How an Indian billionaire changed Nazia and Zoheb lives

Pop royalty Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan ruled the radio in the 1980s, not just in Pakistan but in India too. But their eventful musical journey may have looked quite different if not for a simple phone call from a famous Indian billionaire.

Zoheb Hassan shared this amazing story on his Instagram, remembering how the late Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86 on October 09,2024 reached out to them and offered them a chance to create their iconic album, Young Tarang.

Zoheb wrote, “Nazia and Zoheb you have a telephone call from some gentleman by the name of Mr. Ratan”, my mother said while handing Nazia the phone. “My name is Ratan and I am starting a music company by the name of CBS India. I would like you and Zoheb to record an album for us if possible.”

Excitedly, Nazia asked her mother if Mr. Ratan could come over to discuss the project the project. They set a meeting for Friday, and the family eagerly waited for his arrival. When he came, he was tallm well dressed, and spoke kindly.

Ratan Tata said, “If you guys agree then let’s make it happen. I will get someone to get in touch with you regarding the agreement. Make sure you get a lawyer and your parents to look at the agreement. If you don’t agree with anything speak to me directly.”

With Ratan’s support, Nazia and Zoheb created Young Tarang, which features some of the first music videos in India and South Asia. During this time, MTV was just starting in the USA, and the network even reached out to express how amazed they were by the album.

“The rest is history and we produced the YoungTarang album with possibly the first music videos India and SouthAsia had ever seen. This was around the time MTV had just launched in usa . MTV called us and said they had never seen anything like this and asked if we had done anything in English. Doordarshan played the music videos in India and the album outsold even #DiscoDewane”, Zoheb added.

Reflecting on an unforgettable encounter with a true gentleman, Zoheb Hassan shared his memories of meeting Mr. Ratan Tata during the launch of their iconic album.

Zoheb wrote, “When we finally met Mr. Ratan Tata on the launch of the album at TheTajHotel in Mumbai we were then told by the MD of CBS India who this great man was. Until then we had no idea who Mr.Ratan was. After the launch of the album he invited Nazia and I to his residence for dinner. We thought he probably lived in a palace. When we reached we were taken aback that the most powerful industrialist lived in such a humble abode. A small 2 bed flat sparsely decorated. We met his sister, one servant and an alsatian whom he loved dearly.”

“It was a simple dinner with a great man which to this day I will never forget.
A true gentleman and an icon of the business world. RIP” Hassan concluded.

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A post shared by Zoheb Hassan Official (@zohebhassan_)

Ratan Tata was India’s most recognized business leader and he also took over the family empire in 1991, riding the wave of the radical free-market reforms India had just unleashed that year.

Tata is also known for his philanthropic work, contributing to education, healthcare, and rural development initiatives in India