Re: 10 Famous Celebrities Who Were Background Dancers Prior To Stardom
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:59 pm
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.
7 Farah Khan
After Saroj Khan, if there is any other choreographer who has contributed immensely to Hindi cinema, it has to be none other than Farah Khan. Though she has shifted her attention to filmmaking of late, she still remains one of the most sought-after choreographers in Hindi films. Every leading man and woman of Bollywood desires to be choreographed by the talented lady at least once in their careers. But let us tell you that at one point, Farah was just another girl trying to make a mark in Bollywood. You may not know that in her early days she appeared in a string of films as a background dancer before stardom knocked on her doors. She was a background dancer in 1986 film ‘Sadaa Suhagan’ starring Govinda. Her life changed drastically when veteran choreographer Saroj Khan decided to bow out of the Aamir Khan and Ayesha Jhulka starrer ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992) at the eleventh hour and Farah Khan took over the charge. There has been no looking back ever since.
In a career spanning across three decades, Farah has worked with almost all leading actors and actresses of Bollywood, from Kajol to Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan to Salman Khan. However, her association with superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been the most fruitful one. The choreographer has made the superstar dance to many chart-busting songs. Not just as a choreographer, Farah has worked with SRK as a director also. She cast the actor in her directorial debut ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004). The film was a huge box office success. She followed it up with ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007) and the result was another blockbuster. As an actor-director duo, SRK and Farah last worked in ‘Happy New Year’ (2014) which was also a huge hit at the box office. The choreographer-turned-filmmaker is reportedly planning her next directorial, this time with newcomers though.
TRIVIA: Farah Khan is a first cousin of Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar.
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.
7 Farah Khan
After Saroj Khan, if there is any other choreographer who has contributed immensely to Hindi cinema, it has to be none other than Farah Khan. Though she has shifted her attention to filmmaking of late, she still remains one of the most sought-after choreographers in Hindi films. Every leading man and woman of Bollywood desires to be choreographed by the talented lady at least once in their careers. But let us tell you that at one point, Farah was just another girl trying to make a mark in Bollywood. You may not know that in her early days she appeared in a string of films as a background dancer before stardom knocked on her doors. She was a background dancer in 1986 film ‘Sadaa Suhagan’ starring Govinda. Her life changed drastically when veteran choreographer Saroj Khan decided to bow out of the Aamir Khan and Ayesha Jhulka starrer ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992) at the eleventh hour and Farah Khan took over the charge. There has been no looking back ever since.
In a career spanning across three decades, Farah has worked with almost all leading actors and actresses of Bollywood, from Kajol to Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan to Salman Khan. However, her association with superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been the most fruitful one. The choreographer has made the superstar dance to many chart-busting songs. Not just as a choreographer, Farah has worked with SRK as a director also. She cast the actor in her directorial debut ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004). The film was a huge box office success. She followed it up with ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007) and the result was another blockbuster. As an actor-director duo, SRK and Farah last worked in ‘Happy New Year’ (2014) which was also a huge hit at the box office. The choreographer-turned-filmmaker is reportedly planning her next directorial, this time with newcomers though.
TRIVIA: Farah Khan is a first cousin of Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar.