Saroj Khan was a famous choreographer who was loved by audiences around the world for her talent and kindness. She helped Govinda become a star by teaching him to dance for free when he was struggling financially. Later, when Govinda was successful, he paid her back by covering her fees and her medical bills.
According to the reports by the Indian Express. it revealed that Saroj Khan mentioned in a past interview that “Govinda ji told me from the beginning, “Masterji, I come without a ticket from Virar, I don’t have money to give you.’ I told him, ‘Did I ask you for money? I will ask when you become a star.’ He agreed, and later he got a break.”
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Saroj Khan recalled how Govinda later settled his debts and shared his experiences. “One day a 10-year-old kid came to me and handed me an envelope. I was sitting in a studio. He asked me if I was Saroj Khan, and when I confirmed, he handed me the envelope, saying, ‘Ye Chi Chi bhaiya ne diya (Chi Chi bhaiya has given this).’ The word ‘Gurudakshina’ was written on the envelope. It had Rs 24,000 in it and the paper read, ‘Now I can give Gurudakshina.'”
She also remembered how Govinda once covered her hospital bill and said, “Time passed. I was doing Devdas’ ‘Dola Re Dola’ and I fell very sick. I landed in the hospital, and doctors declared that ‘She can’t be saved.’ That is when Govinda came at night and gave my elder daughter a parcel and told her, ‘Tell Saroji ji her son had come.’ That parcel had Rs 4 lakh for my treatment. This is his upbringing. My academy also started because of Govinda.”
Govinda had great admiration and respect for his guru, Saroj Khan, who was a veteran choreographer. Unfortunately, Saroj Khan passed away in 2020 at the age of 71.
