20 Iconic Songs of Saroj Khan: A Tribute To The Legend

Saroj Khan was a Star-maker and the Indian “Grand” Choreographer who created her own signature-style of presenting a Heroine. Her choreography always took the story ahead and never seemed out of place while her heroines always sparkled on screen. Also the अदा , ग़िला , शिक़वा , रूठना, मनाना, नख़रा of the main protagonist portrayed in typical “Saroj Khan” style has been embedded in our minds so deeply that we hardly have forgotten any character who danced on her steps. Ms. Khan was known for out-dancing some of Bollywood’s most famous dancers, teaching them to sway their hips, move their feet and emote in a dozen different ways. She incorporated elements of Indian classical and folk dances into her choreography. You can play any of her songs on any happy occasion and groove. The best thing about the songs that she has choreographed is that they can be played decades later; especially in the current times when melody & beats have vanished from the scene. I can hardly think of any occasion or a party that I have attended or arranged where a Saroj Khan Number hasn’t been played. Her legacy is so rich and her stature so high, that Indian dance is synonymous with her name. They say that every Actress who aims to reach the pinnacle has carried a dream to work as a YASH CHOPRA heroine & to dance on a SAROJ KHAN song.

Saroj Khan (born Nirmala Nagpal) started her career as a child artist at the age of three with the film Nazarana as baby Shyama, and was a background dancer in the late 1950s. As Bollywood’s first female choreographer, Saroj Khan was a pioneer, one of the few women working behind the camera at a time when nearly all the technicians were men. She got her break as an independent choreographer, with Geeta Mera Naam (1974) but rose to fame after immense hard work with the release of “Main Teri Dushman” (Nagina) and “Hawa Hawai” (Mr. India) in 1987 performed by Sridevi. Their pair went on to stir the audiences for almost a decade and her next partnership with her muse Madhuri Dixit went on to create Bollywood history. Madhuri was struggling to establish herself when Subash Ghai gave her Ram Lakhan; it was a small role but “Bada Dukh Deena” played a crucial role in launching her in the big league. “Mere Haathon Mein” in Chaandni (1989), “Ek Do Teen” in Tezaab (1988), “Tamma Tamma” in Thaanedar(1990), “Choli Ke Peechhey” in Khalnayak (1993) and “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” in Beta(1992) are a few of the (Raunchy) blockbusters associated with her Opulent work. Thereafter, she went on to become one of the most successful Bollywood choreographers and shaped up the careers of many stars including Aishwarya Rai (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam/Taal/Devdas) whose “Nimbooda” & “Dola re” songs went on to create ripples at the award shows and almost every event held thereafter.

She passed away recently and the news engulfed me with grief as I have always cherished her work and I am equally sure that this feeling is being shared by millions of fans of Saroj Ji worldwide. I wish to share some of my favourite songs choreographed by the Legend which will stay with me for this lifetime.

1. सुनिए ज़रा देखिए ना (गीता मेरा नाम – 1974)

This song was picturised on Saadhna who played a double role and directed the film as well. This Blockbuster revenge-saga is said to have revived the career of Sunil Dutt apart from establishing Feroz Khan in the major league. This song is shot indoors and also has Saadhnaji clad in a western outfit singing a seductive song to woo the hero. This one is a simple song without any loud beats or rhythm but the choreography is elegant and very Indian. This marked the entry of Saroj Khan in Bollywood as an independent choreographer.

2. निंदिया से जागी बहार (हीरो – 1983)

Meenakshi Seshadri was re-launched by Subhash Ghai in Hero and Saroj Khan presented her beautifully in each song performed by her. “Ding Dong”, “Tu Mera Janu Hai” and “Pyar Karne Waale” were equally loved from this immensely popular film and its music album. But my favourite remains “Nindiya Se Jagi” and the humongous set which was erected for the song still lingers in my mind every time I play it. There was a huge tabla on which Meenakshi danced which was placed in an open field in Ooty. A classically choreographed and aesthetically pictured song by Subhash ji, the choreography suited Meenakshi who was a trained classical dancer. Later on, she was asked once to name her favourite dancer and Saroj Ji said that Its Sridevi af-course, but she really wished that Meenakshi had taken up dancing seriously & passionately apart from acting.

3. मैं तेरी दुश्मन (नगीना – 1986)

One of the best snake-fantasy films in India, Nagina was a blockbuster starring the undisputed Queen of bollywood in the 1980s-90s Sridevi. This song was so popular that it was even being played at weddings. This song is sheer “Saroj-Sri” magic which marked the beginning of this NO.1  Dancing pair in the history of Indian Cinema.

4. काटे नहीं कटते (Mr. india – 1987)

This Cult song is one of the most popular Indian songs apart from being the best sensual song ever picturised for the silver screen.

“Getting her to wear a chiffon sari and a breeze adding to the drama was all a part of trying to make her look her most sensuous ever on-screen” said Mr. India producer Boney Kapoor.

“We had initially thought of a set model for the song, but then we improvised. I provoked Shekhar Kapoor that she (Sridevi) should look more sensuous than what anyone has looked before on-screen. She was quite sensuous in a song in Janbaaz (Har Kisi Ko Nahi Milta), so he took it up as a challenge.”

Kaate Nahin Kat Te gives full expression to the woman who has fallen in Love with a man she can’t see . Seema slithers and sizzles in a blindingly blue sari while being serenaded by her invisible lover. Seema dances with passion as Arun (Anil Kapoor) fades in and out of view. Like an Indian woman, Seema responds with her body and soul while the rain compliments her sensuality – but who created this remarkable phenomenon which would become a pioneer for setting standards of dancing in Bollywood? Saroj Khan!

One can never take out or keep aside this song from the chapters of Indian film Industry and its successful journey.

5. एक दो तीन (तेज़ाब – 1988)

This song launched Madhuri’s successful career and turned her into the county’s Sweetheart overnight. Madhuri, dressed in sequinned purple crop top and multi-coloured skirt slithered onto the ramp, fly kissed the audience, said Namashkar and what followed (in theatres across India) was mass hysteria for this thin/petit multi talented Star. Madhuri Dixit’s million-watt smile, captivating expressions and stunningly magical moves, as she danced to Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s composition in Alka Yagnik’s fresh voice, conquered the viewer in a way probably the picturisation of no other song did in Indian cinema ever before.

6. माई नेम इज़ लखन (राम लखन – 1989)

Never before and much later, has any hero gotten a “धाँसू” & “ज़बरदस्त” Entry like Lakhan (Anil Kapoor) did on screen with this song. Anil Kapoor’s Swagger on “रम पम पम पम रम पम पम रम प्पम पम रमपम” is unmatched till date and no matter how many times Ranveer Singh or any other star might end up replicating/re-creating it, you can not erase the original impact this song created upon its release. Saroj ji was also an expert in presenting male stars in a stylish manner through her craft.

7. ना जाने कहाँ से आयी है (चालबाज़ – 1989)

Another rain-dance performed by Sridevi in a jovial spirit, this song was remarkably choreographed. Sridevi’s traditional mould was broken by Saroj Khan and we all couldn’t help but move on the beats of “किसिके हाथ ना आएगी ये लड़की”.

8. मेरे हाथों में नौ नौ चूड़ियाँ हैं (चाँदनी – 1989)

An epic “Wedding Song” which continues to rule the Dj-Charts 3 decades later. Sridevi yet again……. what more can I say! Saroj Khan and Sridevi were unstoppable in that era and you eagerly awaited their next release. Two extremely opposite Blockbusters songs by Sridevi , back to back, and what variation! Sridevi transformed into the Panjabi-Mode for this song and delivered a chartbuster which would be later recognised as an essential requirement for any Indian wedding that had to take place in India and Abroad. This song reached out to all the NRI’s who played it on full blast wherever they were settled.

9. हम को आजकल है (सैलाब – 1990)

This year belonged to Madhuri who raised the standards of Indian Choreography to higher levels through her immaculate hard work and dedication for Dancing. Saroj Khan & Madhuri’s scintillating pair became a rage in 1990s. There was nothing that could match up with their class of perfection. But, you simply can not deny Saroj ji’s contribution in Madhuri’s success. Madhuri Dixit was the epitome of Stardom in the 90s mainly for the impact her dancing had upon the audiences; it was much later that her acting skills were refined & got her recognition with her roles getting meatier. Sailab was not a big hit but this song was the beginning of the “Unstoppable” & “Uninterrupted” journey of both these stalwarts in terms of popularity and recognition as the Undisputed Queens of dancing.

10. तम्मा तम्मा (थानेदार – 1990)

After the “Jumma Chumma” & “Tamma Tamma” controversy rocked the nation (ironically both were lifted) there was a competition of a sort between the makers of HUM & THANEDAR over the choreography; both songs were instant hits- while Chinni Prakash choreographed AB, the task of overshadowing his work was given to Saroj Khan. Although Sanjay Dutt has been known for having two left feet for dancing, it was Madhuri who saved the day. For me personally, Jumma Chumma is the favourite but Madhuri/Sanjay’s Iconic steps in this song are still copied by many at the dance floors and its popularity is no lesser than the other song.

11. धक धक करने लगा (बेटा -1992)

A controversial song which raced the nation’s heartbeat – Well, Madhuri and Anil’s sizzling chemistry, with Madhuri’s brand new bold avatar, was something Bollywood had never seen before. The impact of this song was Enormous – it brought choreography to another level where you did not need any extra dancers or props or extravagant sets but a genuine dancer like Madhuri to steal the show. This song marked the beginning of a new era in Bollywood where Item Songs took a back seat and Directors were choosing to invest on a good song picturised on the lead stars instead.

12. चोली के पीछे (खलनायक – 1993)

They were not going to take a pause after their hat-trick and Saroj Khan – Madhuri Dixit created a scandalous storm in India with the release of this song. The lyrics were criticised and a national debate went on across all sections of society over the ethical aspects of the film industry. To hell with that, because “Choli Ke Peechhe” is an undisputed masterpiece. Decades later, she continues to cast her spell even after you have seen this song a million times but the real artist behind the success of this extravagant and vibrant dance number is Saroj Khan. MD might have more than a dozen hit songs in her kitty but the history of Indian Cinema has only one Blockbuster Dance number which leaves you mesmerised and in awe every time you watch it and that’s Saroj Khan’s “Choli Ke Peechhey”.

13. ये काली काली आँखें (बाज़ीगर – 1993)

Shahrukh Khan fever gripped the nation from this film onwards & “Kaali Kaali Aankhein” presented SRK with ease on a dance floor. A hugely popular song, its signature steps with the “तू रुरु तू रुरु “ beats are a favourite for many once the song is playing. Its hard for a non dancer to steal the show but SRK did that thanks to Saroj Khan.

14. चने के खेत में (अंजाम – 1994)

Another Magical Madhuri Masterpiece choreographed by Saroj Khan which won multiple Awards and Accolades. The best part about Saroj Ji’s craft was that every new song of hers came with unique signature steps by the stars performing it. Nothing was ever repeated by her in her remarkable journey.

15. मेरा पिया घर आया (याराना – 1995)

Although a flop film, Yaarana will always be known for this song which gathered a huge popularity in those days. The awards were gathered by Chinni Prakash for Mohra that year but this dance number is remembered as one of Madhuri’s finest performances.

16. अख़ियाँ मिलाऊँ कभी अख़ियाँ चुराऊँ (राजा – 1995)

Every year we got at-least one song on which we could dance and party on our own by Saroj Ji in this wonderful era. This song was a Happy, Peppy, Vibrant dance number performed by Madhuri and I still play it at home whenever I feel like dancing. A marvellous Madhuri Show, this garage song maintained her reign at the top.

17. निम्बूड़ा निम्बूड़ा (हम दिल दे चुके सनम – 1999)

The decade ended with this mind blowing Dance number which gave us a new dancing “mega sensation” Aishwarya Rai. She cast a spell on us as Nandini and Saroj Ji made her character unforgettable with her outstanding choreography. She created a different, a little naughtier & mischievous style for Aishwarya in this song which remains iconic.

18. डोला रे डोला (देवदास – 2002)

This spectacular dance number was performed by 2 mega-stalwarts Madhuri & Aishwarya. It redefined the Elegance & Opulence of Indian dancing with its Magnanimous scale. Every bit of it was picture perfect and flawless whereas we all found it hard to chose who performed better out of the two. I still get goosebumps every time I watch it and I am sure the feeling is shared by many.

19. मार डाला (देवदास -2002)

I am being selfish in choosing this one for my list and repeating a film but “Maar Dala” is my favourite मुजरा song. I have been in love with it ever since I saw it and it never fails to mesmerise me even today after 18 years. I do not have the expertise to technically praise it but I can definitely vouch for the fact that it is one of the most aesthetically choreographed song from a trendsetting “Tragedy” Film. Devdas is supposed to be more about Deva & Paro but Chandramukhi’s love & submission for Devdas was portrayed impeccably by Madhuri through this song.

20. छबीला (सावरिया – 2007)

I love this song which was picturised on Rani Mukherji in this utterly fanciful & visually appealing Musical Opera. This was a street song where Rani is singing for Ranbir with a lot of oomph & excitement; her expressions conveyed the essence of her character beautifully and Saroj Khan touched yet another Bhansali Film with her enchanting skills.

There were many other Hit songs choreographed by Saroj Khan which won Awards for her apart from the 3 National Awards that she received. “बरसो रे मेघा मेघा” (Guru), “राधा कैसे ना जले” (Lagaan), “ये इश्क़ हाए” (Jab We Met), “ताल से ताल मिला” (Taal), “तुझे देखा तो ये जाना सनम” (DDLJ) etc. were superhit songs loved and appreciated by cinema lovers and critics.

I can add many other songs in this list because its really hard to restrict Saroj Khan’s legendary work into limited numbers. I did mourn her death for a while but immediately diverted my mind by putting on her songs and swayed on them. That is the sheer beauty of her craft which she has left for us as a legacy. I will surely pass on her work to my forthcoming generations and will continue to cherish these memorable songs which she has gifted us.