In a heartfelt nod to the past, actor Pooja Bhatt took to social media to share a series of evocative pictures featuring her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, alongside the legendary radio personality Ameen Sayani, who recently passed away at the age of 91. The photographs, which Pooja uploaded to her Instagram Story on Wednesday, exude a sense of nostalgia, captured brilliantly in black and white. Accompanied by the simple yet poignant hashtag “#ameensayani,” the images served as a visual eulogy, illustrating the warmth and camaraderie between her father and Sayani.
The entertainment world is collectively mourning the loss of Ameen Sayani, an icon whose voice defined an era of radio broadcasting in India. His demise has spurred an outpouring of condolences from various quarters, including esteemed figures like film director Madhur Bhandarkar, music composer Anu Malik, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, devotional singer Anup Jalota, and actors Raza Murad, Nitin Mukesh, and Neil Nitin Mukesh, who have all expressed their sorrow over the loss of a man whose contribution to Indian entertainment was monumental.
A brewing storm of grief followed the announcement of Sayani’s death. The veteran radio presenter suffered a fatal heart attack on a late Tuesday night and was subsequently rushed to the HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai, where his storied life came to a close. Rajil Sayani, his son, confirmed his father’s passing on the following day.
Born on December 21, 1932, in Mumbai, Ameen Sayani’s journey into the hearts of millions began in the early days of his career as an English-language broadcaster. However, recognizing his fluency in Hindi and the broader reach it afforded, he soon shifted to Hindi broadcasting. His pivot proved successful, and Sayani quickly rose to fame, becoming a household name with his popular radio show ‘Binaca Geetmala’. The show, which featured well-curated playlists of Hindi film music, resonated deeply with the Indian audience, turning it into a national craze.
The distinctive baritone of Ameen Sayani, along with his signature greeting, “Namaskar bhaiyon aur behno, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon,” became synonymous with radio entertainment. His voice and style were so popular that they spurred imitations and homages. Sayani’s prolific career saw him produce and compere an astounding 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 jingles from 1951 onwards.
Ameen Sayani’s professional journey was influenced by his brother, Hamid Sayani, who introduced him to All India Radio in Bombay. But it was in 1952, with his work at Radio Ceylon, that his career truly took flight. His talents weren’t confined to radio alone; Sayani also made notable appearances in several Bollywood movies including ‘Bhoot Bungla’, ‘Teen Devian’, ‘Boxer’, and ‘Qatl’.
As tributes continue to flow, it is evident that Ameen Sayani has left an indelible mark on the world of broadcasting, and his voice continues to reverberate in the hearts of many. His demise has created a void that seems almost impossible to fill. His legacy, however, is assured, as he will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations with his unparalleled dedication to the art of radio.
The curtain may have fallen on Ameen Sayani’s life, but the symphony of his voice will play on, unforgotten and deeply cherished. While the news of his passing is obtained from third party sources, the impact of his passing is undeniably profound. The editorial team here at Mid-day has made efforts to provide an account that is as accurate and reliable as possible, reserving the right to make alterations to content as deemed necessary.
