the actors wanted to be choreographed by Saroj ji in their film. Not only her dance but the facial expressions she taught to all the heroines in their item number and romantic songs were all mesmerizing.

Saroj Khan, a three-time National Award winner, had choreographed some of the most memorable songs in Hindi cinema. Those songs are till date on top list when it comes to grooving around.

Awards for Best Choreography for her work in Devdas, Jab We Met and the 2007 Tamil film Shringaram, is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs.

In a career spanning over four decades, she has choreographed some of the most popular Bollywood tracks such as Ye Ishq Haaye featuring Kareena Kapoor from the 2007 film Jab We Met, Ek Do Teen featuring Madhuri Dixit from Tezaab, Dola Re Dola from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan.

Starting from an background dancer to choreographing some songs Saroj ji got noticed after she choreographed for Sridevi in Mr. India’s song “Hawa Hawai” (1987). She worked with Sridevi in films like Nagina and Chandni. This was followed by her long-term partnership with Madhuri Dixit in the 1990s in songs like “Ek Do Teen”, “Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar”, “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”, “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai”, and “Tamma Tamma”.

Saroj’s other popular films include Baazigar, Mohra, Darr, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Taal, Veer-Zaara, Pardes, Soldier, Don, Saawariya, Lagaan, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Manikarnika among more. She has won awards for Devdas, Jab We Met, Guru, Khalnayak, Chaalbaaz and others.

The choreographer has also judged dance reality shows like Nach Baliye, Ustaadon Ka Ustaad, Boogie Woogie and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Her last work was the song “Tabaah Ho Gaye” from Kalank (2019) which was filmed on Madhuri Dixit

Saroj’s legacy would, however, be written only after her association with Madhuri Dixit. Apart from her acting skills, Madhuri dixit is known for he dance and these wings of dance were given by none other than Saroj khan. All her films would have songs with dance numbers, with a majority of them choreographed by Saroj.

Saroj ji’s journey has been a remarkable one. And kne would always remember her for the facial expressions of her dancers she crafted in fast paced songs. With younger choreographers too her energy was outstanding. Saroj ji made actors to lovingly capture the expressions in the camera. Hence, her dances spoke; they were not merely visual treats. She will always be missed . RIP.