Salim–Sulaiman

Salim and Sulaiman
Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant
Background information
Origin	Mumbai, India
Genres	Film score, soundtrack
Occupation(s)	Music director, singer, record producer, instrumentalist, arranger, programmer
Years active	1999–present

Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant are a pair of musician brothers, born and brought up in Mumbai, India. They belong to an Ismaili Muslim family and are inspired by their father Sadruddin Merchant, who used to lead Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India.^[1] Steeped in a family tradition of music as the sons of composer and veteran of the film industry Sadruddin Merchant, Salim mastered the piano on at the Trinity College of Music in London while Sulaiman took up tabla training with such legends as Taufiq Qureshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain.^[2] They emerged as popular music directors only in 2003, six years after their first music composition in a Bollywood film. They received recognition with their award-winning performance for their music in Bhoot, in which the music was a very influential and significant aspect of the movie. Their music in the award-winning movie Iqbal earned them rave accolades.

Salim and Sulaiman have been composing music for over a decade having scored for movies such as Neal 'n' Nikki, Chak De! India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Fashion. The duo had also composed for many Indi-pop performers including Viva, Aasmaan, Shweta Shetty, Jasmine and Style Bhai among others, composed and produced several TV commercials and collaborated with artistes such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan. They got their first break when Karan Johar asked them to compose the music for his movie Kaal. After that, they have gone to do movies with well-known producers and directors like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma. Before composing music, they were composing the background scores for movies.

Salim Merchant was one of the three judges for the Fifth season of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television (India) .^[3] Later in 2012; Salim Merchant sang "Ishq Wala Love" opposite Neeti Mohan and Shekhar Ravjiani for which he received rave reviews from critics. The song topped the music lists for a long period of time; thus becoming a chart-buster and a high commercial success. "Ishq Wala Love" remains one of the most listened songs on gaana.com(Popular music website throughout the globe). The song became the biggest hit of Student of the Year as well as Salim Merchant's biggest hit till date.

They have worked on a Bollywood remix for Lady Gaga's songs Born This Way and Judas.^[4][5] The duo are also composing music for the Hollywood film Sold, produced by Academy Award winner Jeffrey D. Brown.^[6]

2010 FIFA World Cup

The musical duo collaborated with South African singer Loyiso Bala and Kenyan singer and song writer Eric Wainaina to record the anthem for 2010 FIFA World Cup. The anthem is the song "Africa – You're A Star".^[7][8]

Indian Idol

Salim Merchant worked as judge along with Anu Malik and Sunidhi Chauhan in season 5 and season 6 of Indian Idol.

Awards

Filmography

As music directors

Background score

• Bang Bang (film)(2014)
• Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (2013)
• Krrish 3 (2013)
• Cocktail (2012)
• Anaganaga O Dheerudu (Telugu) (2011)
• Anjaana Anjaani (2010)
• I Hate Luv Storys (2010)
• Kites (2010)
• Paathshaala (2010)
• Wanted (2009)
• Love Aaj Kal (2009)
• De Dana Dan (2009)
• Dostana (2008)
• Fashion (2008)
• Bhoothnath (2008)
• God Tussi Great Ho (2008)
• Singh Is Kinng (2008)
• Race (2008)
• Dhoom 2 (2006)
• Krrish (2006)
• 36 China Town (2006)
• Shortcut (2006)
• Fanaa (2006)
• Pyare Mohan (2006)
• Being Cyrus (2006)
• Fight Club – Members Only (2006)
• Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006)
• Dosti: Friends Forever (2005)
• Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005)
• Salaam Namaste (2005)
• No Entry (2005)
• Barsaat (2005)
• Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005)
• Naina (2005)
• Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2005)
• Vaada (2005)
• Koffee with Karan (TV Series) (2004)
• Aitraaz (2004)
• Dhoom (2004)
• Shock (2004)
• Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
• Hyderabad Blues 2 (2004)
• Hum Tum (2004)
• Ab Tak Sodhi (2004)
• Agni Pankh (2004)
• Kahan Ho Tum (2003)
• Qayamat (2003)
• Moksha (2001)
• Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999)
• Hameshaa (1997)
• Sunday (2007)

References

External links

• Salim and Sulaiman Official Website

Events of Salim Sulaiman in USA and Canada http://events.sulekha.com/salim-sulaiman_tickets_artist_140