Top 5 Dance Choreographers of Bollywood

Bollywood rarely gets far without music and dance. In the eyes of the masses, dance numbers are essential for a good masti-filled movie. We look at the talented choreographers responsible for some of the best B-town dances.

  

There are very few people in this world who can make the most popular men and women dance to their beat.
Choreographers are one such breed who can make the most diva-like heroines bend down to their wishes and the most egotistical heroes shake a leg as they see fit.
In India, the plot of a movie may or may not be a flop when it hits the cinema screen. But if it has even one hip or popular item number, then the entire film can turn into a super hit.
In the world of Bollywood where the importance of dance and music in a film surpasses a good storyline, the value of choreographers is much greater than any film technician or employee.
DESIblitz dives into this world of Indian movers and shakers and uncovers some of the most successful choreographers of Bollywood.

Saroj Khan

Fondly known as ‘Master Ji’, Saroj Khan is the reigning queen of all choreographers in the Indian film industry. Born in 1948, she started her career as a backing dancer at only three years old.
While working as a dancer she also used to learn dance under B.Sohanlal ji and used to assist him too. Climbing the ladder of hierarchy, Saroj ji got her first opportunity as an independent choreographer for the film Geeta Mera Naam in the year 1974. For most of her youth she was a dancer but once she became a choreographer her popularity knew no bounds.
Having choreographed ‘Ek Do Teen’ (Tezaab, 1988), ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai’ (Khalnayak, 1993), and ‘Dhak Dhak Karne Laga’ (Beta, 1992), Saroj ji started a long and fruitful partnership with her muse, Madhuri Dixit. Her style exhumes traditional Indian moves blended with authentic Bollywood steps.

Prabhu Deva

Known as the ‘Michael Jackson of India’, Prabhu Deva’s dancing and choreographing style needs no introduction. Having been trained in classical Indian dance of Bharatanatyam and western styles like ballet, Prabhu’s style is heavily influenced by that of Michael Jackson.
His song ‘Hamma Hamma’ (Bombay, 1995) remains top of the charts and is a baton of his unusual style.

Vaibhavi Merchant

Talking about the flavour of the season, Vaibhavi Merchant proves herself to be a perennial taste which continues to enhance our sense of dance. She has choreographed for recent films like Bhag Milkha Bhag (2013) for which she has recieved rave reviews.
Although Vaibhavi was born as a granddaughter to the legendary Indian film industry choreographer, B.Hiralal ji, she proved her mettle in her first song, ‘Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje’ (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999), for which she won the National Film award for Best Choreography.

Ganesh Acharya

If one is a Bollywood dance enthusiast then one must have come across the viral item song, ‘Chikni Chameli’ (Agneepath, 2012) where Katrina Kaif moves her slender waist in the most aesthetic manner. To teach her those moves Ganesh took just one day.

Shiamak Davar

One choreographer who has changed the way dance itself is perceived in India is Shiamak Davar. Being the first to introduce styles like jazz and contemporary western forms, Shiamak rapidly went on to become the most sought after choreographer of Bollywood. He proved his mettle in his first film, Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), for which he won the President’s National award in choreography.