This morning we all woke up to the news of Saroj Khan’s sad demise. The veteran choreographer breathed her last this morning. She was 72 and died due to a cardiac arrest in the ICU of a hospital in Mumbai. Soon after the news of her death spread, Bollywood poured in their condolence messages for her family and remembered Khan with the best of the memories they had with Masterji. A while back, Amitabh Bachchan paid his tribute to Saroj Khan. Sharing an anecdote, Big B revealed that whenever Masterji saw any actor giving a great shot under her guidance she would call him aside and give them a coin as a ‘shagun’ as a pat on their back.
Sharing a monochrome picture, Big B’s note read, “Saroj ji in the crowd of dancers in a song .. her subtle grace when she moved .. at one point I saw her , quite alarmingly , finding the foetus had shifted in her stomach and she simply unabashedly pushed it into place , and carried on .. dancing .. and then over the years .. she excelled and attained the podium title of Dance Director .. or as the language changed , the Choreographer of film .. her moves becoming famous for each artist she worked with .. and when she would see an artist give a good shot under her care .. she would call her or him aside .. and .. .. give a rupee coin .. as a gesture .. as a pat on the back .. a ‘shagun’ ..”
Big B recalls that he was fortunate enough to receive the coveted coin, once, “many many years later .. during the song sequence of a film I was doing .. I became the recipient of that coin .. an immense achievement. Saroj ji .. you gave us and the industry , rhythm, style, grace of movement and the art of converting the lyrics in a song to a meaning in dance .. .. on a chance meeting many many years ago she paid me my best compliment .”
“She was living in Dubai then from marriage and when DON was released she said “I saw the film and then after, I would go to the theatre where it was released, at the time when your song ‘khaike paan.. was on , see it and come out .. I used to do it regularly every day .. I would tell the usher to let me in just to see the song and leave .. that is how much I enjoyed your dance moves ..” !! coming from her was the ultimate .. a legacy has passed away,” concluded the note. (ALSO READ: Saroj Khan Passes Away: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Madhvi And Komal Recall Their Shooting Experience With Masterji- EXCLUSIVE)
Rest In Peace, Masterji.
Images Source: instagram/amitabhbachchan