The last rites of Saroj Khan will be peformed at Malvani in Malad, Mumbai, news agency ANI reported.

New Delhi:

Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan died this morning in Mumbai after she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 71.

The three-time National Award winner was being treated in the Guru Nanak Hospital since June 20 after she complained of breathing issues. The mandatory Covid-19 test done at the hospital showed a negative result.

“She passed away due to cardiac arrest at around 2.30 am at the hospital,” Saroj Khan’s nephew Manish Jagwani told news agency PTI.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was one of the first politicians to pay condelences to the renowned choreographer.

“My heartfelt tribute to Saroj Khan, the renowned choreographer who was paer of 2,000+ evergreen songs. I share the grief of his family, colleagues in the film world and all the fans,” he tweeted.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar remembered her as a genius choreographer who entertained all with her iconic work.

“Saroj Khan was a genius Choreographer, who impressed & entertained all with her iconic work. Shocked to know about her demise. A big loss to the film industry. Condolences to her family, friends & fans. Om Shanti,” Mr Javadekar tweeted.

“Saroj Khan institutionalised choreography in Indian Cinema,” tweeted Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

Saddened to hear of the demise of #SarojKhan . She was the one who institutionalised choreography in Indian Cinema. pic.twitter.com/m6NXctJ2mt

– Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 3, 2020

My condolences to the family, friends and fans of Saroj Khan ji, really saddened to hear the news of her passing away.
A lot of my childhood memories are of actors and actresses dancing to her steps as an ace choreographer. Rest in peace.

– Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) July 3, 2020

Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condoled the death of the ace choreographer.

Another loss for Indian Film Industry: Ace Choreographer Saroj Khan Ji passes away ????????

In a career spanning more than four decades, she choreographed more than 2000 songs. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to her soul pic.twitter.com/DTP1wRtIza

– Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) July 3, 2020

Tributes for the veteran choreographer also poured in from Bollywood, where she choreographed over 2,000 songs in a career spanning over four decades.

Superstar Akshay Kumar tweeted:

Woke up to the sad news that legendary choreographer #SarojKhan ji is no more. She made dance look easy almost like anybody can dance, a huge loss for the industry. May her soul rest in peace

– Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 3, 2020

Riteish Deshmukh wrote on Twitter: “Rest in Peace Saroj Khan ji. This loss is immeasurable for the industry & film lovers.Having choreographed more than 2000 songs she single handedly changed the landscape of how songs were shot. I had the pleasure of being Choerographed by her in Aladin. One tick off my bucketlist.”

Director and choreographer Remo D’Souza said the death of Saroj Khan was a big loss to dance fraternity.

#RIP SAROJI YOU WILL BE MISSED …. big loss to dance fraternity ….. pic.twitter.com/1Kv5B6CpKv

– Remo D’souza (@remodsouza) July 3, 2020

“Saroj ji’s name introduced the word ‘choreographer’ to my life. A genius who immortalised stars and the music that defined an era with her iconic work. May her loved ones find strength and courage at this terrible hour. There’ll never be another…(sic),” actor Nimrat Kaur tweeted.

The last rites of Saroj Khan will be peformed at Malvani in Malad, Mumbai, news agency ANI reported.

In a career spanning over four decades, Khan is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs, including “Dola Re Dola” from Sanjay Leela Bhansali”s “Devdas”, “Ek Do Teen” from Madhuri Dixit-starrer “Tezaab” and “Ye Ishq Haaye” from “Jab We Met” in 2007.

She last choreographed for “Tabaah Hogaye”, featuring Madhuri from filmmaker Karan Johar”s production “Kalank” in 2019.