Saroj Khan (born Nirmala Nagpal; 22 November 1948 – 3 July 2020)[2] was an Indian dance choreographer in Hindi cinema.

She started her career as a child artist at the age of three with the film Nazarana as baby Shyama,[13] and was a background dancer in the late 1950s.

However, she had to wait many years to receive acclaim, which came with her work with Sridevi; their songs together such as Hawa Hawai in Mr India (1987), Main Teri Dushman, Dushman Tu Mera in Nagina (1986) and Mere Haathon Mein in Chandni (1989), and later her collaborations with Madhuri Dixit, starting with the hit "Ek Do Teen" in Tezaab (1988), Tamma Tamma Loge in Thanedaar (1990)[17] and Dhak Dhak Karne Laga in Beta (1992) are hailed as iconic Bollywood dance numbers.

[20] Saroj Khan appeared on a reality dance show as a member of the jury in the first season of Nach Baliye, which aired on STAR One along with two other judges.

In 2012, The Saroj Khan Story, a documentary produced by PSBT and Films Division of India and directed by Nidhi Tuli was released.

[9] Khan was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital at Bandra, Mumbai on 17 June 2020, because of breathing difficulties, and died of cardiac arrest on 3 July 2020 at the age of 71.

Filmfare instituted this award after watching the excellent choreography and audience response in Khan's song "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab.