The Bollywood community is paying tribute to legendary choreographer Saroj Khan, who died of cardiac arrest at age 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports.
A pioneering force in Hindi cinema, Khan was known for films like Beta, Tezaab, Taal and many more. Over the course of her decades-long career, she choreographed over 300 films and 2000 songs, and received three National Film Awards for Best Choreography, the most ever won by one person. She also holds the record for the most Filmfare Best Choreographer Awards, with eight.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who worked with Khan on the 2012 remake of Agneepath, paid tribute to "Saroj ji" on social media on Friday.
"Many of my teenage dreams came true when she choreographed me in Agneepath. Taskmaster, perfectionist, innovator, trendsetter, genius... Saroj ji was many things to many people," she shared on Twitter. "To me, she'll always be an institution that defined an era of dancing with abandon, emotion & passion. गुन गुन गुना रे... May the heavens dance to your tune Masterji... #RIPSarojKhan."
Many of my teenage dreams came true when she choreographed me in Agneepath. Taskmaster, perfectionist, innovator, trendsetter, genius... Saroj ji was many things to many people.
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) July 3, 2020
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/lGo3CHWp8l
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan praised Khan as "my first genuine teacher in the film industry."
"She taught me for hours how to do the ‘dip’ for film dancing," he wrote on Twitter. "One of the most caring, loving & inspiring persona i have ever met. Will miss you Sarojji. May Allah bless her soul. Thank u for looking after me."
My first genuine teacher in the film industry. She taught me for hours how to do the ‘dip’ for film dancing. One of the most caring, loving & inspiring persona i have ever met. Will miss you Sarojji. May Allah bless her soul. Thank u for looking after me.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 3, 2020
Actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit Nene also paid loving tribute to their "dance guru" on social media. Bachchan shared a photo from the set of their movie Taal, writing, "ALL my Love Always too, Saroj ji❤️ May your Soul Rest in Peace ✨🙏✨Much respected, admired and adored as our Dance Guru in our Film Industry...truly a Legend...🌟Such a privilege to have had so many memorable experiences dancing under your guidance...THANK YOU for All your Duas and Blessings always... and so much LOVE 🥰 You will truly be missed ✨ Prayers and much Strength to all your family."
Nene tweeted, "I'm devastated by the loss of my friend and guru, Saroj Khan. 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. #RIPSarojji."
I'm devastated by the loss of my friend and guru, Saroj Khan. 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. #RIPSarojji
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) July 3, 2020
Composer A.R. Rahman, who collaborated on several films with Khan, raved about her life and legacy on Twitter, writing, "You were like the fireworks in all our celebrations. Thank you for all the joy you brought us through your work. #RIPSarojKhan #SarojKhan."
You were like the fireworks in all our celebrations. Thank you for all the joy you brought us through your work. #RIPSarojKhan 🌹#SarojKhan
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) July 3, 2020
See more tributes to Khan below.
Woke up to the sad news that legendary choreographer #SarojKhan 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 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 3, 2020
Rest in peace #SarojKhan ji Dola Re Dola, Yeh Ishq Haye, Tabaah Ho Gaye, innumerable iconic hits..
— Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) July 3, 2020
Every time I got to know you would be choreographing the song I stepped up an extra notch. You brought nuances, expressions, grace on screen with your heroines. The end of an era. pic.twitter.com/wn6H5aXWw8
You were truly one of the reasons dance became an integral part of every household.. your legacy will continue to live on forever.. rest in peace #SarojKhan
— Sidharth Shukla (@sidharth_shukla) July 3, 2020
Saroj mam, my dream of working with you is going to remain a dream 😞 Watched the songs she choreographed all my life and marvelled at how she was able to take out the best from her actresses. What a legend. Rest in peace Mam. #SarojKhan 🙏🏻 😞❤️
— Pooja Hegde (@hegdepooja) July 3, 2020
I bow down my respects for her and my deepest condolences to all the near and dear ones . RIP #Sarojkhan ji 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CLr6musCrO
— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) July 3, 2020
RIP to the most talented coolest choreographer ever! She taught me sooooo much that I always used everywhere in so many other ways. When she danced it was like watching a whole book ! Everything that she wanted to say was there so clearly on her face and in her body language . pic.twitter.com/2whxDwnIid
— Kajol (@itsKajolD) July 3, 2020
We met in so many award functions, clicked so many selfies, can’t forget, how much you adored me and complemented me..I shall cherish those memories forever.. This was the last time I met you before Lockdown.
— Hina Khan (@eyehinakhan) July 3, 2020
Prayers and Strength 🙏
Rest in Peace Saroj Mam🙏❤️
Will Miss you pic.twitter.com/ooAbIl60mT
Saddened to hear the demise of legendary choreographer, #SarojKhan. Deepest condolences to her family & friends. My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha. #RIPSarojKhan pic.twitter.com/5CLpbjiYzC
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 3, 2020
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