Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 14, 2020)

To say that the Coronavirus scare has brought the world down on its knees won’t be wrong. However, this has been a “catharsis of a kind” for singer Sonu Nigam. “I feel reassured that my belief in the true nature of life was actually the truth, and not what the world was trying to make me believe. I was surrounded with people who would broadcast in brazen arrogance that they were the Maai Baaps (creator, provider, sustainer, destroyer) of the music industry and the film industry. I could see the stark difference in my idea of success and their perception of success. I see all that crumble in front of my eyes today,” he tells us.

What came as a big shocker for him was the news of singer-composer Wajid Khan’s demise. “Wajid was someone whom I loved more than he loved me. And I loved loving him…It’ll take me a very long time to come to terms with his loss,” he says.

Nigam, 46, has been stuck in Dubai for nearly three months due to the lockdown. However, despite restrictions being eased amid Unlock 1.0, he has no plans of coming back to India as of now. Furthermore, given that his new house is nearing completion, Nigam says he will not avail the facility of repatriation flights either. “We’ll move there,” he says, adding, “I have a home studio, so I engineer it myself and get my work done. Until the concert scenario opens up, I don’t see any reason for me to leave my son here and stay in Mumbai alone in isolation.”

And even though real-life concerts seem like a distant reality at present, it hasn’t really stopped Nigam from fulfilling his creative urges through the online route. Terming online concerts as “tedious but fulfilling”, the singer explains, “They were my contribution towards the generation of funds for PM Cares Fund. We did a lot of songs, especially one I spearheaded with the Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA), where we brought 211 singers together for one song, Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam. It is kind of a world record of sorts.”

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.

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.

Whenever we had to create an important song on short notice, we could only think of them. Wajid could get things done quickly, without compromising on the quality of the creations
As told to Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 2, 2020)

The entire Khan parivaar shared a strong bond with Sajid-Wajid. His love for our family, particularly Salman [Khan] bhai, was unconditional. Many of Bhai's hit tracks were composed by them. To me, he was a friend first, a colleague later. Whenever we had to create an important song on a short notice, we could only think of them. Wajid could get things done quickly, without compromising on the quality of the creations.

When I was making Hello [2008], we needed a special track for Bhai who was making a special appearance in the film. Asking Sajid-Wajid to compose the song was a no-brainer. The duo created it [Hello hello] so quickly. One can't even begin to imagine what Sajid is going through now. Whenever Sajid was stuck in the middle of a tune, Wajid used to help him, and vice versa. It was a great collaboration.

One could never tell that Wajid had health concerns because he always had a smile; he went through all his sufferings with a smile. He recently had a kidney transplant and was recovering. I regret not meeting him post the surgery, but who would have thought this would happen? He was also diabetic and his immune system had weakened. [Towards the end] he contracted Coronavirus. It is tragic that he is gone at 42. To us, he is irreplaceable.

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.”

BOMBAY TIMES (April 19, 2017)