Subhash Ghai pays tribute to Saroj Khan on her death anniversary, recalls her gift for training non-dancers
Mumbai, July 3
On the death anniversary of legendary choreographer Saroj Khan, filmmaker Subhash Ghai paid a heartfelt tribute to her.
He remembered her extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. Reflecting on their long creative association, Ghai praised Saroj Khan's unique ability to train even non-dancers and transform them into confident performers on screen. In his post, the filmmaker called her an irreplaceable talent whose legacy continues to inspire generations. Sharing a rare throwback image, Subhash wrote, "Dear Saroj Khan Indian cinema wud always miss u as an institutional choreographer with so much instinctive n artistic talent who respected lyricists n music n directors vision in each song Specially me n mukta arts. We Loved We fought. We agreed we dint agree but you were the integrated part of my life as a director of all my films."
"The best part in u was to train a non dancer / new comer n turned them into amazing dancer on screen. I remember - you training Jacki shroff in Hero N Madhuri Dixit in Ram Lakhan - a first filmfare award instituted as choreographer award was given to you for film HERO 1983 Rest is history. You will always be remembered as master choreographer n great human being. RIP."
Legendary choreographer Saroj Khan, fondly known as Masterji, passed away on July 3, 2020, at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest.
The three-time National Award-winning choreographer had an illustrious career spanning decades, during which she choreographed more than 2,000 songs. Some of her most iconic works include evergreen hits like "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from Beta, "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab, and "Hawa Hawai" from Mr. India, among many others.
Her last film as a choreographer was "Kalank" which featured Madhuri Dixit. Her demise was widely mourned across the film industry, with several celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's so touching to see Subhashji remember her like this. Saroj Khan was a legend who shaped Bollywood's golden era. But honestly, I think the industry still doesn't give enough credit to choreographers—they are the unsung heroes behind those iconic songs. Her legacy is unmatched. 🙏
Masterji was a true artist. I still remember watching "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" and being mesmerized by her choreography. Subhashji's words about their creative fights and love show how special their bond was. We need more such tributes to keep her memory alive! 🌹
A beautiful tribute, but I wish Subhash Ghai had also mentioned her struggles as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Saroj Khan broke so many barriers. Her journey from a child artist to a National Award-winning choreographer is inspiring. Still, her work speaks for itself—timeless and iconic! 💃
Saroj Khan was the soul of Bollywood's dance. "Hawa Hawai" and "Ek Do Teen" are still party anthems! Subhash Ghai's note is emotional—you can feel the respect he had for her. She truly was an institution. Rest in peace, Masterji. 🙌
I agree with Subhashji, but I feel we often forget the choreographers behind the stars. Saroj Khan's ability to make even newcomers like Madhuri Dixit look flawless is proof of her genius. Her legacy should be celebrated more often, not just on death anniversaries. A true legend!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.