Saroj Khan

Ace choreographer Saroj Khan was born as Nirmala on the 22nd of November 1948. Post partition, her parents Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Sadhu Singh shifted their base to India along with Saroj (then Nirmala). The talent house first sparked her best at the age of three years by appearing as a child artist in a film 'Nazrana' later turning a background dancer in 1950's. Working her best out, she acquired her dancing skills from her then guru, Bollywood choreographer B. Sohanlal.

Born as a Hindu and later marrying to a Muslim, Sardar Roshan Khan designated her a new identity, Saroj Khan by which she is splendidly recognized. Shifting her base from background dancer to a full fledged choreographer, Saroj worked as an assistant choreographer. Later the marvel walked independent and choreographed her first solo in 1974 released 'Geeta Mera Naam'.

Continuing her career as a choreographer, Khan delivered her best in flicks like 'Zameer' (1975), 'Anand Ashram', 'Hero', 'Lava', 'Jaanoo', 'Awara Baap'. She received fame at her footstep post working with then superstar starlet Sridevi. Her collaboration with Sridevi in flicks like 'Nagina', 'Mr. India' and 'Chandni' went off superb to boost her up to the ladder of fame and prosperity to which she has sustained till date.

Post 'Nagina' her fortune glowed and her further works in 'Janbaaz', 'Dacait', 'Aakhri Adaalat', 'Biwi Ho To Aisi', 'Dayavan', 'Tezaab', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Nigahen', 'Rakhwala', 'Mera Naseeb', 'Tridev' and 'Khoj' too basked in the glory.

Well apart from Sridevi, there is also another starlet that gelled well with Saroj and too managed to create a history onscreen. It was none other than then dancing queen sustained till now, Madhuri Dixit. The duo first met on the sets of 'Tezaab' and since then they created the aura of prosperity since their first track together "Ek Do Teen" that went on to become a chart-buster and all time favorite.

As the track went on to become a hit, the duo went ahead and revived their magic with "Tamma Tamma Loge" from the movie 'Thanedar'. Since her choreography improving Madhuri as a dancer, also honored Madhuri with a new tag "The Dhak Dhak girl of Bollywood", when she danced to her direction for the very famous track "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from the 1992 released 'Beta'.

Apart from Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, Saroj moved ahead and proved a milestone to various actors by choreographing them in several of the other flicks. The list goes on with flicks like 'Khalnayak', 'Aaina', 'Baazigar', 'Darr', 'Dilwale', 'Mohra', 'Trimurti', 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Khamoshi: The Musical', 'Judaai' (1997), 'Daud', 'Aunty No. 1', 'Aarzoo', 'Taal', 'Badal', 'Fiza', 'Mission Kashmir', 'Lagaan', 'Devdas', 'Saathiya', 'Chameli', 'Guru', 'Jab We Met', 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Agneepath' few among others.

Serving her best in the industry from decades, Saroj turned the heads in the year 2002 with her then choreographed "Dola Re Dola" from the super hit film 'Devdas' grabbed her first 'National Award for Best Choreography'. This was later followed with the second and third 'National Awards' coming in for the same for her works in films like 'Sringaram' (Tamil) and 'Jab We Met'. Along with the National felicitation, the Bollywood fraternity too applauded her talent with several awards right from the film 'Tezaab' till 'Guru'. Apart from the domestic appraisal, Saroj flew seven seas beyond and grabbed the 'American Choreography Award' for 'Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film' for her work in 2002 hit release 'Lagaan'.

Standing tall in the industry, Saroj also maintained her dignity as one on the small screen with her appearances in the television dance reality shows like 'Nach Baliye', 'Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan' along with the much hyped dance competing show 'Boogie Woogie'. Looking back to her contribution in the cinematic world, it looks all enough. But, it's not! because she hasn't stopped yet and will be seen choreographing in her future projects like 'Baromas' and 'Kochadaiiyaan'.