“Perr-fect” dance-guru Saroj Khan’s demise mourned by Bollywood including Madhuri Dixit, Akshay Kumar , Farah K

Chaitanya Padukone

Current year 2020 seems to be rather jinxed for Bollywood. Besides the colossal financial losses and unemployment, all thanks to the corona pandemic, a series of shocking deaths of luminaries have shattered Bollywood . The tragic-list includes Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Wajid-bhai Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput and now iconic dance-guru and now Bollywood iconic choreographer-TV reality-dance-show judge Saroj Khan (age 71 years). Star-actress-danseuse Madhuri Dixit-Nene who owes her initial claim to instant fame to the rhythmic ‘Ek Do Teen’ song ( Tezaab) to her mentor-guru Saroj, besides so many other dances tweeted .“ Am devastated by the loss of my friend and guru, Saroj-ji. Will always be grateful for her work in helping me reach my full potential in dance. The world has lost an amazingly talented person. I will miss you. My sincere condolences to the family. RIP Saroj-ji” .

Very often Madhuri would fondly mimic Saroj-jee’s famous style of whistling ‘shot-cut’ and then complimenting with her finger-gestures as the latter would exclaim “perr-fect” in appreciation ! Mega-star and agile dancer Akshay Kumar was in grief as he shared, “Woke up to the sad news that legendary choreographer Saroj Khan ji is no more. She made dance look easy almost like anybody can dance, a huge loss for the industry. May her soul rest in peace”.

Meanwhile ace dance-guru and film director Farah Khan who owes her first big-break indirectly to Saroj-jee tweeted, “Rest in peace Saroj-ji..You were an inspiration to many, myself included. Thank you for the songs.” Incidentally, award-winning acclaimed Saroj whose real name was Nirmala Nagpal, later changed it to her professional name ‘Saroj Khan’, ( after having embraced Islam) is among the best and topmost film-dance choreographers from India.

This graceful, exuberant lady had made almost all the top Bollywood stars dance and sway to her innovative steps, movements and facial gestures. She has choreographed over 2100 filmy songs including chartbusters like Hawaa Hawaai ( Mr India), Dhak Dhak Karne Lagaa ( Beta), Tamma Tamma Loge (Thanedaar) and Tabaah Ho Gaye ( recent Kalank ).The otherwise ever-lively, jovial, yet outspoken, strict task-master-nritya-guru Saroj, passed away at a Mumbai hospital early on Friday morning after she suffered a cardiac arrest, her daughter has confirmed. Madame Khan's condition deteriorated on Thursday night in the ICU. She breathed her last at 1.52 am on Friday night. The last rites will be performed at Malvani in Malad (Mumbai) on Friday, according to family sources..RIP Saroj-Jee,---we will always miss you !