Beloved Masterji”: Tributes Pour In For Choreographer Saroj Khan

New Delhi: Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan died this morning in Mumbai after she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 71.

The three-time National Award winner was being treated in the Guru Nanak Hospital since June 20 after she complained of breathing issues. The mandatory COVID-19 test done at the hospital showed a negative result.

“She passed away due to cardiac arrest at around 2.30 am at the hospital,” Saroj Khan’s nephew Manish Jagwani told news agency PTI.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was one of the first politicians to pay condolences to the renowned choreographer.

“My heartfelt tribute to Saroj Khan, the renowned choreographer who part of 2,000+ evergreen songs. I share the grief of his family, colleagues in the film world and all the fans,” he tweeted.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar remembered her as a genius choreographer who entertained all with her iconic work.

“Saroj Khan was a genius choreographer, who impressed and entertained all with her iconic work. Shocked to know about her demise. A big loss to the film industry. Condolences to her family, friends & fans. Om Shanti,” Mr Javadekar tweeted.

“Saroj Khan institutionalised choreography in Indian Cinema,” tweeted Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of the legendary choreographer Saroj Khan Ji. Her passing away is an irreparable loss for our film industry. I offer my condolences to her family, friends & legions of admirers,” Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.

Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condoled the death of the ace choreographer.

Tributes for the veteran choreographer also poured in from Bollywood, where she choreographed over 2,000 songs in a career spanning over four decades.

Superstar Akshay Kumar

“Saroj Khan my beloved Masterji. #RIPSarojKhan From Music Videos to films we had a long journey together. Now you’ve left me and gone. I will do and make what we spoke about one day, my promise to you,” film director Kunal Kohli wrote on Twitter

Director and choreographer Remo D’Souza said the death of Saroj Khan was a big loss to dance fraternity.

Riteish Deshmukh wrote on Twitter: “Rest in Peace Saroj Khan ji. This loss is immeasurable for the industry and film lovers. Having choreographed more than 2000 songs she single handedly changed the landscape of how songs were shot. I had the pleasure of being Choreographed by her in Aladin. One tick off my bucketlist.”

“Saroj ji’s name introduced the word ‘choreographer’ to my life. A genius who immortalised stars and the music that defined an era with her iconic work. May her loved ones find strength and courage at this terrible hour. There’ll never be another…(sic),” actor Nimrat Kaur tweeted.

The last rites of Saroj Khan will be peformed at Malvani in Malad, Mumbai, news agency ANI reported.

In a career spanning over four decades, Khan is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs, including “Dola Re Dola” from Sanjay Leela Bhansali”s “Devdas”, “Ek Do Teen” from Madhuri Dixit-starrer “Tezaab” and “Ye Ishq Haaye” from “Jab We Met” in 2007.

She last choreographed for “Tabaah Hogaye”, featuring Madhuri from filmmaker Karan Johar”s production “Kalank” in 2019.