Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid fame breathed his last at the age of 42 in Mumbai yesterday after succumbing to kidney ailment and COVID-19. The ace music composer and singer bid adieu to the world during the wee hours of Monday morning and Sonu Nigam was the first to break the news. Sharing a brotherly relationship with Wajid, Sonu was heartbroken on his demise. Talking about his bonding with the Mashallah singer, Sonu, told a leading daily that he knew him for the last 29 years and shared the story behind their first collaboration- Deewana, which went on to become a rage.
"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. 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," Sonu told.
Recalling the time spent with Wajid, Sonu said that they were like brothers and he would visit the Khans during Ramadan. The ace singer revealed that he played a mediator between his then-to-be wife and him. "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," Sonu said.
Talking about his hospitalisation and the last few months, Sonu said Wajid couldn't speak due to the tube down his windpipe. His wife informed about him testing positive for COVID-19 and in five days, he breathed his last. "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 COVID-19. In five days, he was gone...," Sonu added.
Calling Wajid immensely talented, Sonu felt he didn't get his due. "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," Sonu said while remembering Wajid.
(Source: Mid-Day)
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