From Farhan Akhtar to Sona Mohapatra, Bollywood celebs mourn veteran music composer Vanraj Bhatia’s demise

Veteran music composer Vanraj Bhatia recently passed away at the age of 93. Bhatia has scored music in several films such as Shyam Benegal’s ‘Ankur’, Naseeruddin Shah starrer ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ and more. The senior musician was living alone with his domestic help. Suffering from age-related issues, he was bedridden at his apartment on Napean Sea Road. As per reports, his health further deteriorated for the last couple of months while he remained with only a little activity at his home. Avoiding doctor’s appointment owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the music composer also seemed to suffer from loss of appetite. Many celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Smriti Irani, Hansal Mehta and others took to their social media accounts and offered condolences. While Farhan Akhtar wrote, 'RIP #VanrajBhatia.. apart from from the many other brilliant works he created, I vividly remember the theme of 'Tamas' that started with a shriek so filled with anguish, it could send a chill up anyone's spine and break anyone's heart', Smriti Irani wrote, 'Shocked to learn about the passing away of Vanraj Bhatia. Wagle ki Duniya, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, he leaves behind countless memories in his scores. My condolences to his loved ones & fans.' Filmmaker Hansal Mehta and popular singer Sona Mohapatra also paid tribute to him on social media. Sona wrote, 'Vanraj Bhatia. A virtuoso composer, musician & a master of orchestral arrangements. Apart from his exemplary work in new age cinema, he created haunting memorable scores for TV shows like Tamas, Bharat Ek Khoj & many others including theatre. He was 94. #OmShanti' Trained in western classical music, Vanraj attended the Royal Academy of Music, London and has several contributions in the field of cinema, television, advertising and stage. While he is a recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Nation Film Award Award for Best Music Direction for Tamas in 1988, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989 and Padma Shri in 2012, some of his best works in Hindi films are ‘Manthan’, ‘36 Chowringhee Lane’, ‘Junoon’, ‘Bhumika’, ‘Mandi’and many more.