Salim Merchant - Biography, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Music

Know about Salim Merchant’s age, family, biography, networth, awards and career. Keep reading more to get interesting facts about Salim Merchant

Profile Summary

Biography

Salim Merchant is a renowned Indian music composer singer and songwriter. Salim is part of the famous music composer duo Salim-Sulaiman along with his brother Sulaiman Merchant.

Some of the notable Bollywood movies that feature Salim-Sulaiman's music include Kaante Neal 'n' Nikki Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Fashion Band Baaja Baaraat and Chak De! India. They have also composed music for Hollywood movies such as Soldier The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and A Million Rivers.

Salim's music is renowned for fusing Indian and Western music genres to produce a distinctive and modern sound. In India and throughout the world he has a sizable fan base thanks to his ability as a vocalist and songwriter. Salim is one of the most admired and recognized musicians in India as a result of his contributions to the music industry.

Age

Salim was born on March 3 1974 in Mundra Kutch Gujarat India. He is 49 years old as of 2023.Astrologically speaking his zodiac sign is Pisces. 

Education

Salim began learning the piano harmonium and tabla at a young age after displaying a strong interest in music. Subsequently Salim enrolled at London's Trinity College of Music to finish his official music education. He studied orchestration arrangement and sound design in addition to specializing in piano and composition.

Family

Salim Merchant was raised in a family with a rich musical legacy. His father is Sadruddin Merchant the former conductor of the Indian Ismaili Scouts Orchestra. There is not much information available about his mother. He also has a brother Sulaiman Merchant who is also a music composer. Currently Salim is married to Jeanne Micheal Merchant a singer and lyricist. The couple has a daughter Ayesha Merchant.

Career

Salim and Sulaiman have been writing music for motion pictures for more than ten years. They have provided the soundtrack for films including Neal 'n' Nikki Chak De! India Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Fashion. The duo also worked with artists including K.S. Chithra Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan. They also penned music for a variety of Indi-pop musicians including Viva Aasmaan Shweta Shetty Jasmine and Style Bhai.

They then went on to work on films with renowned producers and filmmakers like Yash Chopra Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma. Up until the Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar film Kaal for which their song compositions won praise they primarily composed the background music for films. For Indian Idol's fifth season on Sony Entertainment Television Salim Merchant served as one of the three judges (India).

They have created a Bollywood remix for the songs Born This Way and Judas by Lady Gaga. They also contributed to Enrique's I'm A Freak song. For the Hollywood movie Sold the team created two songs. Salim-Sulaiman and Ricky Kej released their Gandhi Jayanti song during the 2020 shutdown. The pair has worked with independent musicians like Shivansh Jindal to develop a variety of songs.

The musical group also worked with Kenyan singer-songwriter Eric Wainaina and South African vocalist Loyiso Bala to record the FIFA World Cup 2010 anthem. The song Africa - You're A Star serves as the national anthem.

Top 5 Songs by Salim

Aashayein

This motivational song from the movie Iqbal (2005) is one of Salim's most popular compositions. Sung by Salim himself the song encourages people to never give up on their dreams and keep moving forward. The song opens with a beautiful piano melody and gradually builds up with the addition of drums guitar and strings. Salim's soulful voice adds an emotional depth to the lyrics which are full of hope and optimism. The music video of the song features the lead actor of the movie Shreyas Talpade who plays a deaf and mute aspiring cricketer named Iqbal.

Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai

Play

This romantic song from the movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) is a beautiful composition by Salim. Sung by Roop Kumar Rathod the song is a favorite of many music lovers.

The music video of the song features the lead actors of the movie Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma who play a couple in love. The song has become a popular choice for weddings and romantic occasions and is considered one of Salim-Sulaiman's most iconic compositions. Its timeless melody and heartwarming lyrics continue to touch the hearts of listeners all around the world.

Shukran Allah

This soulful song from the movie Kurbaan (2009) is another popular composition by Salim. Sung by Sonu Nigam Shreya Ghoshal and Salim Merchant himself the song expresses gratitude and thankfulness to God. The song opens with a serene piano melody and gradually builds up with the addition of drums and strings. Sonu Nigam's melodious voice adds a divine quality to the lyrics which express the feeling of being grateful for all the blessings in life. The song's beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a popular choice for religious and spiritual gatherings.

Dancing Jodi

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Dancing Jodi is a lively and upbeat song from the Bollywood movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) composed by Salim-Sulaiman and written by Jaideep Sahni. 

The song is sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Labh Janjua and features a catchy and energetic melody that celebrates the joy of dancing and being in love. The song opens with a fast-paced rhythm and a lively brass section creating a festive and energetic atmosphere. 

The music video of the song features the lead actors of the movie Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma who play a newly married couple. Its catchy melody and fun lyrics continue to be enjoyed by listeners all around the world.

Ali Maula

This Sufi song from the movie Kurbaan (2009) is a masterpiece by Salim. Sung by Salim himself the song has a powerful message about the unity of all religions. The song opens with a haunting melody on the Indian flute and gradually builds up with the addition of tabla and other traditional Indian instruments. Salim Merchant's soulful voice adds a spiritual quality to the lyrics which express devotion and reverence towards the almighty. The music video of the song features the lead actors of the movie Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor who play a couple in love. The song's message of devotion and surrender to the divine continues to inspire listeners all around the world.

Career Timeline

For Background Score

Networth

Salim is one of the wealthiest and most well-known composers in the industry. Salim Merchant's estimated net worth is $5 million.

Awards

• 2013 - Mirchi Music Awards
• 2007 - Filmfare Awards
• 2005 - IIFA Awards
• 2003 - Star Screen Awards
• 2004 - Star Screen Awards
• 2005 - Zee Cine Awards
• 2008 - Syracuse International Film Festival Awards
• 2007 - FHM (magazine) awards

Interesting facts about Salim

• Salim's surname used to be Moledina but when his uncle immigrated to Australia he changed it to Merchant.
• Salim's father was a musician therefore he was exposed to music at a young age.
• Salim received his instruction in the harmonium from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Delhi.
• Salim learned music from Ustad Sultan Khan.
• Salim began his musical career along with his brother Sulaiman by creating jingles for television commercials.
• Salim transitioned to mainstream music in the middle of the 1990s and collaborated with artists including Voodoo Rapper Style Bhai Shweta Shetty and Jasmine Bharucha.
• Salim and his brother were given their first Bollywood gig in 1997 which was to write the background score for the movie Hameshaa.
• Salim then provided the music composition for the movie Ghaath. After providing the background music for the movie Bhoot the duo became famous.
• Salim's favorite song is Yeh Honsla Kaise Jhuke from the movie Dor which is included on the list of all of his compositions.
• Salim's wife established a child music academy in 2013. She has worked with several famous children including Hrehaan the son of Hrithik Roshan Akira the daughter of Farhan Akhtar and Aador the daughter of Ronit Roy.
• Salim and his brother Sulaiman were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2009 for the song We Like Being Tiny from the television program Wonder Pets.
• In 2010 Salim-Sulaiman worked with Kenyan singer Eric Wainaina and South African singer Loyiso Bala to record Africa - You're A Star the song that serves as the FIFA World Cup anthem. They are the only Indians who have recorded the FIFA World Cup anthem as of today (2019).
• Salim likes dogs and has two of his own named Cookie and Daisy.

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