Saroj Khan continues to be remembered as one of the best choreographers Hindi cinema has ever seen. She had done over 2000 songs in her career and her collaborations with Madhuri Dixit continue to remain iconic – be it ‘Choli Ke Peeche’ or ‘Ek Do Teen’ and the list is endless. She’s been one of the major reasons why most actresses of Hindi cinema have got their big dance song become so memorable.
But Khan was known to be strict, rude and sometimes abusive too. In an interview, choreographer Terrence Lewis has revealed the reason for the same. He said during a chat with Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiya on their podcast, “People who questioned, ‘Why does she abuse or behave so rudely’, they need to know it is extremely difficult for women to work in this industry where it is dominated with men. They have to be rough and strong. The ruthlessness of the industry kills the women in them. They have to turn into men to survive in the industry.”
He further added, “I don’t know if you have noticed, the male choreographers are comparatively calmer than the female choreographers. They are more abusive than the men… And I will tell you why, it is because they have to prove it time and again that ‘Hey, don’t take me lightly, I will whack you otherwise’.”
Lewis said that it’s just needed for them to survive. He added, “We men don’t have to do it as much; but as a woman, you have to, in this male-dominated industry. It’s a sad thing. People have killed the women in them. This is why they even behave, walk and talk like men.”
Saroj Khan passed away in July 2020 at the age of 71.
