Pappu Khanna Honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Bharat Gaurav Samman 3rd Time

On April 30, veteran choreographer of the cinema world, Master Pappu Khanna was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Bharat Gaurav Samman Award 2025 for the third time. In this grand event organized by Bhartiya Manav Sewa Sangathan, in association with Rajshri Film Production and Academy and Kohinoor Entertainment and CA (Charity for Cancer Patients, Blind and Needy People), the pride of the cinema world, Pappu Khanna, attended as a VVIP guest and awardee.

The organizer and show director of this show was Rajshree Verma. On such an occasion, when I met Pappu Khanna ji, (through courtesy of our Mayapuri magazine editor Mr. Pramod Kumar Bajaj Ji ) I had a lot of talks with him. Pappu Ji had recently returned from Kashmir after a shoot and is busy with many other films and shows. Recently, one of his songs, 'Eid Mubarak' (Salman Ali), has become a hit. Here are some highlights of a conversation with Guruji Master Pappu Khanna.

You are known as a great choreographer, it was definitely not easy to reach to this position . You have reached here after going through a lot of struggles. So when you look back, do you find it worth ?

Pappu Khanna---- First of all, I do not look back at all. Those who have retired and have no work, they look back, . I am so busy that I do not get time to look back. Right now I am doing everything from choreography of many films to albums. Now I don't have to go to the producers to ask for work like before. The producers themselves offer work to me. As far as struggle and worth are concerned, yes, everything is worth it. It is only through struggle that a person is tested and becomes gold.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Pappu Khanna's story is one of relentless passion, discipline and a lifelong love for dance. From a young age, Pappu Khanna was drawn to the rhythms and melodies that define Indian cinema. His father Master Sohanlal Khanna was also a renowned choreographer in the cinema world. Pappu Khanna began formal training in Kathak under the guidance of Guru Badri Prasad Awasthi, devoting over 11 years to mastering the classical form. He further honed his skills as a group dancer at the local academy and in several films, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in choreography.

Pappu Khanna was not interested in studies, but he was adept at dancing. Pappu Khanna's journey as a choreographer began surprisingly at the age of 16. At the age of 16, he was choreographing for Punjabi films. He made his debut with "Lambaardarni" (1976) and later with "Sarpanch" (1982). His early work in regional cinema quickly caught the attention of filmmakers and he was soon invited to participate in group dances for Bollywood. Those films included a memorable appearance in the classic film “Don” (1978) where he stunned everyone with his performance in the iconic song “Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya Tu Dekh Babua”.

The 1980s saw Pappu Khanna’s steady and rapid rise in the Hindi film industry. He rose from being a group dancer to the chief choreographer and worked his skillful choreography in many successful films.

Master Pappu Khanna’s choreography was renowned for its blend of classical art and contemporary style, making him the most preferred choreographer among producers, directors and superstars alike.

In his illustrious career spanning 46 years, Pappu Khanna choreographed over 600 films in Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Bhojpuri cinema. Some of his most hit and famous Hindi films are as follows:

Damini: Known for its strong storyline, Khanna’s choreography added emotional depth to the memorable songs of the film.

Guddu: Starring Shah Rukh Khan, The dance sequences in the film showcased Khanna's versatility.

Ghatak: His choreography in this action drama remains the highlight of his career to date.

Nikaah: A film that was a blend of romance and drama, made even better by the brilliant choreography of the master Pappu Khanna.

Jai Kishan and Lal Baadshah: Both films had high energy and innovative dance numbers.

Tere Payal Mere Geet: This musical classic is a landmark example of Pappu Khanna’s amazing classical dance. However, the public did not get to understand this high classic film, which is a matter of regret.

Babuji Ek Ticket Bombay Ka and the Marathi film Kay Re Rascala (2017) are the recent projects that underline Khanna’s evergreen relevance in Indian cinema. He also choreographed the acclaimed films like Tawaif, Sarfarosh, Band Darwaza, Jeeva (1986) which are memorable with his expert choreography. If we keep on listing such films, it will take pages to fill. Master choreographer Pappu Khanna's work spans across genres and generations, he has choreographed for top stars like Rajendra Kumar, Asha Parekh, Mala Sinha, her daughter Pratibha, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, Dharmendra, Kamalhasan, Sunny Deol, Kumar Gaurav, Bobby Deol, Jeetendra, Rekha, Rakesh Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Sunil Shetty, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Salma Agha, Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty, etc.

How was your experience of choreographing these big stars?

Pappu Khanna: As much as I enjoyed working with them, they also enjoyed working with me. I feel proud to say that all these superstars of today started their first film with my choreography and today all of them are superstars.

Pappu Khanna told that he first got the offer to choreograph Salman Khan's first film 'Maine Pyar Kiya' but they had a condition that he will not work in any other film during the making of this movie . Pappu ji said, "In those days I was working in dozens of films simultaneously, how could I accept such restrictions. That is why I left that film."

You have worked with many top producers, directors and superstars. How much difference do you see between today's producers and directors and today's superstars?

Pappu Khanna - - - Yes, I have worked with all the cream producers and directors of Bollywood in the last 46 years like BR Chopra, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Pahlaj Nihalani, Rajshri Productions, Rajkumar Santoshi, KC Bokadia, T Series founder Gulshan Kumar, Bappi Lahiri, and working with them was a golden experience. BR Chopra ji had even said that just like there are family doctors, you are the family choreographer of our films. I choreographed all his films starting from Nikaah. I had the same relationship with Pahlaj ji and Hrishikesh ji. The most beautiful thing was that no one bound me in the bondage of contract. I used to stay in Kolkata, Delhi, Patna, Punjab for many days for shooting regional films. In Mumbai, everyone used to wait for me eagerly and I too used to join them as soon as possible .  

As far as stars are concerned, all the top stars were very happy working with me. Today times have changed. The people of the past are either no more or have retired. Now the new generation has their own policies . They have their own monopoly. Young stars choose choreographers as per their convenience, who can tell them easy steps and work according to their time. Today, most of the stars tell the choreographers what kind of dance they want and the choreographers work accordingly (laughs), now that Guru thing is no more. In the earlier times, the choreographer was addressed as Guruji, Masterji, Ustaadji, today dance directors are just called a choreographer. Now dance has become like physical training, without expressions, just jumping, flying, doing aerobics, i.e. Like school PT. The way I used to teach dance, or the way Master PL Raj, or Master Saroj Khan used to design dances, that is not there now. Well, when time changes, many things change. My talent is with me, that's why even today I get offers even sitting at home. I work according to my terms, conditions and timings and am very busy.

People say, (I can also see) that your face is very similar to Kamal Haasan, why didn't you take advantage of it.

Pappu Khanna: In those days, due to this resemblance , I used to get lot of offers to become a hero in Punjabi films, Bengali films, Madrasi films. But I knew that the career life of a hero is short while that of a technician is very long. And then I wanted to become my own boss. That's why I chose choreography.

While in conversation he also talked about the popular magazine MAYAPURI. He said, "My relationship with Mayapuri magazine dates back to the time when I was a 16 year old teenager. My father Sohanlal was very friendly with Mayapuri's founder A.K. Bajaj. In a way, I can say that Bajaj sahab also had a big hand in making my career . I am very friendly with his son, editor- Pramod Kumar Bajaj and Pramod ji's son Aman Bajaj. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I inform them, I keep meeting them. We also had a lot of meetings during the Punjabi film he made.

Pappu Khanna's choreography is reputed for its seamless integration of classical Indian dance with modern Bollywood moves. His deep understanding of storytelling through rhythm, expression and movements has inspired countless dancers and choreographers. Khanna's commitment to his craft is reflected in the many styles he has set.

Despite his fame, Khanna is a down to earth and family-oriented man. His daughter Priya’s achievement as Mrs India Queen in 2019 is a testament to the artistic spirit that runs in the family. Now married, Priya is the queen of her own family world.

In his free time (which he hardly gets) Pappu Khanna enjoys cricket and continues to engage with fans and the film fraternity. In 2021, he made a splash on The Kapil Sharma Show. Starting his career in cinema as a young dancer, Pappu Khanna’s journey is a story of his talent, skill, dedication, innovation and hard work. His choreography has shaped the visual language of Indian cinema, delighting millions for 46 years (and even today) and inspiring generations of dancers. He said, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul. Through every step, I try to tell a story that touches hearts."

As he celebrates over four decades in the world of cinema, Pappu Khanna's legacy continues to grow, reminding us that with passion and perseverance, dreams can truly take flight on the silver screen.

He went on to say, "Everyone should keep working and be carefree and happy. I haven't retired yet. I work hard, if there is a body, there are ailments. The family doctor keeps treating me, asks me to avoid food and drink, asks me to rest, but I do what I like, I eat what I like, let the doctor do his work, I keep doing my work. This is life."

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