10 Famous Celebrities Who Were Background Dancers Prior To Stardom

8 Saroj Khan

Saroj Khan is considered a legend in the field of film choreography in Indian cinema. There have been many choreographers since the inception of the film industry in India, but the kind of name and fame Khan has achieved over the years with her sheer hard work and dedication, seem impossible for others to attain. But before she became a force to reckon with in Hindi films, Saroj had to struggle for many years as a background dancer. She began her career as a child artist at the tender age of three with the film ‘Nazarana’. In the late 1950s, she started as a background dancer and appeared in many films of the black and while era. It was this time when she decided to train herself properly in various dance forms and so began working under popular choreographer B. Sohanlal. After working as an assistant choreographer to Sohanlal for many years, Saroj decided to branch out as an independent choreographer and did her first film Geeta Mera Naam in 1974.

Things did not turn out to be as she had planned. It was a tough time for Saroj Khan because, after Geeta Mera Naam, she did not get the kind of work which could help her establish herself in the competitive industry. However, her time changed when she got an opportunity to work with Sridevi in a number of successful films like ‘Naagin’ (1986), ‘Mr India’ (1987), and ‘Chandni’ (1989), to name just a few. Her association with another popular actress Madhuri Dixit catapulted her to superstardom. Soon, Saroj Khan became the most-sought-after choreographer in Hindi cinema. Every leading heroine of that period wanted to work with her, but her best work came with Madhuri. She choreographed Madhuri Dixit in blockbuster films like ‘Tezaab’ (1988), ‘Thanedaar’ (1990) ‘Beta’ (1992) and ‘Anjaam’ (1994). She has worked in more than 250 films.

TRIVIA: Born to Kishanchand Sadhu Singh and Noni Sadhu Singh, Saroj Khan embraced Islam at an early age.