The real name of choreographer Saroj Khan, who made many actresses into dance art, was Nirmala Nagpal. He was born on 22 November 1948 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He died of a heart attack on 3 July 2020 (age 71).
Personal information about Saroj Khan
Date of Birth: 22 November 1948
Jansthan: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Original Name: Nirmala Nagpal
Husband: Sohanlal
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Choreographer
Children: 3
Died: 3 July 2020 (age 71)
Cause of death: Cardiac arrest
Career: 1958-2020
Saroj Khan’s father and mother came to India at the time of Partition and Saroj Khan was born in Mumbai. He started his career as a child artist at the age of three as Bal Shyama from the film “Nazrana“. With a career span of over forty years, she choreographed over 2000 songs and is known in India as “The Mother of Dance / Choreography”. Her last film Choreographer was “Kalank”. Saroj was married to her dance teacher Sohanlal.
Success as a choreographer-
His first film as an independent choreographer was “Geeta Mera Naam” (1974). However, he had to wait for many years to get fame. His career boomed in Mr. Devi’s film Mr. India in “Hawa Hawaii” (1987), Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989). With Madhuri Dixit, Tezaab (1988), followed by singing songs from the film “Beta”, “Dhak Dhak karne laga”. By this time, his name had emerged as India’s best and most successful choreographer.
Saroj Khan received awards: –
As a choreographer, he has been awarded the National Film Award three times. The names of these films are
1. Devdas (2003) for the film Dola Re Dola Ganai
2. Shringaram (2006): For all songs
3. Jab We Met (2008): Yeh Ishq Hi Jannat Dikha
Filmfare Best Choreography Award Saroj Khan was the first recipient of the Filmfare Best Choreography Award. Filmfare instituted the award after its excellent choreography and audience response to the song “Ek Do Teen” from the film Tezaab. Saroj Khan hat-tricked after winning the Filmfare Award for 3 consecutive years from 1989 to 1991. He also holds the record for winning 8 Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards. Their names are;
2008 – Guru
2003 – Devdas
2000 – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
1994 – Khal Nayak
1993 – Beta
1991 – Hum Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar for the song “Sailab”
1990 – Chaal baaj
1989 – Tejaab
Saroj Khan’s choreography was in these films:
1. Kalank (2019)
2. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
3. Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
4. Gulaab Gang (2014)
5. Delhi-6 (2009)
6. Jab We Met (2007) (National Film Award for Best Choreography)
7. Namaste London (2007)
8. Guru (2007) (Won Filmfare Award for Best Choreography)
9. Sanwaria (2007)
10. Don – The Chase Begins Again (2006)
11. Fana (2006)
12. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
13. Shringaram (2005) (Tamil) won the National Film Award for Best Choreography
14. Veer-Zara (2004)
15. Swades (2004)
16. Say Nothing (2004)
17. Saathiya (2002)
18. Devdas (2002) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography and National Film Award
19. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography
20. Fiza (2000)
21. Tal (1999)
22. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography and American Choreography Award
23. Soldier (1998)
24. Chudlani Wundi (1998)
25. Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
26. Pardes (1997)
27. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
28. Yarana (1995)
29. Mohra (1994)
30. Anjam (1994)
31. Baazigar (1993)
32. Aina (1993)
33. Fear (1993)
34. Son (1992)
35. Awargi (1990)
36. Sailab (1990)
37. Chandni (1989)
38. Eyesight: Nagina Part II (1989)
39. Tezaab (1988)
40. Mr. India (1987)
41. Nagina (1986)
42. Hero (1983)
Saroj Khan on television
Saroj Khan appeared in Nach Baliye in 2005 as a judge on a reality dance show. She has recently become a judge for the show “Ustadon Ke Ustad”, which airs on Sony Entertainment Television (India). She appeared as a judge in a dance competition in “Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma”.
Death of Saroj Khan:
This famous Bollywood choreographer has died of a heart attack in Mumbai on 3 July 2020 which is an irreparable loss to the entire Bollywood industry. May his soul rest in peace.
