
Bollywood singer and music composer Wajid Khan of the duo Sajid-Wajid, immensely known for their stream of fine, euphonious music on superstar Salman Khan’s films such as “Wanted”, “Dabangg” and “Ek Tha Tiger”, died in wee hours of Monday in a city hospital due to difficulties arising from a kidney infection, aged at 42.
Music composer Salim Merchant, who made this heartbreaking confirmation about Wajid’s demise, said the composer was hospitalised few days ago at Surana Hospital, Chembur where his condition worsened.
“He had multiple issues. He had a kidney issue and had a transplant a while ago. But recently he got to know about kidney infection… He was on the ventilator for the last four days, after his situation started getting worse. Kidney infection was the beginning and then he got critical,” Salim told PTI.
The music composer duo marked their Bollywood debut with Salman’s 1998 movie “Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya” and went on to make more music for the actor’s various films including “Garv”, “Tere Naam”, “Tumko Na Bhool Payenge”, “Partner” and the popular “Dabangg” franchise.
Wajid also did playback for Salman in chartbusters like “Mera He Jalwa”, “Fevicol Se” and for Akshay Kumar in “Chinta Ta Chita Chita” from the film “Rowdy Rathore”, among others. He recently co-composed Salman’s songs “Pyaar Karona” and “Bhai Bhai”, which the actor released on his YouTube channel.
Wajid along with his brother Sajid served as mentors on singing reality shows “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012” and “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar”. The composer duo also chalked out IPL 4 theme song, “Dhoom Dhoom Dhoom Dhadaka”, which was sung by Wajid.
The moment the news of the composer’s demise broke, many from the film fraternity took to Twitter to pay tributes.
Actor Priyanka Chopra said she will always remember Wajid’s smile.
“The one thing I will always remember is Wajid bhai’s laugh. Always smiling. Gone too soon. My condolences to his family and everyone grieving. Rest in peace my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers,” she posted on Twitter.
Actor Parineeti Chopra said Wajid was one of the “nicest” men in the industry. “Always singing. All heart. Always positive. You will truly be missed Wajid bhai,” she tweeted.
Actor Varun Dhawan shared a picture of his filmmaker-father David Dhawan with Wajid and remembered the musician as one of the most positive people in Bollywood.
“Shocked hearing this news @wajidkhan7 bhai was extremely close to me and my family. He was one of the most positive people to be around. We will miss you Wajid bhai thank you for the music,” he wrote.
Music composer-singer Vishal Dadlani expressed he got “heartbroken” after coming to terms with this shocking news.
“Both @SajidMusicKhan and @wajidkhan7 have been close & true friends. The kind who might see the light on and show up at our studio in the middle of the night just to meet and talk and share a laugh. Can’t believe Wajid and I will never speak again,” he wrote.
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan said he was still unable to process this information of Wajid’s demise.
“Shocking ! Good bye dear brother.. love you .. till we meet on the other side ! Prayers for your peaceful journey Wajid bhai,” he tweeted.
Singer Javed Ali shared, “Feeling Deeply Saddened after hearing shocking news of the sudden demise of Wajid Khan. May his Soul Rest in Peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May Allah give strength to the family.”
Preity Zinta wrote, “I used to call him my brother from another mother. Besides being unbelievably talented he was so gentle & sweet. I’m so heartbroken that I did not get to say Goodbye my sweet
@wajidkhan7 I will miss you & our jam sessions forever. Till we meet again #RIP #WajidKhan #Gonetoosoon”
News Source: The Economic Times