Iconic Bollywood Choreographer Saroj Khan Dies of Cardiac Arrest at the Age of 71
Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, popularly known as 'Master Ji', has died of a cardiac arrest in a Mumbai hospital on Friday. Master Ji was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital on June 20 after complaining of trouble in breathing. She was even tested for COVID, but the reports came out negative.
Khan's condition deteriorated on Thursday night in the ICU. She breathed her last around 2:30 am on Friday. "She passed away due to cardiac arrest at around 2.30 am at the hospital," Saroj Khan's nephew Manish Jagwani told news agency PTI.
In a career spanning over four decades, Khan is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs. Winner of National Award for three times, she has choreographed some of the most memorable dance numbers including Dola Re Dola from Devdas, Ek Do Teen from Madhuri Dixit's Tezaab and Ye Ishq Haaye from Jab We Met. Her last choreography was for Madhuri Dixit, with whom she shared a special bond.
As soon as the news of her demise was confirmed, condolences started pouring in over social media from the film fraternity, her well-wishers, and fans. Here's look on what stars like Madhuri Dixit, Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and others have to say about their beloved Master Ji.
I'm devastated by the loss of my friend and guru, Saroj Khan. Will always be grateful for her work in helping me reach my full potential in dance. The world has lost an amazingly talented person. I will miss you???? My sincere condolences to the family. #RIPSarojji
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) July 3, 2020
T 3582 - Prayers .. ???? ..
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 3, 2020
हाथ जुड़े हैं , मन अशांत
Woke up to the sad news that legendary choreographer #SarojKhan ji is no more. She made dance look easy almost like anybody can dance, a huge loss for the industry. May her soul rest in peace ????????
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 3, 2020
A true Legend. Thankyou for all the iconic dances and expressions. My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. We will miss Saroj Khan Ji ????????
— Kiara Advani (@advani_kiara) July 3, 2020
Rest in peace guruji https://t.co/L7UHBrwROw
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) July 3, 2020
Rest in peace Sarojji.. u were an inspiration to many, myself included. Thank you for the songs???????? #SarojKhan
— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) July 3, 2020
RIP #SarojKhan ji... An ace choreographer... A trendsetter, with innumerable memorable songs to her credit... End of an era. pic.twitter.com/pP5mRITvcJ
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 3, 2020
Choreographer Saroj Khan dies at 71! #SarojKhan pic.twitter.com/JXiJtyXFS4
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) July 3, 2020
She was the “Mother of choreography in india"
— Rashami Desai (@TheRashamiDesai) July 3, 2020
Our Guru ji! ❤️
Sad sad May her soul rest in peace #SarojKhan #OmShanti ???????? pic.twitter.com/raZIyvFG81
A rare artist & an exceptional Guru, #SarojKhan ji has played crucial roles in many superstars journeys, giving memorable choreographies in Jugni from TWM, Ghani Bawari from TWMR & very recent lullaby Taktaki from Manikarnika, Kangana will always be indebted to her contribution???? pic.twitter.com/kI8iXCpp5A
— Team Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) July 3, 2020
Some Interesting Facts About Saroj Khan
- Saroj Khan was earlier named as Nirmala Nagpal.
- Saroj Khan began her career by playing the young Shyama onscreen in Nazarana
- Under the mentorship of dance director B. Sohanlal, she had started off her career in dancing as a background dancer.
- Her first independent work as a choreographer was seen in the movie Geeta Mera Naam (1974). Since then she has been ruling the dance industry with her movies.
- She is also known to be the mother of what we today know as Bollywood Dance.
- Khan started gaining recognition in the industry after her choreography for Sridevi in Mr. India's song Hawa Hawai (1987).
- The choreographer has also judged dance reality shows like Nach Baliye, Ustaadon Ka Ustaad, Boogie Woogie and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Khan is known to have worked with many big names in the industry. She has also trained a slew of choreographers, who later on went on to make a big name for themselves. Bollywood's celebrated choreographer Farah Khan was also trained by Master Ji.
