Successful Female Choreographers of B-Town!

The Bollywood industry has seen many dancers, actors, directors, singers and who not involved in song and music sequences. However, does anyone ever pay attention to the creativity of the person behind the screen? In this month's special 'women special' edition, BollyCurry brings you some of the best female choreographers of recent times.

Saroj Khan
When the word choreographer is mentioned, one of the many name on the tip of the tongue has to be the legendary Saroj Khan, who in fact is the first ever female choreographer in Bollywood. There is no doubt she has created some master pieces and set the level for others to follow. Her life is dedicated to dance. She has worked in more than 200 films for Bollywood and choreographed for some of the most enchanting actresses of all time, including Madhuri Dixit Nene, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kajol Devgn, Priyanka Chopra, and many more. Some of her works include the movie, Baazigar, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Naa Kaho, and Lagaan. She has also been noted in television shows such as Nachle Ve, Ustaadon Ke Ustaad, Boogie Woogie, Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. More than anything else, she has the true knowledge of grasping the lyrics and bringing forth the emotions through her choreography. Bollywood is indeed lucky to have a female like her.

Vaibhavi Merchant
Vaibhavi Merchant has dedicated her life to choreographing as well. She started as an actor but as destiny has its way, she returned to her passion for dance and started choreographing. Her first solo work was for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Winning a National Film Award for her work, she took a short break only to return again with a bang. Her next dance choreographed was for the famous revolutionary film, Lagaan, on the song O Re Chhori, which was nominated for Oscar. Continuing on with her journey, she gained utmost respect and appreciation for her work in films such as Devdas, Baghban, Dhoom, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Veer Zaara, Aaja Nachle, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and many more, while working with countless famous names from the industry; Anushka Sharma, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are a few to name. Merchant has spanned out of just Bollywood as well and spread her name worldwide while working on an Australian musical, The Merchants of Bollywood, reciting her family's story. She appeared on television to judge reality shows such as Nach Baliye 3, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 3, Zara Nach Ke Dikha 2 and Just Dance. This 37 year old choreographer has a long way ahead of her as she continues to shine the film industry.

Farah Khan
Another name at the tip of the tongue when speaking of choreography is Farah Khan. Not only has she worked for Bollywood, but she's spread her wings out to China and Hollywood in films such as Perhaps Love and Marigold. Khan has won the Filmfare Best Choreography Award six times, that itself speaks for her success in the field. She has also won other awards for her work in various songs, including the films, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil Chahta Hai, Dabaang, Student of the Year, and many more. She has appeared in tons of television shows as a judge as well: Indian Idol, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, Nach Baliye 4, Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, and Just Dance. Farah Khan has acclaimed success not only as a choreographer but as one of the best known.

Geeta Kapoor
Geeta Kapoor, lovingly known as Geeta Maa for her motherly nature, is also one of the best choreographers out there in the Bollywood Industry. She worked as an assistant for Farah Khan at the age of 15, who once complimented her work genuinely that at a point, she outshone Saroj's choreography. She's lent her hand in movies such as Saathiya, Main Hoon Na and the musical, Bombay Dreams. Kapoor continues to live her dream by mentoring contestants in Dance India Dance under the group name, Geeta Ki Gang, as she judges the various seasons as well. It would be right to say she's imprinted her name in both Bollywood and Tellywood rightly.

Rujuta Vaidya
Who says only those in India work for Bollywood? A prime example is Rujuta Vaidya, choreographer who successfully bridged the gap between the east and the west. Vaidya studied classical forms such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam and trained under Saroj Khan. However, she is not to be taken as a classical lover only. She's also spiced her skills with hip-hop, making her an all rounder. Institute of Bollywood Dance and Film (IBDI), a training area for performers with potential careers in film industry has also been founded by Vaidya. Her international fame broadens with Britney Spears's 2009 Circus Tour, The Black Eyed Peas E.N.D. Tour, Oprah Winfrey's Oscar Special, The Slumbdog Millionaire Academy Award winning track "Jai Ho" with A.R.Rahman and John Legend at the Oscars and Priyanka Chopra's NFL video "In My City". Vaidya has also marked her presence in Disney with her choreography for Cheetah Girls: One World and The Journey Home A.R. Rahman 2010 World Tour. Her Bollywood works consist of Jaaneman, Tara Rum Pum and the recent English Vinglish.

Author: Khushi P.
Editors: Saraa K. & Jenifer Y.
Graphics: Maha K.