PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Salim Sadruddin Moledina Merchant
Profession(s): Singer, Music Director, Score Composer
Date of Birth: 3 March 1974 (Sunday)
Age (as in 2019): 45 Years
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Religion: Islam
Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian
Age: 45 Years
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EDUCATION
School: St Peter’s High School, Mumbai
College/University: KC College, Mumbai
Educational Qualification: Graduate
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 178 cm in meters – 1.78 m in feet & inches – 5’ 10”
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Affairs/Girlfriends: Jeanne Merchant
Wife/Spouse: Jeanne Merchant (Singer, Lyricist)
Children: Son – None Daughter – Ayesha
Parents: Father – Late Sadruddin Merchant (Music Director) Mother – Name Not Known (Deceased)
Siblings: Brother – Sulaiman Merchant (Music Director & Composer) Sister – None
Wife: Jeanne Micheal Merchant
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Music (Background Score): Hameshaa (1997) Music (Composer): Ghaath (2000) TV: Indian Idol Season 5 (2010)
Awards, Honours, Achievements: • Star Screen Award for Best Background Score for the film “Bhoot” (2003) • Star Screen Award for Best Background Score for the film “Dhoom” (2004) • Zee Cine Award for Best Background Score for the film “Ab Tak Chhappan” (2005) • IIFA Award for Best Background Score for the film “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi” (2005) • FHM (magazine) Award for Best Dressed Music Composer (2007) • Filmfare Award for Best Background Score for the film “Krrish” (2007) • Syracuse International Film Festival Award for Best Music Director for the film “Fashion” (2008) • Mirchi Music Award for Indie Pop Song of the Year for the song “Cheene Re Mora Chain” (2013)
OTHER INFORMATION
Hobbies: Reading Books, Playing Xbox
Food: Japanese Cuisine, Grilled Fish, Butter Chicken
Actor(s): Hrithik Roshan , Shah Rukh Khan , Farhan Akhtar , Ranveer Singh , Riteish Deshmukh
Actress(es): Keira Knightley, Anushka Sharma , Priyanka Chopra
Film(s): Bollywood – Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) Hollywood – Legends of the Fall (1994), Life is Beautiful (1997)
Musicians: Sukhwinder Singh , Sonu Nigam , Shreya Ghoshal , Rahat Fateh Ali Khan , Shafqat Amanat Ali , Sunidhi Chauhan , Kailash Kher , A. R. Rahman
Book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hossein
Restaurant(s): Kofuku Japanese (Mumbai), Tatami (Mumbai)
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Salim Merchant was born into a well-to-do family in Mumbai, a city that pulsates with life and creativity. His family hails from Mundra in Kutch, Gujarat, where cultural richness permeated their upbringing. Originally carrying the surname ‘Moledina,’ Salim’s uncle made a significant change when he relocated to Australia, adopting the surname ‘Merchant,’ a name that would eventually become synonymous with musical excellence. This connection to music was not merely circumstantial; it was embedded in Salim’s DNA, thanks to his father, Sadruddin Merchant, a respected music director in the Telugu Film Industry. After moving to Mumbai in 1969, Sadruddin transitioned into a manufacturing business for musical instruments, while also leading the Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India. His remarkable talent earned him the affectionate title of the Mohammed Rafi of the Ismaili community, further inspiring Salim’s early fascination with music.
Growing up in a musically enriched environment, Salim’s passion for music blossomed early, nurtured by his father’s legacy. After completing his graduation, he pursued formal training in music at London’s prestigious Trinity College of Music, focusing on mastering the piano. In addition to his piano proficiency, he honed his skills with the harmonium at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Delhi, under the guidance of his music guru, Ustad Sultan Khan. This comprehensive training laid a solid foundation for his burgeoning career, which he embarked upon alongside his brother, Sulaiman. The duo initially made their mark by composing jingles for television commercials, eventually becoming a household name in the Indian music industry as Salim-Sulaiman.
By the mid-1990s, the brothers transitioned to pop music, collaborating with various artists, including Voodoo Rapper, Style Bhai, Shweta Shetty, and Jasmine Bharucha. Their big break came in 1997 when they composed the background score for the film “Hameshaa.” This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, with the duo quickly gaining fame for their work on the background score of the film “Bhoot.” Over the years, Salim and Sulaiman have created memorable music for numerous Bollywood films, including “Ab Tak Chhappan,” “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi,” “Dhoom,” and “Krrish,” solidifying their status as one of the most sought-after music composers in the industry.
In addition to his composition work, Salim Merchant is also a talented singer. In 2014, he lent his voice to the hit song “Ishq Wala Love” from the film ‘Student of The Year,’ further showcasing his versatility. He has made his mark in remixing well-known international tracks, including Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and “Judas,” as well as Enrique Iglesias’s “I’m A Freak.” Notably, he composed the music for the Hollywood film “Sold.” Beyond his creative pursuits, Salim has contributed to nurturing future talent by appearing as a judge on various singing reality shows, including multiple seasons of “Indian Idol” and “The Voice of India.” Among his many compositions, his personal favorite is “Yeh Honsla Kaise Jhuke” from the film ‘Dor,’ a testament to his deep connection with his work. His influence extends to the next generation as well, with his wife opening a music academy for toddlers, teaching aspiring young musicians, including the children of celebrities such as Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar.
Salim and his brother Sulaiman’s creativity has also garnered international recognition, including a nomination for the Daytime Emmy Award for their song ‘We Like Being Small’ from the children’s show “Wonder Pets.” Their collaboration with South African and Kenyan artists for the FIFA World Cup anthem “Africa – You’re A Star” in 2010 made them the only Indians to record the anthem for this grand event. Outside of his musical endeavors, Salim shares his life with two beloved dogs, Cookie and Daisy, showcasing his loving and compassionate nature beyond the realm of music. Through his remarkable journey, Salim Merchant continues to inspire countless individuals, blending tradition with modernity in his quest for artistic excellence.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.