Celebrated Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan dies aged 71

Saroj Khan, one of India's most prominent choreographers, has died at the age of 71.

Khan had an illustrious career that stretched four decades, and choreographed some of Bollywood's most iconic and popular songs.

Her career took off in the late 1980s, when she worked on a slew of hit numbers with leading stars like Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi, reports the BBC.

Khan died of cardiac arrest in hospital in Mumbai city, local media reported.

She was admitted to hospital last month after she complained of breathlessness, Indian media reports said. She tested negative for Covid-19.

Her nephew, Manish Jagwani, confirmed to PTI news agency that Khan died of cardiac arrest.

Born in 1948, her introduction into the film industry was as a child artist. In the 1950s, Khan became a back-up dancer, appearing in films like Bimal Roy's Madhumati, where she was choreographed by dance director B Sohanlal, who she later married.

From here on, Khan's career evolved into that of an assistant choreographer until 1974, when she got her break in the movie Geeta Mera Naam.

In the 1980s, Khan became a recognisable name in the industry after she started working with Bollywood stars like Sridevi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, both of whom have danced to iconic Hindi film songs.

Khan choreographed Sridevi in the song Hawa Hawai from the 1987 blockbuster hit Mr India, kicking off her career as a dance director to be reckoned with.

Bollywood took to Twitter to mourn Khan's death, with many, such as superstar Akshay Kumar and director Kunal Kohli, thanking her for her work.

Her funeral was held on Friday morning in Mumbai, news agency PTI reported. She is survived by her son and daughter, Raju and Sukaina Khan.