Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 3, 2020)

The recent demise of music composer-singer Wajid Khan has left the music fraternity shocked. As soon as the news broke, on June 1, his peers, actors and fans took to social media to share their memories of him and pay condolences to his family.

Singer-performer Sona Mohapatra, who had co-judged a music reality show with him back in 2018, shares that Khan had been suffering for a while. “I know that Wajid was suffering from kidney ailments for a long time. Two years ago, he had a small accident on a set where he had hurt himself, but things became complicated because of his other medications and immunity being compromised. His brother Sajid (Khan) had been his pillar of strength through it all,” she says.

Talking about the composer who breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai at the age of 42, Mohapatra says, “He was a generous, and a lovely person. He was a tabla player, a composer and had the best intentions to do good always.”

The singer says that she regrets not keeping in touch with him during the past few months. “A very affectionate man, he would bring home-cooked food for all of us on the sets regularly and was full of enthusiasm for life. I got along with him very well and deeply regret losing in touch with him during the Coronavirus lockdown,” she signs off.

Sonu Nigam remembers Khan, a talented music composer, friend and a die-hard foodie
Sonu Nigam (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

I have known Wajid for 29 years. When I first came to Mumbai, I would sit outside his studio while he would be inside working with his father. We bonded over our love for music and musical instruments. He used to joke, 'Sonu bhai ka haath harmonium pe dekh ke main hil gaya' because I am quick with the keys.

Our first collaboration was in 1996 when we worked on the remix of Yeh kahan aa gaye hum [Silsila, 1981]. A few years later, T-Series requested me to cut an album. Bhushan [Kumar] sent me some songs composed by Sajid-Wajid, and that is how Deewana was born. The album became a rage, and it has always been precious to the three of us.

I was undoubtedly their favourite singer as we collaborated on several songs. Last year, we worked on a romantic duet for a movie that was eventually postponed. After that, Wajid suddenly fell ill. He had diabetes, and had to undergo a kidney transplant. I would often visit him. One day, he expressed a desire to go out as he had been indoors for long. So, I took him on a drive. Next time, I took him home and we sat on the terrace, sipping chai. He kept on saying, 'Bhaijaan, kitna mazaa aa raha hai. I am stepping out after so long.'

We were like brothers. I would always visit their home during Ramzan. His mother would say, 'Sonu aa raha hai? Let me make haleem.' He was a foodie and would often send me home-cooked khichda. Not many know his [then to-be] wife and he had abruptly called off their wedding, days before the celebration. I played the mediator between them.

In the last few months, his condition worsened. I was in touch with him when he was in the hospital. It was heartbreaking to see that a person who loved music couldn't even speak as a tube was put down [his windpipe]. So, we used to chat over WhatsApp. I texted him on Eid, but he did not reply. Then his wife informed me that he had contracted Coronavirus. In five days, he was gone...

He was immensely talented. Even when they made a mastiwala song like Hud hud dabangg, it was classy. They did legendary work in such a short time. I would say he didn't get his due. Wajid was a sensitive soul who will be missed. Of the songs we worked on, Tumko na bhool payenge was my favourite. I will always remember him by that song.

As told to Upala KBR

As told to Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

We knew that he was not well for the past few days, but the situation hadn't reached the stage for him to pass away. Yes, he was critical but still better. He had issues of diabetes and kidney malfunction. Fortunately, Sajid's wife Lubna donated a kidney to him seven months ago. He was on the road to recovery after that, but I believe post Dabangg 3, his health started deteriorating due to exertion. Once the complications began, it never left him. We were constantly in touch, but he would often say, 'Main theek hoon, koi problem nahin hai'.

I spoke to him over a month ago. He told me he was home, suffering from a kidney infection. He assured me it was under control. Post that, he got a throat infection, which started affecting his voice. He was on a ventilator for the last three days.

We were close as brothers, friends and we have also worked together for a film, Shararat (2002). I remember [the time] he had come to my studio to hear the song, Yeh honsla from Dor (2006). He had tears in his eyes as he hugged me, he was an emotional person.

As told to Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

On Monday, at about 2 am, my son Varun [Dhawan] knocked on our bedroom door to inform my wife about Wajid. I couldn't sleep the whole night after that. I was close to Wajid and I cannot describe how I am feeling today. We have done five films together — Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, Chashme Baddoor, Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2. All were box-office hits and the songs, chartbusters. You wanna partner, the title song in Partner and Besharmi ki height, Palat tera dhyan kidar hai in Main Tera Hero are my favourites. I would narrate my concept, explain it to him and he would compose songs [that met my expectations]. My last five films have been composed by the brothers.

Wajid was like a child for me. My relationship with him was indescribable. He would come home, jam with us, and have dinner with the family. Salman [Khan], who was instrumental in giving them a break in Bollywood, Sajid-Wajid and I did lot of work together. All the best songs of Salman and Varun are [composed] by him. He loved Varun and gave him such great songs in Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2, which was difficult to compose.

Wajid was like family to us. He was a musician who played the guitar from the heart. I was discussing Wajid's music with Salman, who was shattered [on hearing the news], yesterday. Sadly, none of us could go to the funeral. We can mourn only from home.

We were in touch when he was unwell because of his kidney transplant and I didn't want to disturb him. He told me that he would step out as soon as he could and see me in my office, but he was hospitalised due to the recent virus. He didn't smoke, drink, nor did he have any vices. He passed away too young.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 2, 2020)

Singer-composer Wajid Khan, 42, of the Sajid-Wajid duo, passed away around midnight on Sunday following health complications from Coronavirus. He had undergone a kidney transplant last year.

Wajid belonged to a classical music gharana and was trained by his father, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, a tabla player. He made his debut with brother Sajid in a qawwali for the Salman Khan and Kajol-starrer Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya. Soon, the brothers became a favourite with the actor and worked with him in films like Hello Brother, Tere Naam, Garv, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, God Tussi Great Ho, Wanted, Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Veer, the Dabangg franchise, Jai Ho and as a guest composer on Ek Tha Tiger.

In an earlier interview, Wajid had informed that Veer was special for him as a lot of work went into creating tunes from the pre-Independence era. “We went to villages to record sounds of stones and glasses,” he had informed. Director Anil Sharma recalls how one night, Salman called him home and introduced him to Sajid-Wajid. “I was planning to go with multiple composers. When they played the tune of “Surili Akhiyon Wale” on the piano, I decided to go solo with them,” says Sharma, admitting that he’s still wowed by that music sitting.

Writer-director Rumy Jafry reveals that the music of David Dhawan’s Mujhse Shaadi Karogi was to be composed by Anu Malik, with Sajid-Wajid as guest composers. But eventually, they composed the entire album and Anu was left with just one song. He then worked with the duo in his directorial God Tussi Great Ho, which boasted of the chartbuster “Tujhe Aksa Beach”, picturised on Salman and Priyanka Chopra. The song was also supposed to be a part of the Mujhse Shaadi Karogi soundtrack, but since they already had a beach song, “Jeene Ke Hain Char Din” by Anu, Rumi asked Sajid-Wajid to bank it for him and use it in God Tussi Great Ho.

Anees Bazmee informs that the duo composed the title track of Welcome, fronted by Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, in less than 12 hours. “I was in Dubai and called them during lunch time asking for a title track. In two hours, they had a tune ready for me. Within a day they had the lyrics sorted and had recorded the song which contributed significantly to the film’s success,” admits the producer-director.

The composers gave more hits with Akshay Kumar, including Housefull 2 and Rowdy Rathore. Their other notable scores are Heropanti, Main Tera Hero, Himmatwala and Teri Meri Kahaani. They also recorded the album Deewana (1999), which was Sonu Nigam’s claim to fame with songs like “Ab Mujhe Raat Din” and “Deewana Tera”.

Sukhwinder Singh, who sung the Dabangg title track and “Lagan Lagi” from Tere Naam for the duo, reveals that they were among the very few musicians who didn’t use machines. “Wajid was a natural composer with a classical base who used instruments for sound. They waited 15 days to record ‘Lagan Lagi’ with me, one of Salman’s best,” he exults.

Just a few days ago, Sajid-Wajid’s single, “Bhai Bhai” with Salman was released. Radhe will be among Wajid’s last Bollywood scores. Atul Agnihotri, who is producing Radhe with Salman and Sohail, describes him as a beautiful person. The filmmaker has also worked with the duo in his home production, Hello. “His laughter and music will be missed by the family, in our life and movies. Sajid-Wajid shared a great bond with Bhai and have come up with a killer title track for Radhe. It’s straight from the heart, with lots of passion and goodness,” he signs off.

Sajid and Wajid, who made their debut as music directors with Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, have composed music together for 22 years
Tanvi Trivedi and Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; June 2, 2020)

Wajid Khan, of the music composer duo Sajid-Wajid, passed away on the night of May 31. The 42-year-old composer, who was battling kidney-related issues, succumbed to COVID-19. The final rites were conducted yesterday in the presence of family members and a few close friends. Condolence messages poured in from the music fraternity as well as actors and filmmakers, who Wajid had worked with over the years.

Brothers Sajid and Wajid came from a family that is rooted in music. Their father Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan was a tabla player. The two composers, who made their Bollywood debut with Salman Khan’s film Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), have been close to the actor. Their 22-year-long journey in the world of music saw them composing many hit tracks for films, including Chori Chori (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Partner (2007), Dabangg (2010), Rowdy Rathore (2012), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Satyameva Jayate (2018).

Recalling how Wajid and he started their careers together, Sonu Nigam says, “We knew each other since our struggling days. While I used to wait outside recording studios, he had access to these places as he belonged to a musical family. Sajid and he composed the music for my album Deewana, and I have sung several songs for them over the years. They are like family to me. I knew Wajid from the time he was dating his wife. In fact, whenever they had minor fights, like most couples do, I would mediate between them.”

Besides composing music for Salman’s films, Sajid-Wajid recently gave the music for his single, Bhai Bhai, which the actor released amidst the lockdown on the occasion of Eid. Alka Yagnik says, “I had sung many songs for Wajid, including some for Salman’s film Hello Brother. Wajid looked up to Salman Khan, who was like his godfather. Wajid was full of life and a prankster. He would crack jokes during our recordings, too. In fact, I had to scold him at times and say, ‘Wajid, ab kaam khatam karte hain.’ He was a good singer, too.”

Singer and composer Adnan Sami, who knew Wajid for over 20 years, had met him last at his residence for dinner a few months ago. He said, “I had invited many of my friends from the industry for dinner. We had a great time catching up. The first song that I recorded for him, was the qawwali, Ruthe Yaar Nu Mana Le for the film, Chori Chori. My first meeting with him set the tone for the wonderful relationship that we shared over the years. He had a lot of josh for life.”

Like Sonu and Adnan, singer-minister Babul Supriyo has had a long association with Wajid, too. He shares, “A few months ago, when I was in Mumbai, Sajid, Wajid, Shaan and I spent quality time discussing music over a lot of food at Shaan’s home. I also spoke to him a month ago about his kidney transplant and told him to take rest. His death is a big loss to the music industry.”

Remembering the composer, Shaan says, “We would play cricket together and were great buddies. I remember many things about him… like how he got my kids to sing. He said, ‘Arre bacche gaa rahein hain? Chalo, I should be the first to give them a song’. Wajid created a situation in the film Himmatwala (2013) and got my sons to sing a song along with me. Since 2010, Sajid-Wajid made sure that I was a part of most of their projects. Wajid was someone who would always look out for a friend.”

Actor makes up for no Eid release with a single; has locked script of his next, working on more music vids
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 30, 2020)

Salman Khan was gearing up for yet another Eid release, the action thriller Radhe, when the nationwide lockdown brought film shoots to a halt across the country. Since March, the actor has been at his farmhouse in Panvel with friends, acquaintances and some family members. He, however, kept his Eid tradition by releasing a single “Bhai Bhai”, which speaks of Hindu-Muslim unity in India. The song was unveiled on the eve of the festival.

“The idea had been brewing in Salman’s mind for a while. He wrote the lyrics and sent it to composer-friends Sajid-Wajid, who picked out material from their music bank and set the song to tune the same day. Salman then shot the music video, which features him just walking around his farm. Since it was a simple shoot, it could be done at short notice, with an assistant recording him on a digi-cam,” informed a source.

Salman has been working back-to-back, on films like Race 3, Bharat, Dabangg 3 and Radhe, over the last few years and this lockdown has been a much-needed break. “But Bhai is a workaholic; he has already shot for and released three music videos and is planning to continue the flow. He is writing songs, singing them, shooting them and working on the edit simultaneously.”

While Eid is usually family time for Salman, this year, the Khans were apart, but the actor greeted them and his team virtually over video calls. He continued with philanthropy as well, distributing special kits of ingredients to make sheer qorma to over 5000 underprivileged families in Mumbai.

Mirror had earlier reported that the actor is teaming up with Aayush Sharma and LoveYatri director Abhiraj Minawala on a gangster-drama, in which he plays a no-nonsense Sikh cop to Aayush’s gangster. “Even before the lockdown started, Abhiraj was at the farm and they have since locked the final draft. But they are in no hurry to roll with it. A meeting with all stakeholders will take place once Salman is back in Mumbai, and based on the safety protocols, will decide when the film will kick off,” the source added.

Before this gangster-drama, Salman will wrap up the Prabhudheva-directed Radhe. Around 20 days’ shoot remains, which includes two songs. A major chunk of the post-production will begin only once the shooting is done. “It is a stylish, lavishly-mounted actioner and they will wait to release it in the theatres. His slate for the next two years is locked with Radhe, the untitled gangster-drama, Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali with Sajid Nadiadwala and Tiger 3. There were half a dozen offers before the pandemic and Salman will decide on them once normalcy returns,” the source concluded.

Wajid with Muskaan and her father, Sajid

Dabangg composers Sajid-Wajid on superstar Salman Khan's role in reinventing soundtrack for the third part of the sequel, and how Sajid's daughter Muskaan's association with the film was a stroke of luck
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 2, 2019)

One may attribute it to the fact that he is veteran writer Salim Khan's son, but when caught in his element, Salman Khan's wordplay can be quite delightful to witness. We've seen it during his stint as the host of reality show Bigg Boss, and even in interviews. But Dabangg 3 music directors Sajid-Wajid promise that it is, in fact, while ideating for his comic-action franchise that Khan is quite the fireball.

"Salman bhai likes to throw bouncers and check our reaction to them. In fact, we don't even take his jokes lightly," laughs Sajid, before pointing out that Munna badnam hua, the track that's currently the talk of the town, was in fact Khan's brainchild. "For the world, he may be a hero; but for me, he is a musical guy. His inputs on this soundtrack were extremely meaningful. Often, he'd use a phrase or word, and ask me if it could be added to a certain portion of the song. He is a thinking actor, and a lot of his ideas were put into play when creating the soundtrack for Dabangg."

Placed in a position to create the soundtrack for the third edition of a franchise that has so far received acclaim for both its storyline and music, the duo agrees that keeping the songs as fresh as possible was their primary concern. "Since this edition is a prequel, we enjoyed several liberties. If you notice, in Dabangg 2, the melody was mature to reflect the character's married life. Here, there is a freedom that the character enjoys, and [we could depict that] through the romantic tracks," says Sajid, as Wajid points to a tool they employed to further keep the music attuned with their needs. "We used live instruments too to make the songs come alive. On international turf, scores are [recorded] live. It's sad that in our country, the trend is dying. Unlike the way it was 25 years ago, one needs to actually scout for people who can do this today."

Even though the duo "missed" working with the singers they usually collaborate with — including Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan — employing a fresh set of singers, they believe, has done them much good. "We used combinations that haven't been explored so far, like pairing Shreya Ghoshal with Jubin Nautiyal. We also [employed] Badshah, and Salman Ali." Wajid adds that frequent collaborator Singh was kept away from the title track, because he's offered that way too often. "He's so brilliant that I think he should be employed for [more complicated] songs. He too says he's tired of singing title tracks." But, for the duo, the high point of roping in singers for this film lies in the selection of Muskaan.

Sajid's daughter's appointment as the voice of Saiee Manjrekar, says the father, was a stroke of luck. "Salman bhai had requested several friends' daughters, who were pursuing music, to test for this part. At that time, I didn't want to use my daughter, since he was already looking for people. However, once, during a visit to his home, [my associate] happened to play a cover song that had been recorded by Muskaan. Salman bhai, who was in the washroom, came out and enquired about it. He asked for the song to be played again, and on learning that it was Muskaan singing, told me, 'Tell her, welcome to the Dabangg family'."

Shooting for the last leg of the actor’s cop-drama is on in Jaipur, after which he heads to Mumbai studio to shoot SLB’s next and a reality show
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 16, 2019)

After wrapping up the Phaltan schedule of Dabangg 3 with co-stars Sonakshi Sinha and Saiee Manjrekar, Salman Khan has flown to Jaipur for the last leg of his cop-drama. The film has been shot for approximately 75 days, and the current schedule will go on for another eight days. “The crew is filming at a remote village, Basco, on the Agra road, which is 50 km away from Jaipur city. The shoot started on Independence Day. A huge crowd had gathered around the spot to get a glimpse of Salman,” revealed a source close to the development.

The Prabhudheva directorial marks Salman and Sonakshi’s return to the franchise as Chulbul Pandey and Rajjo respectively, after seven years. In this schedule, the duo will also shoot a romantic song composed by Sajid-Wajid. “It’s an outdoor schedule, and the idea is to capture the monuments of Jaipur,” the source added. After wrapping up the cop-drama, Salman will take a break with a trip to the US, returning to India in the first wee of September, after which he jumps into Sanjay Leela Bhansali’ Inshallah alongside Alia Bhatt. “The film was supposed to kick o by mid-August, however, owing t the tight schedules of both the leads, the shoot will now only commence in the first week of September in Mumbai,” the source informed.

After Mumbai, the romantic saga, which opens on Eid next year, will move on to the Varanasi and Florida schedules. “Like all Salman films, Inshallah will take around 100 days to be completed,” the source shared, adding that “the actor will be tied up with the project till February next year.” Incidentally, the last leg of Dabangg 3 and the beginning of Bhansali’s film will overlap with the shoot of Bigg Boss, which is returning with its 13th season next month.

In a first, the set for the reality show has been moved from Lonavala to the Maximum City, and the Bigg Boss house is being constructed at Film City, where Salman will also shoot for Inshallah. “Bigg Boss is a weekly job for Salman and he has been managing film shoots with reality shows for almost a decade now. The theme last year revolved around the beach. This time, it is a youth-centric set-up to lend the show a fresh touch,” the source added.

After her acting debut in a Salman Khan production, Warina Hussain will shake a leg with him in the third Dabangg film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 13, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (May 18) that after the chartbusters, “Munni Badnaam Hui”, which was picturised on Malaika Arora in the 2010 cop-drama Dabangg, and the Kareena Kapoor-starrer “Fevicol Se” in its 2012 sequel directed by Arbaaz Khan, the makers of Dabangg 3 have recorded a song titled “Munna Badnaam Hua”. Now, we have learnt that Warina Hussain, who made her Bollywood debut with the 53-year-old actor’s production LoveYatri last year opposite his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma, will feature in the new song with Chulbul Pandey.

According to a source close to the development, Salman and his team were looking for someone who would do justice to the Dabangg special number and zeroed in on Warina. “She shot for the song in a four-day schedule beginning from June 8 at Mehboob studio. Salman and Warina had a great time shooting for the song which has been composed by Sajid-Wajid and sung by Kamaal Khan of 'O O Jaane Jaana' fame and Badshah. This time the song is set in a modernised dhaba and Warina will be seen in an Indo-Western outfit. Her look is created by Salman’s designer, Ashley Lobo,” the source revealed.

Vaibhavi Merchant has choreographed the song and unlike the previous two numbers, this one will see Salman’s Chulbul Pandey in the spotlight, trying to woo his object of affection. The film, which went on the floors with a Maheshwar schedule earlier this year, moving to the outskirts of Mumbai, follows a non-linear storytelling pattern, jumping between Chulbul Pandey’s past and present, showing his transition from a neighbourhood rowdy to a Robin Hood cop.