Salim–Sulaiman are an Indian music composer duo consisting of siblings Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant. The duo has composed music predominantly for

Hindi films Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Hollywood". The industry, producing films in th ...

Life and early career

Salim–Sulaiman's ancestral town is

Mundra Mundra is a census town and a headquarter of Mundra Taluka of Kutch district, Kachchh district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. Founded in about the 1640s, the town was an important mercantile centre and port thr ...

, Kutch,

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

. They were born in

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

. Salim Merchant was born on 3 March 1974 and Sulaiman Merchant was born on 21 December 1970. They were inspired by their father Sadruddin Merchant, who used to lead

Ismaili Ismailism () is a branch of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor ( imām) to Ja'far al-Sadiq, wherein they differ from the Twelver Shia, who accept ...

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 on at the

Trinity College of Music Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a music, dance, and musical theatre conservatoire based in South East London. It was formed in 2005 as a merger of two older institutions – Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre. Trini ...

in London while Sulaiman took up tabla training with such legends as Taufiq Qureshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain. Six years after their first music composition for a Bollywood film, they received acclaim for the

film score A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental, or choral pieces called cues, which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to ...

of '' Bhoot''. 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 Fashion is a term used interchangeably to describe the creation of clothing, footwear, Fashion accessory, accessories, cosmetics, and jewellery of different cultural aesthetics and their mix and match into Clothing, outfits that depict distinct ...

''. 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 K. S. Chithra, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ayisha Abdul Basith. After that, they have gone to do movies with well-known producers and directors like

Yash Chopra Yash Raj Chopra (27 September 1932 21 October 2012) was an Indian film director and film producer who worked in Bollywood, Hindi cinema. The founding chairman of the film production and distribution company Yash Raj Films, Chopra was the reci ...

Subhash Ghai Subhash Ghai (born 24 January 1945) is an Indian film director, producer, actor, lyricist, music director and screenwriter, primarily known for his work in Hindi cinema. He was one of the most prominent Hindi filmmakers in the 1980s and 1990s. ...

and

Ram Gopal Varma Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma (born 7 April 1962), often referred to by his initials RGV, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, primarily known for his work in Hindi cinema, Hindi and Telugu cinema, Telugu films.** * * Varma has dir ...

. They were predominantly composing background scores for movies, until the

Karan Johar Karan Yash Johar (born Rahul Kumar Johar; 25 May 1972), often informally referred to as KJo, is an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality who primarily works in Hindi cinema. He has launched the careers of several successful ac ...

Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan (; born 2 November 1965), also known by the initialism SRK, is an Indian actor and film producer who works in Hindi cinema. Referred to in the media as the "Padishah, Baadshah of Bollywood" and "King Khan", he has Shah Rukh K ...

production '' Kaal'', for which their song compositions received acclaim. Salim Merchant was one of the three judges for the '' fifth season'' of ''

Indian Idol ''Indian Idol'' is an Indian music competition television franchise based on the ''Pop Idol ''Pop Idol'' is a British music competition television series created by Simon Fuller which ran on ITV from 2001 to 2003. The aim of the show was ...

'' on

Sony Entertainment Television (India) Sony Entertainment Television (abbreviated as SET) is an Indian Hindi-language general entertainment pay television channel that was launched in 1995 and is owned by Culver Max Entertainment, a division of Sony Pictures. History This channel ...

. They have worked on a Hollywood remix for

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her image reinventions and versatility across the entertainment industry, she is an influ ...

's songs '' Born This Way'' and ''

Judas Judas Iscariot (; ; died AD) was, according to Christianity's four canonical gospels, one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane, in exchange for thirty pieces of ...

''. They also worked on I'm A Freak By Enrique. The duo did two songs for the Hollywood film '' Sold''. During the 2020 lockdown Salim–Sulaiman released Gandhi Jayanti single with Ricky Kej. The duo have produced various tracks in collaboration with a number of indie artists including Shivansh Jindal.

2010 FIFA World Cup

The musical duo collaborated with South African singer Loyiso Bala and Kenyan singer and songwriter Eric Wainaina to record the anthem for

2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national Association football, football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. ...

. The anthem is the song "Africa – You're A Star".

Indian Idol

Salim Merchant was a judge along with

Anu Malik Anwar Sardar "Anu" Malik (born 2 November 1960) is an Indian music composer, singer, music arranger and score composer. He is the recipient of a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards, who primarily composes music for the Hindi film ...

and

Sunidhi Chauhan Sunidhi Chauhan (pronounced ; born Nidhi Chauhan, 14 August 1983) is an Indian playback singer. Known for her Bold vocal range, she has recorded songs for films in several Indian languages and List of awards and nominations received by Sunidhi ...

in season 5 and season 6 of Indian Idol. Salim has judged the second season of Indian Idol Junior along with

Vishal Dadlani Vishal Dadlani (born 28 June 1973) is an Indian singer, songwriter, music composer and occasional actor. He is one half of the duo Vishal–Shekhar, and frontman and vocalist of one of India's leading rock bands Pentagram. As a great singer, ...

and

Sonakshi Sinha Sonakshi Sinha (; born 2 June 1987) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films and series. The daughter of actors and politicians Poonam Sinha, Poonam and Shatrughan Sinha, she has appeared in ''Forbes India'' Forbes Celebrity 100, Celebrity ...

. He was one among the four judges with Coach Shaan, Coach Benny, and Coach Neeti in the second season of The Voice India.

Salim Sulaiman Music

Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, renowned Indian music composers and producers, launched their own record label, Merchant Records, to nurture emerging talent and produce diverse music. This initiative reflects their commitment to artistic freedom and innovation, allowing them to explore various musical genres without industry constraints. Through Merchant Records, they have collaborated with a range of artists, contributing to the evolution of the Indian music scene. Their YouTube channel, Salim Sulaiman Music, serves as a platform to showcase their work and support new artists. In 2023, they released "Shukranallah," a film directed and written by Shakti Hasija, celebrating their 31-year musical journey. This endeavor underscores their dedication to both preserving their musical legacy and fostering the growth of upcoming talent in the industry. Under their label Merchant Records on YouTube, Salim-Sulaiman released albums celebrated the fusion of traditional Indian music with contemporary global sounds, creating a unique auditory experience.

Bhoomi (2020)

Released during the pandemic, Bhoomi (2020) was a musical tribute to Indian culture and spirituality, with each track blending folk traditions and modern music. The album featured collaborations with prominent and upcoming artists. Some notable tracks include: "Bhoomi 2020 (Intro)" – A powerful instrumental piece introducing the album's essence. "Bismillah" featuring Sukhwinder Singh – A Sufi-inspired melody. "Muraliya" featuring Shreya Ghoshal – A soulful track based on Lord Krishna's flute. "Sanwal" featuring Ustad Shujaat Khan – A blend of Indian classical music and electronic beats. "Haq Ali" featuring Raj Pandit – A qawwali-inspired song dedicated to Ali.

Bhoomi (2021)

Bhoomi 2021 delved deeper into Indian folk roots while experimenting with diverse genres. Highlights of this album include: "Shiv Kund" featuring Padma Shri Kailash Kher – A spiritually uplifting hymn. "Mori Sajni" featuring Raaginder – A fusion of Punjabi folk and violin melodies. "Aabad" featuring Salman Ali – A poignant ballad celebrating resilience. "Tandav" featuring Ehsaan Noorani – A powerful instrumental piece inspired by Lord Shiva's dance. "Dil Laya Dimaag Laya" featuring Sunidhi Chauhan – A modern take on a love ballad.

Bhoomi 2023

Released in December 2023, Bhoomi 2023 continues the duo's exploration of India's rich musical heritage. Notable tracks include: "Dangal" featuring Srushti Tawade and Cyli Khare – A dynamic composition that fuses traditional rhythms with modern lyrical flow. "Maari Maavadi" featuring Amit Trivedi, Osman Mir, and Aamir Mir – A vibrant track that showcases a blend of regional folk influences. "Bulaava Aaya" – A soulful melody that resonates with spiritual undertones. "Jaaniya" featuring

Arijit Singh Arijit Singh (; born 25 April 1987) is an Indian playback singer. A leading figure in contemporary Hindi film music, he is the recipient of several accolades including two National Film Awards and seven Filmfare Awards. He was conferred the P ...

– A romantic ballad highlighting Singh's emotive vocals. "Ghoomar" featuring

Shreya Ghoshal Shreya Ghoshal (; born 12 March 1984) is an Indian singer. Noted for her wide vocal range and versatility, she is one of the most prolific and influential singers of India. Often referred to as the "Queen of Dynamics'' for her remarkable voc ...

– A rendition of the traditional Rajasthani folk dance song, enriched with contemporary arrangements. "Rangreza" featuring

Harshdeep Kaur Harshdeep Kaur (born 16 December 1986) is an Indian playback singer known for her Bollywood Hindi, Punjabi, English and Sufi songs. She is popularly known as "Sufi Ki Sultana" because of her soulful Sufi renditions. After winning titles in two ...

– A Sufi-inspired track that delves into themes of divine love. "Kesariya Balam" featuring Kaushiki Chakraborty – A modern take on the classic Rajasthani folk song. "Naino Ki Mat Mari" featuring Rekha Bhardwaj – A rustic folk tune with a contemporary twist. "Banjara" featuring Papon – A song that captures the nomadic spirit through its melody and lyrics. "Mast Kalandar" featuring

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhwinder Singh (born 18 July 1971) is an Indian playback singer who primarily sings Bollywood songs. He sang " Jai Ho" in the film '' Slumdog Millionaire'', for which he won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Televisi ...

– An energetic rendition of the popular traditional song.

Bhoomi 2024

Released in early 2025, Bhoomi 2024 features collaborations with a diverse range of artists, furthering the duo's mission to bridge traditional and modern musical expressions. Notable tracks include: "Morya" featuring Karan Kanchan, Vaishali Samant, and 100RBH – A high-energy track celebrating Lord Ganesha with a fusion of traditional chants and contemporary beats. "Allah Ke Pyaare Nabi" featuring Richa Sharma and Salim Merchant – A devotional song paying homage to the Prophet Muhammad, blending soulful vocals with serene instrumentation. "Chunaree" featuring Amit Trivedi, Taylor Jones, and Alawn – A cross-cultural collaboration that marries Indian melodies with global pop influences. "Chhaila" featuring

and

– A duet that showcases the powerful vocals of two leading singers, set against a backdrop of traditional rhythms. "Mayavi" featuring

Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is an Indian playback singer, music director, dubbing artist and actor. He is one of the most versatile singers and widest vocal ranges in the history of Indian music. His songs vary from romantic to break-up, cla ...

, Sanjith Hegde, and Nagarjun Sharma – A mystical composition that intertwines classical Indian music with modern soundscapes. "Mehram" featuring Goldie Sohel and Asees Kaur – A romantic ballad that blends heartfelt lyrics with melodious tunes. "Jaanaan" featuring Raj Pandit and Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie – A soulful track that delves into themes of love and longing. "900 Rupiya (Never Let You Go)" featuring Loren Allred – An Indo-Western fusion that combines poignant lyrics with a captivating melody. "Ujaan" featuring

and Srijato – A melodious song that beautifully blends Bengali poetry with contemporary music. "Jaan Le Gayi" featuring

and

– An energetic track that combines powerful vocals with dynamic instrumentation.

Awards

Filmography

Songs sung by Salim Merchant

Discography

References

External links

Salim and Sulaiman Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salim-Sulaiman Indian male playback singers Indian Ismailis Indian Sufis Singers from Mumbai Indian musical duos Filmfare Awards winners Hindi film score composers Performers of Sufi music People from Kutch district People from Bhuj Gujarati people Indian pop composers Bollywood playback singers 21st-century Indian singers Kutchi people Indian male film score composers 21st-century Indian male singers Khoja Ismailis Sibling musical duos