Anu Malik

Its no hidden fact that Bollywood is popularly well known for its music. Go anywhere in this country, and you will find people listening to Bollywood numbers or dancing on their tunes. One such composer has been a great influence on Bollywood music. His contribution has been great. He is none other than Anu Malik.

Born on 2nd November 1960, he is the son of yesteryear music composer Sardar Malik. He is married to Anju Malik and has composed music for several films till date. Also he has won many awards for his work over the years. Anmol Malik, his daughter is also a singer.

He commenced his career in 1977 for the film 'Hunterwali'. He is well known for composing songs for popular 80s films such as 'Sohni Mahiwal', 'Gangaa Jamuna Saraswathi', 'Mard' and 'Jeete Hain Shaan Se'. Though his work during the period was significant, he couldn't establish a strong base since the industry was taken over by the more established composers.

The decade of the 90s belonged to Malik. It was this time that he actually began to come into notice of the filmmakers as well as the audiences. The 1992 film 'Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee', made him noticeable. After the film, he forged ahead with the early 90s classics such as 'Baazigar', 'Tehelka', 'Jaanam', 'Chamatkaar' and 'Maa'. He won his first Filmfare Award in 1994 for the film 'Khalnayak', where he even defeated the much established Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Throughout the 90s, he composed music for several films. Through the 2000s he composed music for films such as 'Aks', 'Fiza', 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai', 'Asoka' and many many others. The most noteworthy fact to mention about Anu Malik would be that he created many hit tunes in the industry. His versatility as a music director could be seen through several films during his career.

Anu Malik is a music composer, has worked closely with several playback singers in the industry. He has worked with the most popular and well known singers of the 90s and the 2000s. He has worked with Alisha Chinoy, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Anuradha Paudwal, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Abhijeet, KK and Sonu Nigam. Most well known of his collaborations are withAlka Yagnik and the melodious Kumar Sanu for films such as 'Sir', 'Phool Aur Kaante', 'Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee', 'Baazigar', 'Soldier' and 'Vijaypath' to name a few amongst the many.

Another of his collaboration comes with Sonu Nigam. His first song 'Ke Ghar Kab Aaoge' from the 1997 film 'Border' was in collaboration with Anu Malik. Other collaborations with him include songs for the film 'Main Hoon Na', 'Fiza', 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' and 'Refugee' amongst the many. The talented musician has launched his daughter Anmol Malik as a singer in 'Bitiya Na Kijo' song from the film 'Umrao Jaan' in 2006.

Anu Malik has been a judge in many reality shows like 'Indian Idol' ,'Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega' and 'Asian Idol'. Anu Malik is though not a mainstream singer, but has done playback singing for many songs. He is noted to sing his own compositions. Some of the famous songs which he has sung are 'Ek Garam Chaye Ki Pyali' ,'Gori Gori' ,'Meri Jane Jigar' ,'Oonchi Hai Building' ,'East or West India is the Best' and 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen' etc. He has also sung in the chorus for some of his songs.

The music director known for his 'Shayari' is also famous for his private albums like 'Dekho Barish Ho Rahi Hai' ,'Dhua Dhua', 'Tera Chehra'and one English album named 'Eyes'.

There is a very interesting thing about Anu Malik's compositions, his song 'Chamma Chamma' from the film 'China Gate' was used in 'Moulin Rouge' an English film and the song 'Chunari Chunari' from the film 'Biwi No.1' was used in the film 'Monsoon Wedding'. He has reported to complete R.D. Burman's work after the death of the legendary music director for the films like 'Ghatak' and 'Gang'.

The talented music director has been awarded for several times. He has been awarded Filmfare's Best music director award for 3 times. He has got the national film award for best music director for 'Refugee'. He has got the nominations at IIFA awards for 4 times, at Filmfare Awards for 11 times,at Star Screen Awards for 7 times and at Zee Cine awards for 5 times.

Anu Malik , the music director once criticized for his music , has now got his position fixed amongst India's biggest music directors of today.