RIP Saroj Khan: The mother of Bollywood choreography

Bollywood's notable choreographer Saroj Khan left for the heavenly abode on Friday. Khan's demise has left the already grief-stricken Bollywood mourn over another death news. From a background dancer to being a master choreographer, Khan has tasted success like no one else. The National Award winner is survived by her husband, a son and two daughters.

Mumbai: As the nation is yet to recuperate from the successive demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor and Wajid Khan, the death news of Bollywood's ace choregrapher Saroj Khan has left everyone in a state of grim.

Born on November 22, 1948, Saroj Khan started her career as a child artist. She was only three when she appeared on screen for the first time in the film Nazarana.

Going by her career graph, Khan had choreographed more than 2000 songs and is popularly known as 'The Mother of Dance-Choreography in India'

Khan learnt the craft of swift moves while working under acclaimed film choreographer B. Sohanlal.

They say love knows no boundary and rightly so. Saroj tied the knot with Sohanlal, in 1961, the age of 13 while he was 43-year-old. However, their marriage did not last long. Their marriage hit rock bottom, supposedly because Khan did not know that her then-husband was already married with 4 children. However, they got divorced in 1965.

Now, Khan is survived by her second husband, son Hamid Khan and daughters Hina Khan and Sukyna Khan.

Fondly known as Masterji, Khan appeared as a background dancer in the late 1950s. Later on, she shifted to choreography. Before getting a break as an independent choreographer, Saroj Khan initially worked as an assistant choreographer.

Though she forayed into the industry with the 1974 release Geeta Mera Naam, as an independent choreographer, it took her many years to receive her desired recognition.

Khan received the much-awaited acclaim after she had worked with Sridevi in Mr India (1987), Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989), and later with Madhuri Dixit in Tezaab (1988), Thanedaar (1990) and Beta (1992).

READ | Bollywood mourns the death of ace choreographer Saroj Khan

Eventually, success kissed her feet and she went on to become one of the most successful choreographers that Bollywood have ever produced.

Some of her iconic choreography include Sridevi's Hawaa Hawaai, Main Naagin Tu Sapera and Madhuri Dixit's Ek Do Teen, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and Tamma Tamma which continue to remain popular even today.

Besides Madhuri and Sridevi, Khan has also directed Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Suneil Shetty and Sanjay Dutt among many others.

Years later, in 2014, she worked with Madhuri Dixit again in Gulaab Gang.

Lately, Khan has been selective with signing new projects. Her recent works include Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika and Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Her last major assignment has been directing Madhuri's dance steps in 2019 release Kalank.

Khan, who died of cardiac arrest today, had complained of breathing last month, following which she was admitted to Mumbai's Guru Nanak Hospital.