Salim Merchant

Some Lesser Known Facts About Salim Merchant

• Does Salim Merchant drink alcohol?: Yes

• Salim Merchant was born into a well to do family in Mumbai.

  

• His family has its roots in Mundra, Kutch, Gujarat.

• Salim’s surname was earlier ‘Moledina,’ but his uncle changed it to ‘Merchant’ when he moved to Australia.

• His father, Sadruddin Merchant, was a music director and a veteran of the Telugu Film Industry, who moved to Mumbai in 1969 and started a manufacturing business of the musical instruments.

  

• His father used to lead the Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India and was fondly called the Mohammed Rafi of the Ismaili community.

• Being born to a musician father, Salim developed an interest in music at an early age.

• After completing his graduation, Salim went to London’s Trinity College of Music to master the piano.

• He has learnt the Harmonium from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi.

• His music guru was Ustad Sultan Khan.

• Salim started his music career along with his brother Sulaiman by composing ‘jingles’ for television commercials.

• The duo composes music together and are popularly known as Salim-Sulaiman.

  

• In the mid-1990s he shifted to pop music and worked with musicians like Voodoo Rapper, Style Bhai, Shweta Shetty, and Jasmine Bharucha.

• In 1997, he, along with his brother, received his first Bollywood project of composing the ‘Background Score’ in the film “Hameshaa.”

• Subsequently, he gave the music composition in the film “Ghaath.” The duo shot to fame after giving the background score for the film “Bhoot.”

• He has composed the music and background scores of Bollywood films like “Ab Tak Chhappan” (2004), “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi” (2004), “Dhoom” (2004), “Neal ‘N’ Nikki” (2005), “Kaal” (2005), “Krrish” (2006), and “Fashion” (2008).

  

• Apart from being a music composer, Salim is also a good singer. In 2014, he lent his voice for the song “Ishq Wala Love” from the film ‘Student of The Year.’ The song was a huge hit.

• Salim has also created the Bollywood remix of Lady Gaga’s songs “Born This Way” and “Judas.” He has worked on Enrique’s song “I’m A Freak.” Salim has also composed the music for the Hollywood film “Sold.”

• Salim has appeared as a judge in many singing reality shows including “Indian Idol Season 5,” “Indian Idol Season 6,” “Indian Idol Junior,” and “The Voice of India Season 2.”

  

• From the list of all his compositions, his favourite composition is “Yeh Honsla Kaise Jhuke” from the film ‘Dor.’

• In 2013, his wife opened up a music academy for the toddlers. She has taught music to many celebrity kids like Hrithik Roshan‘s son Hrehaan, Farhan Akhtar’s daughter Akira, Ronit Roy’s daughter Aador.

• In 2009, Salim and his brother, Sulaiman got nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award (an American accolade) for their song ‘We Like Being Small’ from the show ‘Wonder Pets.’

• In 2010, Salim-Sulaiman collaborated with the South African singer, Loyiso Bala and Kenyan singer, Eric Wainaina to record the FIFA World Cup anthem song “Africa – You’re A Star.” Till date (2019) they are the only Indians to have recorded the anthem for the FIFA World Cup.

• Salim is fond of dogs and owns two pet dogs, Cookie and Daisy.