Singer-composer Wajid Khan, part of music director duo Sajid-Wajid, died of the coronavirus at a hospital in Mumbai early on Monday, PTI reported. He was 42 years old.
“He died of cardiac arrest,” Khan’s brother Sajid Khan told the news agency. He also confirmed that his brother had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Music director Salim Merchant said Khan was hospitalised a few days ago at Surana Hospital in Chembur suburb, where his condition deteriorated. “He had multiple issues,” Merchant said. “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.”
The Sajid-Wajid duo made their Bollywood debut with actor Salman Khan’s 1998 movie Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, and went on to compose music for Salman Khan’s films, such as Garv, Tere Naam, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Partner and the Dabangg franchise, according to PTI.
Wajid Khan also did playback singing for Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Some of his well known tracks were “Mera He Jalwa”, “Fevicol Se” and “Chinta Tha Chita Chita”. The composer also scored the theme song for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League, “Dhoom Dhoom Dhoom Dhadaka”.
Several people from Bollywood expressed their grief at Wajid Khan’s death.
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