Mumbai: Bollywood composer-singer Wajid Khan of the popular sibling composer duo- Sajid-Wajid is no more. He passed away in the early hours on Monday.
Confirming the news, singer Sonu Nigam posted on his official social media handle: "My brother Wajid left us."
"He died of a cardiac arrest," Wajid's brother Sajid told PTI while confirming that the musician had tested positive for COVID-19.
Music composer Salim Merchant, who first confirmed the news of Wajid's death, said the composer was hospitalised recently at Surana Hospital, Chembur where his condition deteriorated.
"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.
A source close to the family also confirmed the coronavirus diagnosis.
"He had coronavirus. When you already have heart and kidney issues, your immunity is low. His situation worsened in the last few days," the source added.
Sajid-Wajid recently composed songs for Bollywood superstar Salman Khan during the ongoing lockdown, one of which was a number titled "Pyaar karona", a pop anthem encouraging all to fight the coronavirus. The song released in April was sung by Salman and also featured the actor in the video.
The composer duo also recently composed Salman's Eid special song, "Bhai bhai", which talks of communal harmony.
Sajid-Wajid frequently collaborated as composers for Salman Khan. In fact, they made their debut in the 1998 Salman superhit, "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya", scoring one song in that film, "Teri jawani badi mast mast hai".
Sajid-Wajid shot to fame with the Salman Khan blockbuster "Dabangg" in 2010, and there has been no looking back. Among numerous hits they composed were "Tere mast mast do nain" and "Hud hud Dabangg" ("Dabangg"), "Do you wanna partner" and "Soni de nakhre" ("Partner"), "Mujhse shaadi karogi" and "Laal dupatta" ("Mujhse Shaadi Karogi"), "Mashallah" (Ek Tha Tiger"), "Chinta ta chita" ("Rowdy Rathore"), "Fevicol se" ("Dabangg 2") and "Raat bhar" ("Heropanti").
As a singer, Wajid recorded many hit songs, including "Do you wanna partner" and "Soni de nakhre" ("Partner"), "Hud hud Dabangg" ("Dabangg"), "Chinta ta chita" ("Rowdy Rathore"), "Tujhe Aksa Beach" ("God Tussi Great Ho") and "Jalwa" ("Wanted").
Sajid-Wajid also composed for a few non-film albums. These are Son Nigam's "Deewana", Alka Yagnik and Babul Supriyo's "Khoya Khoya Chand", and Rahul Vaidya's "Tera Intezaar".
Wajid Khan also was a mentor of the music reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar" and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012".
As the news of Wajid Khan's demise spread, Bollywood took to social media to express grief and shock.
"Terrible news. 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," tweeted Priyanka Chopra.
Among the first to confirm the news with a tweet of condolence was composer Salim Merchant of the Salim-Suleiman duo. "Devastated with the news of the passing away of my brother Wajid of Sajid -Wajid fame. May Allah give strength to the family.. Safe travels bro.. @wajidkhan7 you've gone too soon. It's a huge loss to our fraternity. I'm shocked & broken," wrote Salim.
Vishal Dadlani wrote on Twitter: "Wajid Khan is gone far too soon. His talent and heart were never appreciated enough. All the times we planned to meet & never did because we were busy, those will always rankle. Sajid Khan, mere bhai. You will never be alone & our brother will forever be remembered."
"Heartbreaking news. Wajid no more. Spent time on the SRGMP show with him as a co-judge and he was so kind and generous. I know he was ailing for a while, regret not picking up the phone on him in this lockdown. Stunned and sad," wrote singer Sona Mohapatra on Twitter.
Singer Harshdeep Kaur tweeted: "My deep condolences to #WajidKhan Ji's family. Still can't believe that he is no more. Have always seen him smiling and spreading joy around him. Huge loss to the music industry."
"This cannot be true! I can't believe that Wajid bhai has left us.. In state of complete shock! Worked with u on so many songs and just met u a while ago @wajidkhan7 .. May your soul Rest In Peace.. May god give strength to the family to bear this huge loss," tweeted singer Tulsi Kumar.
Singer-Politician Babul Supriyo also expressed his condolence on Twitter: "Shocked to hear about the cruelly untimely demise of Wajid of the renowned Composer duo of Sajid Wajid. Incredible loss of a very very dear friend & a very very talented musical mind -- a Gr8 sport."
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.
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan said he was still unable to come to terms with the news 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 posted, 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."
(With Agency Inputs)
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