Legendary choreographer Saroj Khan passed away on Friday, aged 71. The younger choreographers who claim to have been inspired by her pay tribute to the legend.
Ace choreographer Farah Khan, who succeeded Saroj Khan as the most sought-after choreographer in Hindi cinema during the early '90s, opens up to Firstpost on the influence she had on her career. "Saroj ji was an inspiration to many, including me. I always said I didn't face any gender discrimination when I entered the industry because the reigning choreographer was a woman, and a formidable one at that."
"Her songs are some of the most legendary pieces of choreography in Indian cinema. And that's her legacy for generations to come," adds Farah.
Ahmed Khan, who today is also popular as a director with hits like Tiger Shroff-starrer Baaghi 2 and 3 among others, started working with the legend when he was a child. “Our association began at the age of 11, when I was acting in Mr. India. I used to call her Saroj aunty back then. At 16 again, I joined her, this time as an assistant. So it’s been a long journey with her. We even worked on TV shows like Chak Dhoom Dhoom together. She was my second mother and I learnt a lot while working with her."
Ahmed recalls a recent interaction with Saroj Khan from two years ago. "Recently, we recreated her iconic 'Ek Do Teen' from Tezaab, with Jacqueline Fernandez, for my directorial Baaghi 2. That song was my tribute to her. Although Ganesh Acharya choreographed the new song, we went to her house to seek blessings. She showed us steps that could be included in the choreography. It was my dream as a student, and that got fulfilled."
He touches upon the lessons he imbibed from Saroj Khan as her student. "She’s the woman who made choreography famous in the Hindi film industry. She only believed in work, and wanted to be on the sets till her last years. For example, I became a director and producer but she would tell me she only wants to choreograph till her last breath. She would always say she still has a lot to offer to the industry."
Ahmed also expressed disappointment at losing a number of colleagues at a time when coronavirus outbreak has confined everyone to their homes. "Her passing came as a shock to me. The situation of the industry is so bad in all aspects, not just work. Look at the kind of people we are losing. We are home quarantined, can’t even go visit. It’s a helpless situation."
Bosco Martis, from the popular choreographer duo Bosco-Ceaser, tells Firspost, “I was just going through candid videos of Dance India Dance, that I judged, and where I had interacted with her last. Knowing Saroj ji is knowing Bollywood. She was the queen, and gave choreographers the respect they deserve."
While he may not have worked with Saroj Khan, he has fond memories of conversing with her. "We have shared credits for movies, one that I remember is the Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta-starrer Mission Kashmir. She was shooting on another floor, and had visited the sets to see who Bosco-Ceaser are. She interacted with us an blessed us.
He adds that her contribution to the profession of choreography in Bollywood was unprecedented. "As a child, of course 'Ek Do Teen' had a big impact on me, and the fact that it was the first ever Filmfare aware given for choreography. That’s something she gave to the dance industry and ensured we were on the map."
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/3dULnrP
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