Singer Zubeen Garg’s sudden demise sent shock waves to the industry and his fans. He passed away in a scuba diving accident in Singapore. As fans gathered to get his last glimpse, many celebs reacted to his untimely death and appreciated him as an artist. Music composer Anu Malik was left stunned after hearing about the passing of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The two had worked together on several projects, including Mission Istanbul (2008) and Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003).Remembering Zubeen fondly, Anu said in a recent interview with Hindustan Times, “He was such a gentle, loving soul. Ab isse zyaada koi kisi ke baare mein kya bol sakta hai? I had met him first through a person from Assam. I made him sing in Fiza, and we got along like a house on fire. He was very emotional about his sister who he had lost in an accident. He used to sing in Assamese, Bengali, Manipuri, Boro, even Marathi, he had told me! Malyali songs as well. His live-in concerts were deadly. Yeh khabar sunke mann khatta ho gaya hai.”
The composer also recalled how Zubeen had once confided in him about his health concerns. “He used to tell me he has blackouts suddenly. I told him ‘go and get yourself checked.’ Then we lost track (of it) over the years. Usne phone bhi nahi kiya, chala gaya. The call of the hills, of his own Assam was very strong,” Anu revealed.Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Zubeen passed away while swimming in the sea without a life jacket.Sharing another memory, Anu added, “He was very proud of my music in Border. I would keep telling him to be in Mumbai, he would get more work, but he never wanted to leave his place. One day he told me ‘Anu sir I don’t want to come back to Mumbai. Aap bula loge toh aa jaaunga, aur gaana gaate hi nikal jaaunga vaapis Assam because I am more interested in social work.’ He used to go and help people affected in the floods, he was running a charity. I was very close to him, he would keep telling me about the work undertaken.”
