Salim-Sulaiman

Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant
Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant
Background information
Origin	Kutch, India
Genres	Film score, soundtrack
Occupations	Music director, singer, record producer, instrumentalist, arranger, programmer
Years active	1997–present

Salim Merchant And Sulaiman Merchant are a musical duo of brothers, born and brought up in Bhuj, Kutch, India. They belong to Ismaili Muslim family and are inspired by their father Sadruddin Merchant, who used to lead Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India. Steeped in a family tradition of music as the sons of composer and veteran of the film industry Sadruddin Merchant, Salim mastered the piano at the Trinity School of Music in London while Sulaiman took up tabla training with such legends as Taufiq Qureshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain. 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 the film Bhoot, in which the music was a very influential and significant aspect of the movie. Their music in the award winning movie Iqbal which was written by Vipul K Rawal earned them rave accolades.

They are Hindi music director duo and quality singers in India. 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 is one of the three judges for the Fifth season of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television (India) and he has also sung in many movies. Salim Merchant has also been recently signed on for the first season of The X Factor India, alongside Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

They have also worked on a Bollywood remix for Lady Gaga's songs Born This Way and Judas.

2010 FIFA World Cup

The musical duo, who 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".

Awards

Filmfare Awards

• 2007: Won, Filmfare Best Background Score Award; Krrish

IIFA Awards

• 2005: Won, IIFA Best Background Score Award; Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Star Screen Awards

• 2003: Won, Star Screen Award for Best Background Score; Bhoot
• 2004: Won, Star Screen Award for Best Background Score; Dhoom

Zee Cine Awards

• 2005: Won, Zee Cine Award for Best Background Score; Ab Tak Chhappan

Daytime Emmy Awards

• 2009 - Nominated, Daytime Emmy Award For Outstanding Original Song In A Children's Series Wonder Pets

Filmography

As music directors

• Jodi Breakers (2012)
• Heroine (2012)
• Shakal Pe Mat Ja (2011)
• Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011)
• Aazaan (2011)
• Love Breakups Zindagi (2011)
• Anagananga Oka Dheerudu (Telugu) (2011)
• Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
• Hisss (2010)
• Aashayein (2010)
• Teen Patti (2010)
• Pyaar Impossible! (2009)
• Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009)
• Kurbaan (2009)
• Luck (2009)
• Wonder Pets (2009)
• 8 x 10 Tasveer (2009)

• Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
• Fashion (2008)
• Roadside Romeo (2008)
• Bombay to Bangkok (2008)
• Aaja Nachle (2007)
• Chak De! India (2007)
• Dor (2006)
• Neal n' Nikki (2006)
• Iqbal (2006)
• Kaal (2005)
• Darna Mana Hai (2003)
• Bhoot (2003)
• Gate To Heaven (2003)
• Teen Deewarein (2003)
• Ghaath (2000)
• Hamesha (1997)

Background score

• Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? (Telugu) (2012)
• Anagananga Oka Dheerudu (Telugu) (2011)
• Anjaana Anjaani (2010)
• I Hate Luv Storys (2010)
• Kites (2010)
• Paathshala (2010)
• Wanted (2009)
• De Dana Dan (2009)
• Dostana (2008)
• Fashion (2008)
• Singh Is Kinng (2008)
• Race (2008)
• Dhoom 2 (2006)
• Krrish (2006)
• 36 China Town (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 To 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)

External links

• Salim and Sulaiman Official Website