Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan passes away

Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan passed away early on Friday morning due to cardiac arrest. She was 71.

The three-time National Award winner, who had choreographed some of the most memorable songs in Hindi cinema, was being treated in the Guru Nanak Hospital since June 20 after she complained of breathing issues. Her COVID-19 test done at the hospital showed a negative result.

“She passed away due to cardiac arrest at around 2.30 am at the hospital,” Saroj Khan’s nephew Manish Jagwani said.

Tributes for the veteran choreographer poured in from Bollywood, where she choreographed over 2,000 songs in a career spanning over four decades.

Amitabh Bachchan in a tweet on Friday morning said, writing ‘hands are folded, heart uneasy’, sending out prayers, without naming Khan.

Madhuri Dixit has 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.”

Actor Akshay Kumar wrote on Twitter describing her as someone who “made dance look easy almost like anybody can dance, a huge loss for the industry.”