By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Born Nirmala Nagpal to Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Singh in Bombay, Saroj Khan started her career as a child artist at the age of three and later worked as a background dancer in early films. She was a student of ace Choreographer B. Sohanlal who later married her when she was barely 13 & he was 43, married and had four children. They later separated in 1965 . There is no denying the fact the she learnt the intricacies of classical Kathak dance from her mentor B. Sohanlal who mastered ‘Kathak’ & ruled the roost with hits like Madhumati , Ujala , Love In Simla, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulaam, Mr. X in Bombay, Mere Mehboob, Bobby, Hare Rama Hare Krishna & Satyam Shivam Sundaram to mention some. After separation she struggled for many years until she got a break with “Geeta Mera Naam” to become an independent choreographer in 1974 , starring Sadhana and Sunil Dutt; a film directed by Sadhana herself with Laxmi-Pyare scoring the music. However, success still eluded her and her career progressed sporadically.
Her career really took off after the grand success of hits like ” Hero” ( 1983) & ” Nagina” ( 1986).The 1987 extravaganza “Mr. India” ,directed by Shekhar Kapoor, featuring Sridevi & Anil Kapoor opened flood-gates of new assignments for her with her “Hawa Hawai ” number rendered by Kavita Krishnamurthy picturized on thundering thighs Sridevi. There was no looking back for Saroj Khan. She was now in the so called ‘big league’ and on the top slot, too. This was followed by ‘Ek Do Teen ‘ in “Tezaab”, & ‘Mere Haathon Mein’ in “Chandni” (1989) & ‘Dil Dhak Dhak Karne Laga’ ” Beta” ( 1992). She also excelled as a choreographer in “Baazigar” & “Darr” (1993), “Mohraa” (1994), “Yaraana” and ” Dil Wale Dulhaniyaan Le Jayenge” ( 1995). Most of her films released in later years the likes of “Devdas”, ( 2002) “Sringaram” ( 2005), “Guru” (2007) & “Jab We Met” ( 2007) won Filmfare & National Awards for best Choreography.
Saroj Khan enjoys the unique distinction of being the only Choreographer to have won 3 National & 8 Filmfare Awards for her best efforts .She also beautifully mixed Western style of dancing in her Choreography to enhance grandeur. In 2014, Saroj Khan again teamed up with Madhuri Dixit in “Gulaab Gang”.
