When late choreographer Saroj Khan had hailed Shah Rukh Khan as the male version of Madhuri Dixit - Here's why

The late and legendary choreographer Saroj Khan had once given Shah Rukh Khan a unique compliment. She had tagged him as the "male version of Madhuri Dixit." This praise came after their collaboration on the iconic song of 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein' from 'Baazigar'.

Late Saroj Khan on Shah Rukh Khan

According to Saroj Khan, she will never forget her days with SRK during the shoot of the song 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein.' In an old interview with Lehere Retro, Saroj Khan revealed that Shah Rukh initially brushed off rehearsals, telling her he would learn the steps on set. But once he faced the complex choreography, he ended up practicing each move for nearly an hour before filming. “He labored so hard for the song, he deserves an award for it. But he did his best,” she recalled with pride. Saroj Khan added with a smile, “He’s the male version of Madhuri Dixit.”

About 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein'

The song was one of the top hits of the 1990s featuring King Khan and Kajol. It was sung by Kumar Sanu and composed by Anu Malik, and remains one of the most loved tracks of the 90s. The song earned praise not just for the music but also for its choreography.

Directed by Abbas-Mustan, 'Baazigar' was a blockbuster hit. The movie showed us a new side of Bollywood's storytelling, with the protagonist portraying a negative role. The film launched Shah Rukh Khan as a solo leading actor, gave Kajol her first commercial hit, and also launched Shilpa Shetty’s career. Along with Rakhee, Dalip Tahil, Siddharth Ray, and Johnny Lever, it remains one of the best thrillers in Bollywood.

More than thirty years after 'Baazigar', it remains an important film in Hindi cinema. Saroj Khan's aside about Shah Rukh being the male equivalent of Madhuri Dixit adds another distinct layer to the film's uniqueness.