Late choreographer Saroj Khan played a defining role in turning Madhuri Dixit into one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. From their first major success with ‘Ek Do Teen’ in Tezaab to their final collaboration ‘Tabaah Ho Gaye’ from Kalank, the duo consistently created memorable cinematic moments together.More than two decades after the release of the iconic “Dola Re Dola” from Devdas, Saroj Khan’s longtime crew member Rubina Khan has revealed the physical challenges Madhuri faced while filming the elaborate dance number alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The song featured in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s celebrated period drama, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan.Speaking to Bollywood Thikana, Rubina recalled the extensive preparation behind the song. “It took 17 days to shoot that song. Rehearsals happened for at least a month. We rehearsed separately, and the lead actors rehearsed separately,” she said.She further shared that Madhuri was pregnant during the shoot and struggled through a particularly demanding sequence. “There’s a step in which Madhuri ma’am turns and sits down. That shot kept happening from 9 am to 10 pm because she was four months pregnant. So, she couldn’t turn properly and was feeling dizzy,” Rubina revealed. Despite her condition, the actor reportedly continued without asking for modifications. “She also had fever at that time. She struggled a lot,” Rubina said, praising Madhuri’s dedication to Saroj Khan’s choreography. “She’d never ask for a step to be changed. Whatever Master ji said is set in stone. Newer artists would still tell Master ji a step is tough and if it can be changed. But Master ji would seldom change a step she suggested. She insisted on doing the same step anyhow.”Madhuri had married US-based surgeon Shriram Nene in 1999 and moved to Denver after stepping away from films at the height of her career. It was Bhansali who convinced her to return briefly for the role of Chandramukhi in Devdas. After completing the film, she welcomed her sons Arin in 2003 and Ryan in 2005. She later made a full-fledged comeback with Aaja Nachle before eventually relocating back to Mumbai with her family.Not just Madhuri, even Saroj Khan was reportedly battling severe health issues during the filming of “Dola Re Dola.” Bhansali had earlier recalled her determination while working on the song. “She was in a lot of pain, but she would lie down on the floor and give instructions. She shot for 15 days,” he had told The Quint.The filmmaker also remembered visiting her in hospital after Devdas released. “On the day Devdas released, Sarojji was in hospital. Aishwarya and I went to meet her. In her semi-conscious state she asked, ‘Dola Re Dola pe paise miley ya nahin? (Did the audience shower coins on ‘Dola Re Dola’?)’. Imagine her passion for her work! Even in that state, she wanted to know if her work was being appreciated,” Bhansali told journalist Subhash K Jha following Saroj Khan’s death in 2020.Bhansali once described Saroj Khan as the “Salim-Javed of choreography,” comparing her influence on dance to the legendary screenwriting duo’s impact on storytelling in Hindi cinema. However, despite their acclaimed collaborations, the two later experienced tensions in their professional relationship, with Saroj Khan accusing the filmmaker of denying her proper credit years after Devdas.
