Madhuri, Saroj to set a new benchmark

If Madhuri Dixit is doing a movie, it is impossible to imagine it without a dance number. The versatile actress, whose performances are incomplete without her trademark latkas and jhatkas, will be setting a new benchmark in her next film, Gulab Gang, the songs of which will be choreographed by Saroj Khan. Interestingly, the veteran choreographer and the nimble-footed actress will be teaming up after a decade, since Devdas, their last outing together.

Incidentally, Khan's name was suggested by producer Anubhav Sinha, who had assisted Pankuj Parashar on the film Rajkumar, for which the actress and the choreographer worked together. "I remember Sarojji showing the steps to Madhuri, who would perform them with such ease and grace as if she had done them before," recalls Sinha. Predictably, director Soumik Sen too felt Sinha was right in choosing Khan. He enthuses that although Madhuri might be looking simpler as the story is set in rural India, they're "planning to do something spectacular in terms of the choreography". Sen adds, "Every Madhuri dance number has always set a new benchmark, that's our intention too." Needless to say, Madhuri's excited about working with Khan after such a long time. As Sen says, "Madhuri feels that Sarojji is immaculate with details and ensures that the facial expressions are in perfect sync with the mood of the song and the character."