Filmmaker KR Reddy’s 1990 multi-starrer Sheshnag was billed as a fantasy movie, however the issues the group confronted in establishing its dance observe had been rooted in actuality: a cinema icon, a The well-known choreographer and the rising rigidity between them.
Late choreographer Saroj Khan was entrusted with the accountability of designing a dance sequence for Rekha within the movie, which additionally starred Jeetendra, Madhavi and Rishi Kapoor. The unit was working in opposition to time to movie the quantity, however Rekha, in response to Khan, was not giving them dates.
“The producers had given us very little time, we had three days of rehearsals. Me and my group worked round the clock to make (the choreography) and then requested the producers to send Rekha ji as it was a tough dance. But she didn’t come. I think either he was not feeling well or he had some shooting which, as far as I know, he had shot,” Saroj Khan had stated in an interview to Lehren.
When the day of capturing got here, Rekha was there. But Khan was in for a shock when the star requested to cancel the shoot as a result of climate. Sensing a sample, Saroj Khan confronts her to inform him the reality. “The day she got here, she was carrying solely make-up and never her gown. She was sitting in her automotive and I went to fulfill her.
“She asked to cancel the shoot citing her ill health. I told her, ‘Rekha ji, I think you are allergic to me. I invite you to the rehearsal, don’t you come. You come for the shoot but say you are not feeling well. You can talk to the producer and change the dance masters, tell them you don’t want to work with me. Because something is a traitor.’”
Recalling that Saroj Khan stated that after his assertion, Rekha’s tears had been spilled. “Suddenly he turned his face and when he regarded again he had tears in his eyes. I instructed him that I did not say something flawed to him, however felt that he ought to shoot right this moment. She stated, ‘I’ll undoubtedly shoot right this moment’ and went to prepare.”
Soon after, Khan stated that Rekha’s secretary requested her if she had stated something to the actor “because she was crying.” The choreographer met Rekha once more when she instructed her, ‘I respect you a large number however you instructed me that I do not love your work.’
“To which I corrected him and stated, I simply felt prefer it as a result of everybody has their favourite. Govinda calls Chinni Prakash as a result of he likes him, his model fits him. I do not thoughts if Dimple Kapadia calls Chinni Prakash, simply because she is my scholar doesn’t suggest she has to name me. ,
Similarly, Khan continued, that she often groups up with Sridevi as a result of the star likes her, so if Rekha was extra comfy with another person, she ought to have labored along with her, however delayed the shoot. Not on worth. Khan stated that Rekha heard every little thing and stated it was not so, however “I will do this song and show you how I can dance.”
“In that anger and emotion, the dance turned out beautifully. She danced very well and did all the movements without changing anything. Maybe it was the tension between us, but he did the best, ”stated the choreographer.
However, the strain finally resolved and Rekha and Saroj Khan had been afterward amicable phrases. At an award present in 2019, Rekha kneeled in entrance of the choreographer as he noticed her sitting along with her household. The actress additionally met all her relations earlier than leaving for her seat.
One of essentially the most celebrated choreographers of the Hindi movie trade, Saroj Khan handed away in 2020 on the age of 71. She was identified for the enduring dance numbers of Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
