Bollywood came to them when they were still concentrating on advertisement jingles, because sometimes it helps to be at the right place at the right time. Working in the same building as film director Sanjay Gupta, the brothers’ work was overheard by the Bollywood director, who immediately signed them on to compose and record the theme of his 1997 Kajol and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Hameshaa. Before they knew it, Salim and Sulaiman had captured Bollywood’s attention.

www.salimsulaiman.com

Today Salim and Sulaiman are among Bollywood’s hottest music directors, and everyone is dancing to their tunes. By incorporating western, folk, Hindustani and Sufi influences to their music, the duo has managed to enthrall audiences across the world and not only keep up with the changing face of India’s film industry, but also help redefine it.

When they aren’t taking over Mumbai’s B-town, they’re composing jingles for television commercials of India’s leading brands including Visa, Raymond and Pepsi; or producing albums for a long list of artists such as Adnan Sami, Voodoo Rapper, Style Bhai, Shweta Shetty and many more. The Indian audience also identifies television channel Sony and hit shows including Bigg Boss and Khatron ka Khiladi (Fear Factor) by the music created by this duo. They have previously been seen on many shows including Chak De Bacche (9X), Sa Re Ga Ma Grand Finale (Zee) and even been the face for Raymond Suitings. This year Indian Idol 5 puts them in the spotlight with Salim on the panel of judges in search for India’s next singing superstar. If the fan following and regular additions to their awards list (Filmfare, Zee Cine, Screen, IIFA) are anything to go by, Salim and Sulaiman have earned the respect and adoration of both the audiences and the film industry in India. Winning an award at New York’s Syracuse International Film Festival for Fashion….. nation last year for Nickelodeon USA’s show Wonder Pets! only serves as proof of their immense talent and diversity as music directors in a worldwide context.

Sons of composer and veteran of the Telugu film industry in South India, Sadruddin Merchant, Salim and Sulaiman’s love for music couldn’t wait. While at school, Salim insisted on learning the piano, finally mastering it at the Trinity School of Music in London; Sulaiman took up tabla, and was mentored by masters such as Taufiq Qureshi and tabla prodigy Ustad Zakir Hussain. And the song may have come later, but three and a half decades back, in true Bollywood style: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

While the Merchants of Bollywood continually strive to create magic through their music, what’s next is anybody’s guess. Whether it’s Bollywood, Hollywood, Television or Advertisements – you can be sure that it will command our attention. And the rest, as we aren’t warned often enough, is the future.

Filmography

2010
Scored Background score for Teen Patti & Kites.
Composed Music For Teen Patti.

2009
Nominated for the prestigious Day Time Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Original Song – Children & Animation for the Song ‘We like being small’ for the Series Wonder Pets on Nickelodeon channel.
Won the Best Music award at the Syracuse International Film Festival of New York for their score of the movie ‘Fashion’..
Composed Music For Luck, Teen Patti, Tasveer 8×10, Pyar Impossible, Kurbaan, Rocket Singh – Salesman of the year.
Scored Background score for Wanted, Tasveer 8×10, Love Aaj Kal, Kites, Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani, London Dreams, Kurbaan, Rocket Singh – Salesman of the year.
Won ‘The Best Dressed Music Directors’ award from FHM Magazine.

2008
Composed Music for Aashayein, Fashion, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi,
Koochi Koochie Hota Hai, Roadside Romeo.
Scored Background for Race, Bhootnath, Singh is King, God Tussi Great Ho, Dostana, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Shortkut.
Featured in two successful seasons of the television reality talent hunt series ‘Chak De Bachche’ & ‘Chak De Shaher di Kudi Galli de Gunde’.

2007
Composed Music for Aaja Nach Le, Chak De India(All Yash Raj Films), Chain Kuli Ki Main Kuli (Ken Ghosh Film).
Featured in the Raymond’s T.V. Commercial..
Awarded the FILMFARE award for Best Background Score For the movie KRISSH.
Scored Background for Ta Ra Rum Pum, Namaste London, Partner.

2006
Scored FIGHTCLUB, PYARE MOHAN, 36 CHINA TOWN, FANAA, KRISSH, NAKSHA, DHOOM II, BHAGAM BHAG.