Madhuri Dixit Pays Tribute to Birju Maharaj, Saroj Khan
Madhuri Dixit marked Guru Purnima by thanking late mentors Pandit Birju Maharaj and Saroj Khan for shaping her as an artist and person.
Mumbai, July 30 — Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene marked Guru Purnima by paying tribute to two of her most influential mentors, the late Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj and choreographer Saroj Khan, thanking them for shaping both her artistry and her personal growth.
In an Instagram post, Dixit shared a collage of photographs with the two figures and wrote: “Happy Guru Purnima. Thank you, Pandit Birju Maharaj ji and Saroj ji, for your guidance and for shaping me as an artist and as a person. With gratitude to every guru who continues to inspire, teach and guide us on the right path.”
Saroj Khan, who died on 3 July 2020 at the age of 71 after a cardiac arrest, choreographed several of Dixit’s most recognisable film songs. Their collaborations include “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab, “Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” from Sailaab, “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” from Beta, “Chane Ke Khet Mein” from Anjaam, “Maar Dala” from Devdas and “Tabah Ho Gaye” from Kalank.
Pandit Birju Maharaj, who passed away on 17 January 2022 at the age of 83 following a heart attack, guided Dixit in classical dance and choreographed the sequence “Kahe Chhed Mohe” in Devdas. His influence is widely regarded as foundational to the classical elements of her screen performances.
Dixit rose to national prominence in the late 1980s with songs such as “Ek Do Teen” and “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya,” both choreographed by Saroj Khan. Over nearly five decades in the industry she has remained closely associated with the dance-driven roles that first defined her career.
By publicly recalling the two mentors on Guru Purnima, Dixit framed her professional achievements as the result of sustained guidance rather than individual effort alone. The post served as both personal remembrance and a broader acknowledgement of the teachers who continue to influence performers across generations.
