Wajid Khan, a renowned Indian music director and singer, tragically passed away on June 1st, 2020. His musical journey, marked by collaborations with his brother Sajid and a close relationship with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Sunday, July 10, 1977, in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Wajid Khan’s zodiac sign was Cancer. He was 42 years old at the time of his death.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black

Family & Caste

Wajid Khan hailed from a Muslim family. His family’s musical lineage is significant, with a rich history of Tabla players and renowned musicians. This strong musical heritage undoubtedly influenced his own career path.

Parents & Siblings

His father, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, was a celebrated Tabla player. His mother’s name was Razina Khan. His lineage further includes Ustad Abdul Latif Khan (paternal grandfather) and the Padma Shri awardee Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan (maternal grandfather). His uncle, Niaz Ahmed Khan, received the prestigious Tansen award.

His elder brother, Sajid Khan, was also a prominent music director, and the duo formed the celebrated Sajid-Wajid composer partnership.

Relationships, Wife & Children

Wajid Khan married Maryam Asif Siddiqui in 2010. The couple had two children, a daughter and a son.

Career

The musical journey of Sajid-Wajid began with the Bollywood song “Teri Jawani” from the 1998 film Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya. Their collaboration with Sonu Nigam on the Deewana album (1999) propelled them into the limelight, showcasing their talent through songs like “Deewaana Tera,” “Ab Mujhe Raat Din,” and “Iss Kadar Pyaar Hai.”

Their prolific career included composing music for numerous films, including Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (2002), Gunaah (2002), Chori Chori (2003), The Killer (2006), and many more. They were particularly known for their work with Salman Khan, scoring numerous hit songs for his films such as Wanted (2009), Dabangg (2010), and Dabangg 2 (2012).

Beyond composing, Wajid Khan was also a talented singer. He lent his vocals to several hit Bollywood tracks. Their contributions extended to album work and composing background scores for movies.

Sajid-Wajid also ventured into television, appearing as mentors on reality shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Their work on TV show soundtracks broadened their creative scope.

The duo also composed tracks for TV shows such as Dus Ka Dum (2008), Bigg Boss 4 (2010), and Bigg Boss 6 (2012). Their final collaboration, during the 2020 lockdown, was the Salman Khan song “Bhai Bhai.”

Death

Wajid Khan passed away on June 1, 2020, at Surana Hospital in Chembur, Mumbai. He battled several health issues, including a kidney infection, and unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 prior to his death.

His passing was mourned by countless fans and Bollywood celebrities. Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Varun Dhawan, and Priyanka Chopra, among others, expressed their grief and condolences publicly.

Facts/Trivia

• Wajid belonged to the Kirana Gharana and Punjab Gharana musical traditions.
• He received guitar training from renowned guitarist Das Babu.
• He was known for his love of ghazals.
• Wajid received numerous awards for his achievements in music.
• Sajid-Wajid consistently credited Salman Khan for the opportunities he gave them.
• Interestingly, Wajid’s first and last song as a music director featured Salman Khan.

Wajid Khan’s Notable Film Scores