Saroj Khan: Celebrated Bollywood choreographer dies at 71

Friday, 3 July 2020 12:07

Khan, who won National Awards three times during her 40-year career, died of cardiac arrest at a Mumbai hospital

Saroj Khan, a top Bollywood choreographer, died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Indian financial hub of Mumbai early on Friday, her family said. She was 71.

The three-time National Award winner was admitted to hospital last Saturday after she complained of breathlessness. She tested negative for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

"She passed away due to cardiac arrest at around 1:52am at the hospital. She had severe diabetes and related illness, and had tested negative for COVID-19," her family said in a statement.

Khan choreographed on more than 2,000 songs in her career spanning more than 40 years. Leading actresses including Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi danced to some of the most popular numbers for which Khan choreographed.

Tributes poured in on social media for the ace choreographer, who was known as the "mother of dance/choreography in India" and fondly called "Masterji" [teacher] by most of the actors she worked with.

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