Singer-composer Wajid Khan, part of music director duo Sajid-Wajid, died at a hospital in Mumbai early on Monday, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
He was 42 years old.
Music director Salim Merchant said Khan was hospitalized 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.”
A journalist from entertainment website Bollywood Hungama, however, said that Khan died of the novel coronavirus.
“Sad News: Noted singer Sonu Nigam just confirmed to me that music composer Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid passed away a short while back,” Faridoon Shahryar tweeted. “He was suffering from Covid 19.”
Sad News: Noted singer Sonu Nigam just confirmed to me that music composer Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid passed away a short while back. He was suffering from Covid 19.
— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) May 31, 2020
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.
