Saroj Khan And I Learnt Kathak From The Same Masterji, Reveals Helen As She Remembers The Late Choreographer
Helen Remembers Saroj Khan
Updated : July 04, 2020 02:21 PM IST
When it comes to Bollywood and dance, there are very few who can match up to the level of the one and the only Saroj Khan. The legendary choreographer who has directed many super-hit dance numbers passed away on 3 July. The 71-year-old danseuse suffered a cardiac arrest.
Since her passing, the Hindi film industry is anguished. Most of the actors and actresses Saroj ji worked with, shared their grief on social media and also offered their condolences to her family. Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan are in mourning for their late Masterji.
And now Helen who has been hailed as a great dancer herself and specialised in cabaret numbers has reminisced about Saroj Khan in an interview with Bombay Times. She told the publication that the two of them learnt Kathak from the same master!
Helen has been quoted as saying, “Sarojji and I learnt Kathak from the same masterji. She was just 8 years old back then, but extremely talented. She is instrumental in giving Srideviji and Madhuriji an extra push. She contributed a lot to their stardom. In fact, she is a legend. With her talent she revolutionised the song and dance culture in Bollywood. Not only was she good with her classical moves, but also bringing in sensuous twists in the routines. She was purely a gifted talent," she told the publication.
Helen has been further quoted as saying Saroj Khan paved the path for women in Bollywood because according to her at that time only male choreographers used to be there, “She was the only female choreographer of the time. She has given a lot to the film industry, and I am sure she’s been an inspiration to many women at the time.” She told Bombay Times.
She further mulled over her last association with the dance director when they worked together for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Khamoshi: The Musical. Helen stated, she told Saroj ji that she couldn’t match up to her steps to which Saroj ji laughed and told her, “By making such a statement I was embarrassing her” Bombay Times reported.