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.
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.