Creative

Remo D’Souza to helm a biopic on choreographer Saroj Khan’s life

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(This story was first published in the Navbharat Times on July 7, 2020)


By
Sanjay Mishra

Days after veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan’s demise, her daughter Sukaina Nagpal revealed that a few filmmakers had approached the dance maestro for a biopic. However, she was keen that Remo D’Souza make the film.

In an exclusive interview with
NBT.com, Sukaina said, “Mummy’s biopic was in talks for some time. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli first approached us then director Baba Yadav’s wife also wanted to make a web series on her life. Choreographer-filmmaker Remo D’Souza also wished to make one, during the shooting of the film
Kalank. She was keen that Remo should make the film because Remo’s life story is also about becoming a hero from zero. Mummy said that Remo is also in the same profession and he will understand her journey and the incidents that happen in the life of a choreographer well.”



When Remo was asked about the same, he said, “The last conversation on the biopic took place before the lockdown. Sarojji came to my office to talk about it. While shooting the song titled
Tabah Ho Gaye with actress Madhuri Dixit Nene, when we would be together for hours every day, I told Sarojji that her life is inspiring and that a woman-oriented film can be made on her journey. On hearing this, she readily agreed and had said – ‘Bilkul, bol kab banayega. Jaldi bana de”

Remo further said that Masterji was like a mother, sister and mentor for him. “Now it is too early to talk about it. Let this time of grief pass, then I will meet Sarojji’s youngest daughter Sukaina and take things forward. Till now I have not said anything officially on this, but this is my dream project,” he added.

On the choreographer’s journey, Remo further stated, “I would always watch her work closely and learn from it. She started working in the film industry even before we were born. Her journey, struggle, hard work and success, cannot be compared to anyone. There was no one like her, neither is anybody, nor will there be anyone.

Soon after hearing the news of her demise, Remo had shared a heartfelt note with an adorable picture with Masterji on social media. He recalled how she was an institution in herself and also remembered the late dancer’s love and passion for the craft.

Saroj Khan passes away: List of the most well-known songs choreographed by the dance maestro

Unforgettable songs choreographed by Saroj Khan

Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, fondly known as masterji, breathed her last on July 3 at around 1:52 am. The three-time National Award winner was not keeping well for some time. In her career spanning over four decades, Khan is credited with giving Hindi films some of the most iconic and evergreen dance numbers. She has choreographed over 2000 songs and trained actresses like Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit Nene and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan among others. Apart from films, she also contributed her talent on the small screen and judged several dance reality shows. Here’s a look at some of her unforgettable work:

Ek Do Teen

Speak of Khan’s songs and Ek Do Teen is the first one that pops up in our minds. Madhuri Dixit has been wooing her fans for decades now with her graceful dance moves. And the person behind her success is of course none other than Saroj Khan. In fact, in an interview with Mirror Online, Khan had revealed that this song of Madhuri’s always remained closest to her heart. In the same interview, Saroj Khan spoke of the work Madhuri put into the song, rehearsing for hours on end, even after Saroj Khan had said she had perfected it.

Dhak Dhak

The veteran choreographer had time and again said that Madhuri was one of her best and favourite students. Also, Madhuri’s dances to the maestro’s steps are beyond perfect. This slow beat tune is still popular among the audiences. Her sexy moves indeed make the hearts of her fans go dhak dhak. Saroj Khan changed the meaning of what songs did for a film. With her choreography, which could be bold, sensual, risque, full of energy and unapologetic, she really put the heroine front and centre with her steps. Some of the hook steps from her work, are to this day, followed by many dancers, young and old.

Hawa Hawai

Khan trained actress Sridevi for Hawa Hawai in Mr. India. Her dance is just iconic and forces every person to match steps on this chartbuster. Khan got her first break as an independent choreographer with Geeta Mera Naam in 1974 but it took Hawa Hawai for her to receive acclaim as a dance choreographer of repute. This spectacular song will definitely remain with us for a long time to come.

Choli Ke Peeche

This track is also picturised on Madhuri and is still one of the most popular songs of the actress. It also featured Neena Gupta and Sanjay Dutt. The song is from the movie Khalnayak.

Chane Ke Khet Mein

In the interview, Khan had also said, “Madhuri could pick up dance steps easily. She was a trained Kathak dancer and learned for 12 years. But, the problem was she couldn’t shake her hip. The first film we did together was Subhas Ghai’s Uttar Dakshin. From there our journey started and I started teaching her. She was a little slow in the beginning but she got the heck of it.” This song from Anjaaam was a popular number that was repeated at school performances and even in the homes as children would try to match steps with Madhuri.

Humko Aaj Kal Hai

Khan created magic on screen once again with Madhuri in this iconic song from the film Sailaab, making it a number to remember for fans. The track also went on to win a Filmfare award for the best-choreographed song in the year 1990.

Tamma Tamma Loge

Khan once revealed a fun anecdote associated with Madhuri’s performance in Tamma Tamma Loge ” Tamma Tamma Loge was a beautiful song. One of my girlfriends came and told me that she loved Sanjay Dutt in the song. I told her that even Madhuri was in the song and she said she didn’t notice her. I couldn’t believe it. It was something that came out of the blue,” she had said. Tamma Tamma Loge was a long song, extending over 6 minutes and not easy to choerograph, but it gained iconic status after its release. The film Thanedaar released in 1990.

Dola Re Dola

Who else could have performed the song so brilliantly if not the perfect duo of divas Aishwarya and Madhuri? Not only the hook step but the entire choreography of the song is praised by the audience to date. Dola Re Dola is as much a visual treat thanks to the opulent sets of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Devdas, as much as it is about two fantastic and graceful dancers who take centrestage, leaving the viewer spell-bound.

Nimbooda Nimbooda

Nimbooda Nimbooda from 1999’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is picturised on Aishwarya and Khan’s choreography definitely cannot be missed. Her expressions are just breathtaking. Saroj Khan had the ability to infuse her choreography with a range of emotions in just one line. Whether it was Sridevi, Madhuri, Aishwarya or later Aditi Rao Hydari, emotions and expressions were as much a part of her choerographies as the steps themselves.

Ye Ishq Haaye

Kareena Kapoor Khan danced her way straight into people’s hearts with this song from the film Jab We Met. This song still remains a favourite one among the masses. Among the three National Awards that Saroj Khan won, one was for this song. She also won eight Filmfare awards for choreography, the highest till date that anyone has received in the category.



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