The legendary dance director of over 2000 songs in Indian cinema working for several languages Saroj Khan passed away early Friday on account of cardiac arrest. She was in Mumbai Hospital from June 20, 2020.

Saroj Khan dance direction created sensation in Hindi cinema and the best songs of her came to Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit.

The legend Saroj Khan was in Bengaluru in 2018. She directed two songs for Muralikrishna directorial venture ‘Gara’ that also introduced Johny Lever a famous Hindi film comedy actor. One of the songs Saroj Khan directed was in Melukote. Another was a set song for ‘Gara’ Kannada film.

www.chitratara.com spoke to the legendary dance director in 2018. Here it is reproduced.

The legendary dance director of over 2000 films Saroj Khan has firmly stated that she is not very expensive. I won’t eat mutton, fish, or take drinks – you can book an AC train to come to Bengaluru for future films.

Saroj Khan, the one who made so many top stars dance according to her steps, made her debut in Kannada at the age of 69 in ‘Gara’ of director Muralikrishna. Saroj Khan was in Melukote and she was impressed with the location and temple. She had directed two songs for the film ‘Gara’.

The people here are so professional and very fast. It is not like Hindi cinema. Everyone does all jobs and is responsible, she stated in her work atmosphere in Kannada cinema.

The leading and highly respected dance director of Hindi cinema Saroj Khan without any second thought said Madhuri Dixit is the best dancer she had ever seen and her darling was ‘Sridevi’ – I have not given an interview to anyone after Sridevi passed away. I was totally depressed.

None of the artists have given me a diamond necklace as a presentation. It is only Sridevi who gave me a surprise once. For my children she had put Rs.11000 in a cover as a gift.

Another case is Govinda, the top star. He had no money in his pocket. At that time my charge was just Rs.100 to learn dance. He joined without payment and after his first film he came with Rs.24000 as ‘Gurudakshina’. When I was sick and lost memory in 2002, he sent a box that contained Rs.4 lakhs for medical expenses. I am here for you, my mother, he stated, it is unforgettable, says Saroj Khan.

How about the dance today in Indian cinema? It is not good. For everything the same dance is taught. Variety is not given thought.

Yes my dear media friends I have to catch a flight to Mumbai and stand up to the legendary dance director. She was brought to notice the craze of ‘Tezaab’ song Ek Do Teen….how college students used to buy tickets for only that particular song when the film was released in Bengaluru Triveni theatre.

Saroj Khan immediately recollected that she had two tickets that were worth Rs.300 in the black in those days. Two people came asking for it. The first question they asked whether that song ‘Ek Do Teen….is still there are not as the film had commenced.

Legends are legends always!