Before the Choreographer: Farah Khan’s Nostalgic Reaction to Her 1987 Debut As a Backup Dancer

Viral Video Shows Young Farah Khan in the Song ‘Feeling Hot Hot Hot’ from the Film Jalwa; Filmmaker Reacts to Her Early Career Days.

Before becoming one of Bollywood’s most successful choreographers and directors, Farah Khan began her career with humble beginnings as a backup dancer. A recent resurfaced clip from her debut film, the 1987 action movie Jalwa, has sent the filmmaker on a trip down memory lane, eliciting a delighted reaction from her and her celebrity friends.

The ‘Feeling Hot Hot Hot’ Throwback

The clip is from the energetic song “Feeling Hot Hot Hot” featured in Jalwa, which starred Naseeruddin Shah and Archana Puran Singh. An Instagram page shared the video, noting that it was “Farah Khan’s first appearance as a professional dancer in a film was as a background dancer in the 1987 movie Jalwa, in the song ‘Feeling Hot Hot.’ Her official debut as a choreographer came later in 1992.”

In the video, a young, curly-haired Farah, dressed in a white outfit, can be seen energetically showing off her dance moves among the background troupe, sharing the screen with the film’s lead actress, Archana Puran Singh. Farah reportedly took the job—which paid ₹300 per day—because it involved flying to Goa, and she had never been on a plane before.

The song was a collaboration, with music composed by Anand–Milind and Remo Fernandes, and sung by Sharon Prabhakar.

Farah’s Reaction and Fan Praise

The nostalgic footage prompted an immediate and fun reaction from the choreographer-filmmaker herself. She commented under the post, simply writing, “Ohhh my goddd!!” accompanied by a laughter emoji. Actress Richa Chadha also responded, calling the throwback “so cute.”

Fans flooded the comments section, praising Farah’s professional journey and even noting her potential as a lead actress:

• “She’s worked really hard to achieve where she is. Kudos.”
• “She looking pretty but I am sure Farah herself will laugh watching her old video.”
• “Farah Khan looked prettier than many actresses back then could have become a female lead.”

One fan humorously referenced her popular YouTube content, asking, “Dilip kaha h,” referring to her trusted house help, who has become a celebrity in his own right through her cooking videos.

From Dancer to Director: The Career Path

Farah Khan’s true professional breakthrough came in 1992 when she landed her first credited job as a choreographer for the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, where she choreographed the famous song “Pehla Nasha.”

She went on to become one of Bollywood’s most awarded choreographers before transitioning to direction. Her directorial debut, the 2004 blockbuster Main Hoon Na, was followed by hits like Om Shanti Om (2007), which launched Deepika Padukone’s career, Tees Maar Khan (2010), and her last directorial venture, the 2014 ensemble cast film Happy New Year, which starred Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.

In her recent work, Farah choreographed the song Ghafoor for Aryan Khan’s debut web series, The B*ds of Bollywood. Additionally, she has diversified into television and digital content, hosting Celebrity MasterChef and numerous celebrity cooking videos on her popular YouTube channel.

---