Himesh Reshammiya

Himesh Reshammiya counts among Bollywood’s most ambitious and hard-working multi-hyphenates, paving the way as a style-bending playback singer, music director, producer and actor. Born in 1973 into a musical family in Mumbai, he was a precocious talent who took his first steps in the craft alongside his father, Gujarati music composer Vipin Reshammiya. The family was marked by tragedy when Reshammiya’s older brother died of a brain haemorrhage, something that reinforced the young man’s resolve to make his loved ones proud. He was just 16 when he started working on Gujarati TV shows and he progressed to various projects as music director. His big break came in 1998 when Bollywood powerhouse actor Salman Khan—a fan of Reshammiya’s early work—invited him to contribute music to Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Its success helped the creative risk-taker find his footing as a composer, confidently hopping between soulful Indian melodies and techno bangers on a raft of blockbusters, among them 2000’s Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge—his first full-length Bollywood soundtrack—as well as 2002’s Humraaz, 2003’sTere Naam, 2004’sAitraaz and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya in 2005. Earning him a coveted Filmfare Award, his debut as a playback singer on the title track of 2005’s Aashiq Banaya Aapne proved literally career-changing. His characteristic nasal tone and expressive delivery have since powered countless hits, from the emotive “Tandoori Nights” to the irresistibly danceable “Jhalak Dikhlaja” and “Hookah Bar”. His enduring career as a music and acting dynamo—he made his acclaimed on-screen debut in 2007’s Aap Kaa Surroor—has only made Reshammiya more determined to give back. He passes on his wisdom and work ethos to young talent through his label Himesh Reshammiya Melodies and via his role as a judge in singing competitions such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge.