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Sajid–Wajid

Overview

Sajid–Wajid was an Indian music director duo composed of brothers Sajid Khan and Wajid Khan, who composed songs and background scores primarily for Hindi cinema. Active from the late 1990s, the duo became known for their long association with actor Salman Khan and for delivering popular soundtracks across Bollywood films from the 2000s and 2010s. The partnership ended with the death of Wajid Khan on 1 June 2020.

Key Facts

Names Sajid Khan and Wajid Khan
Origin Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Field Film score and song composition, playback singing
Industry Hindi cinema (Bollywood)
Years active Late 1990s – 2020
Father Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan (tabla player)
Debut film Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)
Notable collaborator Salman Khan
Disbanded 1 June 2020 (death of Wajid Khan)

Background

Sajid and Wajid were born in a musical family in Mumbai. Their father, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, was a noted tabla player associated with the Kirana gharana tradition, which exposed the brothers to Hindustani classical training from a young age. Sajid, the elder brother, took to composition and rhythm, while Wajid trained as a vocalist in addition to composing, which allowed him to also work as a playback singer on many of the duo's tracks.

Career

Early work

The duo's first major break came with Sooraj R. Barjatya's Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), starring Salman Khan and Kajol. The success of the soundtrack established their working relationship with Salman Khan, which continued for over two decades.

Television and stage

Alongside film work, Sajid–Wajid composed for Indian television, including theme music for several reality shows. Wajid was also known as a frequent live performer and judge on televised music competitions.

Notable film soundtracks

  • Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)
  • Tere Naam (2003) — composed alongside Himesh Reshammiya
  • Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002)
  • Garv: Pride and Honour (2004)
  • Partner (2007)
  • God Tussi Great Ho (2008)
  • Heyy Babyy (2007)
  • Wanted (2009)
  • Dabangg (2010)
  • Rowdy Rathore (2012)
  • Son of Sardaar (2012)
  • Ek Tha Tiger (2012) — partial credits
  • Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
  • Dabangg 2 (2012)
  • Dabangg 3 (2019)

Signature songs

The duo's catalogue includes widely recognised tracks such as "Soni De Nakhre" from Partner, "Jalwa" from Wanted, "Hud Hud Dabangg" and "Tere Mast Mast Do Nain" from Dabangg, and the title track of Rowdy Rathore. "Tere Mast Mast Do Nain", sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, was among their most commercially successful compositions.

Style and approach

Sajid–Wajid's compositions blended traditional Indian melodic structures, including elements of qawwali and folk, with contemporary Bollywood pop arrangements. Their work for action and mass-market entertainers often featured strong rhythmic hooks and item numbers, while their family and romance films drew on softer, melody-led arrangements. Wajid frequently sang lead or chorus on the duo's compositions.

Awards and recognition

The duo received nominations at major Hindi film music awards, including Filmfare and IIFA, for their work in films such as Dabangg and Wanted. They won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Dabangg (2010).

Death of Wajid Khan

Wajid Khan died on 1 June 2020 in Mumbai. He was reported to have been suffering from a kidney ailment for some time. His death effectively ended the duo, although Sajid continued to work as a solo composer thereafter, completing pending projects under his own name.

Legacy

Sajid–Wajid are remembered as one of the prominent music duos of 2000s and 2010s Hindi cinema, particularly associated with the rise of mass-entertainer cinema centred on Salman Khan. Their compositions remain in active circulation in film music compilations, weddings and live concerts in India.

References

  • Filmography listings, Hindi film soundtrack credits.
  • News coverage of Wajid Khan's death, June 2020.
  • Interviews and feature articles on Sajid–Wajid in Indian entertainment press.