Shekhar Ravjiani honours father's 75th birthday amid grief over uncle's death
Synopsis
Shekhar Ravjiani's birthday post for his father was equal parts celebration and grief — his uncle Ajit, who shared the same birthday, had passed away just days earlier. The note, raw and unfiltered, revealed the family choosing to honour both lives at once, and offered a rare glimpse into the musical household that made one of Bollywood's most prolific composing duos.
Key Takeaways
Shekhar Ravjiani celebrated his father Hasmukh Ravjiani's 75th birthday on 18 August with an emotional social media tribute.
The occasion was marked by grief, as the family had lost Shekhar's uncle Ajit — who shared the same birthday — just days earlier.
Shekhar shared rare throwback photographs of his father, including images of him playing the accordion.
Hasmukh Ravjiani introduced Shekhar to classical music at age eight and taught him the accordion; legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh was reportedly a close family friend.
Vishal-Shekhar made their film debut with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi in 1999 and have since scored over a dozen major Bollywood films.
Singer-composer Shekhar Ravjiani paid a heartfelt tribute to his father, Hasmukh Ravjiani, on the occasion of his 75th birthday on 18 August, penning an emotional note that balanced celebration with grief following the recent passing of his uncle, Ajit.
A Birthday Shadowed by Loss
Shekhar shared a series of photographs of his father — including rare throwback images from his younger years and candid shots of him playing the accordion — alongside a deeply personal message. 'Happy 75th Birthday, Dad. Age is just a number... and you are, and will always be, a rockstar. You continue to inspire me with your passion for music, love for your craft, and the way you live life with so much spirit,' he wrote.
The post took on a poignant dimension as Shekhar disclosed that his father's birthday falls on the same date as that of his late uncle. 'Today is also Chacha's birthday. We lost him just a few days ago, and it has been an emotional time for all of us,' he wrote, adding that the family came together to pray, share memories, and even play the uncle's favourite card game — 'the one where, more often than not, nobody could beat him.'
Acknowledging the Grief, Choosing to Celebrate
Addressing his father directly, Shekhar acknowledged the weight of losing a sibling while affirming the family's resolve to mark the milestone. 'Dad, I know you are grieving the loss of your brother. I know that somewhere deep inside, there is a pain that words cannot really touch. But today is your landmark 75th birthday. And today, we choose to celebrate,' he wrote.
He concluded by honouring both his father and his late uncle in the same breath: 'We celebrate you. We celebrate Ajit Uncle. We celebrate the beautiful lives you have lived together, the memories you have created, and the love that will always remain.' Shekhar called his father 'an incredible human being, an inspiration, and my rockstar Dad.'
A Musical Upbringing That Shaped a Career
Shekhar's deep bond with his father is rooted in music. He began learning classical music at the age of eight and later learnt to play the accordion under his father's guidance. The family home reportedly had a rich musical atmosphere, with legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh — said to be a close family friend — frequently visiting for music sessions.
Before making his mark in Hindi cinema, Shekhar worked in advertising and composed jingles. He came to wider attention after participating in the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 1997, which set the stage for his eventual partnership with Vishal Dadlani.
The Vishal-Shekhar Journey
The duo made their film debut with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi in 1999 and went on to become one of Hindi cinema's most prominent composing teams. Their filmography spans Jhankaar Beats, Dus, Bluffmaster, Om Shanti Om, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Dostana, Chennai Express, Bang Bang!, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan, among many others.
As a playback singer, Shekhar has also built a solo catalogue with popular tracks including 'Tujhe Bhula Diya', 'Bin Tere', 'Meherbaan', and 'Zehnaseeb'. The birthday post offered a rare personal window into the man behind the music — and the family that shaped him.
Point of View
The Jagjit Singh visits, the advertising jingles before the film credits — these are the unglamorous building blocks behind a discography that spans three decades and some of Hindi cinema's biggest blockbusters.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shekhar Ravjiani post an emotional tribute on 18 August?
Shekhar Ravjiani posted the tribute to mark his father Hasmukh Ravjiani's 75th birthday on 18 August. The post was particularly emotional because the family had recently lost his uncle Ajit, who shared the same birthday, just days before the celebration.
Who is Hasmukh Ravjiani?
Hasmukh Ravjiani is the father of singer-composer Shekhar Ravjiani. He played the accordion and encouraged Shekhar's musical training from childhood, with Shekhar beginning classical music lessons at the age of eight under his guidance.
What did Shekhar Ravjiani write about his late uncle Ajit?
Shekhar wrote that his uncle Ajit's birthday also fell on 18 August, and that the family had lost him just days before. He described the family coming together to pray, share memories, and play Ajit's favourite card game in his memory.
What is Vishal-Shekhar known for?
Vishal-Shekhar is the composing duo formed by Shekhar Ravjiani and Vishal Dadlani, who debuted with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi in 1999. They went on to score major Bollywood films including Om Shanti Om, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan.
What is Shekhar Ravjiani's connection to Jagjit Singh?
According to reports, legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh was a close family friend of the Ravjianis and reportedly visited their home frequently for music sessions, contributing to the musical environment in which Shekhar grew up.
