31st May 2023,Mumbai: The bond between Salman Khan and the late choreographer Saroj Khan dates back to the very beginning of his career. As many are aware, Salman stood by Saroj Khan during a challenging period and even extended his support by contributing to her grandson’s heart surgery. However, there was a moment when Salman, overwhelmed by frustration, raised his voice at Saroj Khan and made a vow to never collaborate with her again.
During the making of the film “Andaz Apna Apna,” Saroj Khan took charge of the choreography. While she focused on teaching Aamir Khan some intricate dance moves, Salman was left with a prop, which left him irritated. This led the actor to place blame on the choreographer for the situation.
Saroj Khan, an acclaimed choreographer known for delivering iconic dance sequences in Bollywood, discussed the significant rift between her and Salman Khan during an old interview with Zoom. According to her, Salman boldly declared, “Once I become a top hero, I will not work with you,” expressing his reluctance to collaborate with her in the future.
Saroj Khan further revealed that Salman continued to avoid working with her for an extended period, harboring resentment from the “Andaz Apna Apna” incident. She went on to share that the film’s director, Rajkumar Santoshi, had instructed her on the dance arrangements, and while she expressed regret if anyone felt offended, there was little she could do to alter the situation. With a touch of conviction, she concluded, “If you don’t want to cooperate, then so be it. God provides sustenance to all.”
In a gesture of reconciliation, Salman Khan eventually came forward and assured Saroj Khan of offering her a role in one of his future films. However, years later, in a 2019 interview with Mid-day, Saroj Khan revealed that there was a period in her career when she was not receiving any film offers.
-by Kashvi Gala