Saroj Khan

Saroj Khan was a prominent Indian dance choreographers in Hindi cinema. She was born on 22nd November 1948 and has choreographed more than 200 films.

After making her debut as an independent choreographer in Gulzar's Mausam (1975), her first breakthrough came with Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983), but it was Sridevi's nagin dance in Nagina (1986) where she was noticed for her talent, followed up by Mr India. Next she worked with Madhuri Dixit in 'Ek Do Teen' number, Tezaab (1989) and later in Khalnayak, where she chorographed the Choli ke Peeche' number.She is very famous for her dialogue in Nach Baliye "Where is your choreographer?".She is also called 'moti bachi' by her family and friends. She has also appeared as a judge on reality dance competitions shows such as, Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She has won Filmfare Best Choreography Award eight times, and National Film Award for Best Choreography thrice.

Early life
She was mostly trained in dance by B. Sohanlal. Saroj Khan’s real name is Nirmala Sadhu Songh. Father: Kishanchand Sadhu Singh Mother: Noni Sadhu Singh Saroj’s parents migrated from Pakistan to India during the partition in 1947. Saroj worked as a child actor in the movie Tarana at that time she was only two years old. You will not find her name in the cast but if you watch the movie she has played the little Shayama sitting on the moon and singing.

According to her own confession on a Pakistani TV show she embraced Islam before getting married and still is a Muslim. At the age of thirteen Saroj Khan married B. Sohanlal who was a well known dance master at that time. Sohanlal was 41 years old and already married and had 4 children. At the age of fourteen she gave birth to her first child Hamid Khan,who is now a famous choreographer by the name of Raju Khan.

In 1965 she separated from Sohanlal, but kept working as his assistant. They reunited again when Sohanlal had an heart attack. Saroj Khan had another child from Sohan Lal, her daughter Hina Khan (cuckoo). Sohanlal then moved to Madras leaving behind Saroj and two children. Afterward she married with Sardar Roshan Khan and she gave birth to a daughter named Sukaina khan, who now runs a dance institute in Dubai.


In a career spanning more than four decades, Saroj Khan choreographed more than 2000 songs. She started her career as a background dancer at the age of 3, and got her first break as an choreographer with Geeta Mera Naam in 1974. Some of the iconic dance numbers choreographed by her include Hawa Hawai from Mr India, Ek Do Teen from Tezaab, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from Beta and Dola Re Dola from Devdas.

Death
On July 3 2020, Saroj Khan passed away due to cardiac arrest at Guru Nanak Hospital in Mumbai. She was 71.