John Abraham Pays Heartwarming Tribute To His ‘Mentor’ Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas, the celebrated ghazal master known for blockbusters such as Ahista, died on February 26 after a prolonged illness. The legendary vocalist, who had a prominent career as a playback musician in Bollywood films, passed away at around 11 am. Soon after his demise, condolences poured in from all corners. Among others, actor John Abraham, who had worked with Pankaj Udhas during his initial days in showbiz, expressed his sorrow over losing a mentor in life.

Taking to his X handle, John Abraham wrote, “You held me close when I was just a newcomer. You are my mentor in so many ways. May you rest in peace. I will always miss you.” He also shared a still from the song Chupke Chupke in which John and the late singer worked together.

This is not the first time John Abraham described Pankaj Udhas as his “mentor.” During the initial phase of his career, John was featured in the music video, and the actor always acknowledged the singer as his inspiration. In a 2012 interview, John had told IANS, “I look at sir (Pankaj Udhas) as a mentor because when I came into this industry as a model, the first person who graciously accepted me in his music video was sir.” The actor had added, “With Chupke Chupke he is the one man who is more than responsible for my success.”

Apart from many other singers in the industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the celebrated singer. He wrote, “We mourn the loss of Pankaj Udhas Ji, whose singing conveyed a range of emotions and whose Ghazals spoke directly to the soul. He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my various interactions with him over the years. His departure leaves a void in the music world that can never be filled. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Pankaj Udhas was a renowned ghazal singer who composed heartfelt tunes that dominated playlists. Beginning with Aahat in 1980, his singles such as Mukarar and Tarrannum ruled the charts. Pankaj Udhas’ voice graced iconic Hindi movie songs such as Chitthi aayee hai from Naam. In recognition of his contributions to ghazal and philanthropy, Udhas earned the Padmashree Award in 2006. He published multiple albums and hosted numerous live events over the years, increasing his popularity.