In yet another heartbreaking news, veteran choreographer Saroj Khan breathed her last at the age of 72 on July 3. She died of cardiac arrest and was reportedly suffering from severe diabetes and age-related illness. The sudden demise of the veteran choreographer has sent Bollywood into mourning.
Amitabh Bachchan, on his Instagram account, shared a throwback picture with the acre choreographer and wrote, "You rest .. you rest well .. you rise .. you realise the hours .. you seek the elixir .. you devour .. you get to connect .. … and .... you be informed in this communicative world ..Saroj Khan has died .... and an entire history of time races before you in the cerebrum ..She was a sprightly young enthusiastic dance assistant to one of the major dance directors of the time .. of the time when I was just beginning .. of the film ‘Bandhe Haath’ with the heart throb of millions Mumtaz .. with the director OP Ralhan .. Mumtaz’s grace and acceptance to agree to work with this newbe .. she a stratospheric Star , me a nobody .... and Saroj ji in the crowd of dancers in a song .. her subtle grace when she moved .. at one point I saw her , quite alarmingly , finding the foetus had shifted in her stomach and she simply unabashedly pushed it into place , and carried on .. dancing .... and then over the years .. she excelled and attained the podium title of Dance Director .. or as the language changed , the Choreographer of film .. her moves becoming famous for each artist she worked with .. and when she would see an artist give a good shot under her care .. she would call her or him aside .. and .... give a rupee coin .. as a gesture .. as a pat on the back .. a ‘shagun’ .... many many years later .. during the song sequence of a film I was doing .. I became the recipient of that coin .. an immense achievement ..Saroj ji .. you gave us and the industry , rhythm, style, grace of movement and the art of converting the lyrics in a song to a meaning in dance .... on a chance meeting many many years ago she paid me my best compliment ..she was living in Dubai then from marriage and when DON was released she said “ I saw the film and then after, I would go to the theatre where it was released, at the time when your song ‘khaike paan.. was on , see it and come out .. I used to do it regularly every day .. I would tell the usher to let me in just to see the song and leave .. that is how much I enjoyed your dance moves ..” !! coming from her was the ultimate .... a legacy has passed away."
Abhishek Bachchan offered condolence and tweeted, "My first ever song was choreographed by Saroj ji. And then so many more. You taught me so much. I will miss you, Saroj ji. May you rest in peace."
My first ever song was choreographed by Saroj ji. And then so many more. You taught me so much. I will miss you, Saroj ji. May you rest in peace.
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 3, 2020
(Source: Instagram/Twitter)
