A look into the sweet and sour love life of Saroj Khan, who was married twice and embraced parenthood at 14. Here's everything you need to know about the late iconic choreographer.
Saroj Khan was born on November 22, 1948, and at the age of three, she started working as a child artist in Hindi cinema. She portrayed the character of 'Baby Shyama' in the film, Nazarana and worked as a background dancer in the late 50s. It was in 1974 that Saroj Khan made her debut as an independent choreographer with the film, Geeta Mera Naam. She is often regarded as the first female choreographer in Bollywood.
In a decades-long career, Saroj Khan worked in a series of timeless classics and blockbuster films. Although most of the songs that she choreographed are flawless, some songs are still like poetry in motion. Saroj Khan's most famous choreographed songs include Hawa Hawai (Mr India), Kaate Nahi Kat Te (Mr India), Ek Do Teen (Tezaab), Mere Haathon Mein (Chandni), Channe Ke Khet Main (Anjaam), Yeh Ishq Haaye (Jab We Met), Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar (Sailaab), Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Beta), Choli Ke Peche Kya Hai (Khalnayak), Nimbooda Nimbooda (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), Dola Re Dola (Devdas), and Barso Re (Guru).
For the uninitiated, Saroj Khan holds the record of winning most National Film Awards for choreography (three). She was also the first winner of Filmfare's Award for Best Choreography, which she won for Tezaab's song, Ek Do Teen. Saroj Khan ended her career with eight Filmfare Awards, three IIFA Awards, one American Choreography Award, and many more.
The legendary choreographer, Saroj Khan is often credited for transforming Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, and many A-listed actresses into iconic dancers. Apart from being a celebrated choreographer, Saroj Khan had a rollercoaster personal life that is not known to everyone. So, without further ado, let's get into it.
Saroj Khan learnt dance and a series of things about choreography from B. Sohanlal, who was also a renowned Bollywood choreographer of that era. The choreographer taught Saroj the basics of Manipuri, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and Kathakali when she was in her teens. While learning dance from B. Sohanlal, Saroj fell in love with her guru, and even he was attracted to her. At the age of 13, Saroj got married to B. Sohanlal, who was 43 at the time of their marriage.
In the following year, Saroj gave birth to her first child, Raju Khan, when she was just 14. After their first son's birth, Saroj learnt about her husband, B. Sohanlal's shocking truth. For the uninitiated, B. Sohanlal was already married and had four kids when he tied the knot with Saroj Khan. The shocking truth created a major rift between them, and after being together for three years, Saroj and Sohanlal parted ways in 1965.
After parting ways with each other, B. Sohanlal and Saroj Khan started living separately. It was in the same year when B. Sohanlal suffered a heart attack, and it was Saroj who came to his aide. The two came closer, and after some months, Saroj gave birth to their second child, a daughter, Cuckoo. However, not everyone is aware of the fact that before giving birth to Cuckoo, Saroj gave birth to a baby girl, who tragically died within the first eight months of her birth. As per the choreographer, B. Sohanlal disappeared from her life after the birth of their second child, Cuckoo.
For the uninitiated, Saroj Khan converted to Islam in the following years. In an old interview with a publication, she was asked about the reason behind her decision to leave Hinduism and convert to Islam. Revealing the reason behind her conversion, Saroj Khan revealed that she saw her dead baby girl sitting inside a mosque and called her to come inside. The choreographer saw the same dreams several times, which inclined her towards Islam. She said:
"I lost a baby girl. I used to have recurrent dreams about her calling out to me from inside a mosque. She used to call me inside again and again, which is something that ultimately led to my conversion."
In the 1970s, Saroj Khan met a businessman named Sardar Roshan Khan and fell in love with him. Just like her first husband, B. Sohanlal, Sardar Roshan was also a married man and also had some kids. However, unlike Sohanlal, Sardan was deeply in love with Saroj and was ready to accept her children and give them his name. Once, in an old interview, Saroj Khan admitted that she and Sardar's first wife lived like sisters and never regretted marrying him. The ace choreographer labelled Sardar Khan as 'Godsend' and admitted that she was happy with him. The couple also welcomed a daughter and chose the name Sukyna Khan for her.
Saroj Khan passed away on July 3, 2020, at the age of 71, due to a heart attack. Every year on her birth anniversary, November 22, 1948, the entire social media is filled with posts in her praises as she continues to inspire generations with her incredible legacy.
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