Famous for her choreography in films like Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Jab We Met, Guru, and many other popular Bollywood films, Saroj Khan, A.K.A Masterji, was a renowned choreographer in the Hindi film industry. In her career of more than forty years, she has choreographed about 2000 songs.
Her famous works include Dola Re Dola, Ek Do Teen, Barso Re, Choli Ke Peeche, and Nimbooda Nimbooda. She had her way of choreography and mastered the dance form of Mujra. She took her last breath in 2020, but her legacy will be forever remembered.
Let’s know more about the legendary Saroj Khan in detail:
Early Life and Family
Born on November 22 1948, Saroj Khan was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra. She was the daughter of Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Sadhu Singh. Her real name was Nirmal Kishanchad Sadhu Singh, and she moved to India from Pakistan during the partition.
At the age of 13, she married Sohanlal, who was a dance teacher. Both had two children, Hamid Khan (popularly known as Raju Khan) and Hina Khan. After her first husband left her, she married Sardar Roshan Khan. With him, she had a daughter named Sukaina Khan. At 71, she died due to a heart attack on July 3, 2020, in Mumbai.
Career in Bollywood
After working in several films as an assistant choreographer, Saroj Khan made her independent choreography debut with 1975s Mausam. But she got her to break in 1983 with Subhash Ghai’s Hero. Popularly called ‘Masterji”, she was the first woman choreographer in the film industry.
After her first break, she choreographed the famous Nagin Dance of Sridevi in 1986, Ek Do Teen for Madhuri Dixit in Tezaab, and Choli Ke Peeche in Khalnayak. Dhak Dhak Karne Laga in Mr India and Tamma Tamma Loge in Thanedaar were her popular songs from that decade. She also wrote a few films like Khiladi, hum Hain Bemisaal, Veeru Dada, etc.
Career as a judge of reality shows
She also appeared as a judge n reality shows like Nah Baliye, Ustaadon Ka Ustaad, Boogie Woogie, and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. She also hosted her show titled Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan.
Awards and Accolades
Saroj Khan has won many awards in her lifetime for her fantastic work as a choreographer. Here is the list of awards she has won for her work:
- National Award for Best Choreography for “Dola re Dola ” in Devdas (2003)
- National Award for Best Choreography for Sringaram (2006)
- National Award for Best Choreography for “Yeh Ishq Haaye ” in Jab We Met (2008)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Ek Do Teen” in Tezaab (1989)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Na Jaane Kahan Se” in ChalBaaz (1990)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Humk Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” in Sailaab (1991)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” in Beta (1993)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Choli Ke Peeche” in Khalnayak (1994)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Nimbooda Nimbooda” in Hum DIl De Chuke Sanam (2000)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Dola Re Dola” in Devdas (2003)
- Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for “Barso Re” in Guru (2008)
- American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film for Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2002)
- Nandi Award for Best Choreography for Choodalani Vundi (1998)
- Zee Cine Award for Best Choreography for “Dola Re Dola” in Devdas (2003)
- Indian International Film Academy Award (IIFA) for “Nimbooda Nimbooda” in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- Indian International Film Academy Award (IIFA) Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
- 19th Annual Kalakar Achiever Award for Outstanding Contribution in Dance Choreography (2011)
