Wajid Khan, Bollywood’s Mr Dependable Composer, is a Towering Musical Talent Gone Too Soon

Bollywood

Wajid Khan, Bollywood’s Mr Dependable Composer, is a Towering Musical Talent Gone Too Soon

wajidkhan
Illustration: Arati Gujar

The year 2020 continues to be the bearer of bad news. Only a month ago, Bollywood had to bid adieu to legends Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. On Sunday, music composer Wajid Khan passed way.

Forty-two-year old Khan of composer duo Sajid-Wajid was laid to rest at the Versova Kabristan in Mumbai on Monday. Khan had been hospitalised at the Surana Hospital and Research Centre in Chembur after he developed a kidney infection and had to be put on a ventilator as his situation worsened. Wajid had multiple health issues in the past owing to his kidney complications and had had a transplant for the same. He had also tested positive for Covid-19. His brother Sajid told PTI, “He died of cardiac arrest.”

Tributes kept pouring in for the music composer throughout the day. Salman Khan-starrer Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya was the debut project for the duo. Khan said he’d really miss Wajid.

Actress Katrina Kaif posted a picture on Instagram with a heartfelt message.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan called him a bright, smiling talent.

Music director Salim Merchant was devastated by the news and said it was “a huge loss to our fraternity.”

Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani was heartbroken at the loss of one of his “close & true” friends.

In an Instagram post, he also reassured Sajid Khan that he will never be alone.


Shreya Ghosal remembered her Wajid bhai for his positivity and warmth, and called him “an unstoppable force of music.” As a newcomer in the industry back in the day, Ghosal found comfort in Wajid Khan who made her feel like family. His humility and unrelenting love will continue to live on in her memories.

“I can’t come to grips with this tragic news,” read Adnan Sami’s tweet.

Sona Mohapatra who was seen with Wajid Khan as one of the many judges on the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, expressed her grief and “regret” at not reaching out to the “kind & generous” composer, who had been in poor health for a while, during the lockdown.

Writer-director Milap Zaveri remembered Khan’s music as something that “gave soul” to his films.

In an old photo with the brothers, singer Sonu Nigam expressed his deep sadness in just five words: “My Brother Wajid left us.”

In a heartfelt video, Tochi Raina remembers his “old friend” with much love. Raina and Khan’s friendship goes back to 1994, although the pair have never worked together. “I can see Wajid’s smiling face in front of my eyes,” he said.

As her “brother from another mother,” Preity Zinta grieved the death of her talented friend who “was so gentle & sweet.”

Actor Salman Khan, who shared a close rapport with Sajid-Wajid, mourned the loss of his dear friend.

Sajid-Wajid started their career with Salman Khan’s Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya in 1998 and have since collaborated with the actor in multiple Bollywood films like Chori Chori, Hello Brother, Tere Naam, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner and the Dabangg franchise. In fact, Wajid Khan kickstarted his career as a singer with Partner in 2008 and went on to lend his voice for popular hits like “Hud Hud Dabangg”, “Jalwa”, “Fevicol Se”, and “Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita” from Akshay Kumar’s Rowdy Rathore. Interestingly, Sajid-Wajid also composed Salman Khan’s recent single, “Bhai Bhai”.

Dabangg franchise’s producer-director Arbaaz Khan too remembered Wajid Khan as the “gem” the music industry lost too soon.

In a throwback photo full of hearty smiles, actor Arjun Kapoor recalled Wajid Khan as a person who “always [had] a smile on his face & a song in his heart”.

Fellow actor Varun Dhawan echoes his thoughts, remembering Wajid bhai as “one of the most positive people to be around”.

Parineeti Chopra recalls a fond memory of singing together “at the sunset, under the Taj Mahal” with the late composer. She concludes her short note with a sentimental tone: “That’s the most beautiful memory I am gonna keep of you.”

Wajid Khan may have bid farewell to his loved ones but he left them with memories that are full of smiles, laughter and warmth. He will continue to live on the same.

Bollywood
#

Arré Bench

The Arré bench delivers stories that mattress. It hasn't achieved much sofar. But it's getting bedder.

  •  
  •  

Did you like it?

Tell us what you think so we can give you more content you like :

Related Content

Comments

en English
en Englishhi Hindi