Saroj Khan: The Woman Who Taught Bollywood to Dance — Married at 13, Forced to Convert, and Rose from Pain to Power
Known affectionately across the film industry as ‘Masterji’, Saroj Khan is remembered not just for revolutionizing Bollywood choreography, but also for a life marked by immense personal struggle and perseverance. She trained some of the industry’s brightest stars—Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Karisma Kapoor, among many others—and brought the art of dance to center stage in Indian cinema. But behind the glitz of fame lay a past filled with hardship, emotional scars, and survival.
Today, no major Hindi film feels complete without grand musical numbers or intricate dance routines. Visionaries like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sooraj Barjatya may have popularized these visually opulent traditions, but it was Saroj Khan who first gave dance in Bollywood the dignity and identity it deserved. At a time when choreographers were mere names in the credits, she emerged as a creative force to be reckoned with.
A Childhood Marked by Hunger
Born Saroj Kishan Chand Sadhu Singh Nagpal, her early life was one of poverty and displacement. Her family migrated to India from Pakistan during the traumatic Partition era, leaving behind everything. The move took a heavy toll—her father passed away soon after, and the family’s financial condition worsened.
In a deeply moving interview with the BBC, Saroj recalled the helplessness of watching her mother pretend to cook with empty pots, hoping the illusion would lull her children to sleep with the belief that food was on its way.
Entering Films as a Child
To support her family, Saroj stepped into the world of cinema at an early age. She appeared in films as a child artist and helped shoulder the burden of educating her siblings and arranging their marriages. But by the time she turned ten, film offers dried up—she was considered too old for child roles, yet too young for adult parts.
A Deceptive Marriage at 13
At the vulnerable age of 13, Saroj entered into a marriage with Sohanlal, a 43-year-old dance master she had met while working as a background dancer. Unbeknownst to her, Sohanlal was already married and had four children. Saroj later revealed that he had concealed this fact and manipulated her into marrying him. Their union was never publicly acknowledged by him.
She bore him a daughter who tragically died soon after birth, and later had another child. The truth of Sohanlal’s existing family emerged later, and Saroj, heartbroken and betrayed, made the decision to separate from him.
Finding a New Beginning
Years later, in 1975, Saroj married Sardar Roshan Khan. Before agreeing to the marriage, she laid down one clear condition—he must accept her children as his own. Roshan Khan, who already had four children from a previous relationship, agreed. Together, they had two more children. Ahead of their marriage, Saroj converted to Islam—leaving behind her Sindhi Punjabi roots.
