Indian film director, Saawan Kumar Tak's ex-wife and closest friend, music composer Usha Khanna opens up about his demise

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Indian film director Saawan Kumar Tak who is famous for his movies, Sanam Bewafa and Souten passed away on Thursday at the age of 86. It was confirmed by his nephew that the veteran filmmaker breathed his last at 4 PM in a Mumbai hospital. He suffered from heart failure and lung-related ailments. During the past few days, the famed artist had been critically ill and was being treated at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Tak’s ex-wife, veteran music composer Usha Khanna opened up about his death and losing a dear one. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, she said, “Saawan Ji was a very dear friend of mine. I’ve lost him today. What can I say about that.”

Sharing her experience of working with him, she revealed, “We worked together on so many films. The best part of working with him was the ease with which he would collaborate with another artist. He would give me complete freedom. He would say, ‘Aap vaise hi karo jaise aap ko sahi lagta hai.’ He never disturbed me while working.”

Adding about having him as her lyricist, she said, “Since he was the director and producer, having him write the lyrics were better. Otherwise, with another writer, he would have to explain the situation, scenes and thought behind every emotion. But he would write lyrics himself and working with him as a lyricist and I as the composer was always very easy.”

The duo had parted ways a long time ago but remain the closest of friends since then. Talking about their friendship, Usha said, “He was a very dear friend. In fact, even in our marriage, I always felt he was more of a friend than my husband. That's why it hurts me even more that I've lost my dear friend.”

Usha Khanna is famous for several of her songs including Ham Tumse Juda Hoke (Ek Sapera Ek Lutera), Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein (Hum Hindustani) and Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal (from Saawan Kumar Tak's Souten).