Anu Malik recalls getting Pankaj Udhas to sing 'Kitaben Bahut Si' before Baazigar was made | Exclusive

Anu Malik and Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas's demise has left a gaping hole in the Indian music industry. The singer was renowned for his soulful ghazals and playback singing in films. The news of Pankaj Udhas' death has sent shockwaves throughout the entire music industry. Music composer Anu Malik, too, was shocked to learn about Udhas's sudden demise. "I knew he was ill but did not know he was serious. I tried calling him but he never got back," says Anu Malik while talking to mid-day.com.

However, Anu Malik has the fondest memories with Pankaj Udhas. He recalled getting the maestro to record the song 'Kitaben Bahut Si Padi Hogi Tumne' even before it was used in the film 'Baazigar' making is widely popular. Before it was used in the film, Pankaj Udhas and Asha Bhosle recorded the ghazal version composed by Anu Malik. "I was working on an album for Venus movie before Baazigar happened. I composed 'Kitaben Bahut Si Padi Hogi Tumne' before I was signed for 'Baazigar'. And at that time I had no work, no films. Then I asked Ratan Jain (head of Venus Movies) if he would listen to my song 'Kitaben Bahut Si..' . He loved the poetry. He asked me whom do you have in mind as the singer. I said I feel it should be Pankaj Udhas as he is getting quite popular. He agreed."

"When I called Pankaj ji he agreed to listen. He was very busy at that time, he was doing a lot of shows. He would compose also and sing as well. He asked me to sing the song and he immediately jumped and said this is Zafar Gorakhpuri's lyrics. I asked how does he know that. He said that he is a very famous ghazal writer and asked how did I turn this into such a good commercial tune. I did not know how to react to his compliment. He got up and an gave me a hug and said 'tumne ek ghazal gaane ko itna commerical bana diya hai, tum bahut aage jaoge'. And I made him sing with Asha Bhosle. They all complimented me. After some years when I heard the song 'Chitti Ayi Hai', I called him to pay back the compliment and said no one else could have sung the song. He was very emotional."

'He was humble and kind'

"He was a very witty, humourus person and he used to smile a lot. He would roll on the floor with laughter when we would talk. He wasn't like other ghazal singers who were picky. He would sing any song. He loved his music and was proud of his singing. He was a great human being and he made his place in the field of ghazal like no other. I would also like to add that the music world, ghazal world, and music lovers have lost a shining star. He loved his two daughters, loved his wife, and was really proud of the house he made. He would do a lot of shows but was very humble and never arrogant. He was sorted. He always had kind words for everyone and would never talk bad about anyone else. He would only talk about music," Malik added.