Vishal-Shekhar

Vishal-Shekhar, the composer duo of Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, are pivotal figures in 21st-century Indian film music, credited with modernizing the Bollywood soundscape. Emerging prominently in the early 2000s, they broke from the prevailing orchestral and melody-dominant style by infusing their compositions with contemporary global genres like electronica, rock, funk, and hip-hop, while retaining strong melodic cores. Their career-defining work began with films like 'Jhankaar Beats' (2003) and 'Dus' (2005), where tracks like 'Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe' and the title track 'Dus Bahane' showcased their energetic, youth-centric sound. A major breakthrough was 'Om Shanti Om' (2007), where their soundtrack, blending retro disco with modern pop, became a cultural phenomenon. They demonstrated remarkable versatility with the rustic, folk-inspired score for 'Ishqiya' (2010) and the sophisticated, jazz-tinged music for 'Band Baaja Baaraat' (2010). Their collaboration with director Siddharth Anand, especially on 'War' (2019) with the massive hit 'Ghungroo', and their long-standing partnership with Shah Rukh Khan on films like 'Chennai Express' (2013) and 'Fan' (2016), solidified their status as A-list composers. Their contribution extends beyond film; they have been instrumental in the rise of the Indian indie scene, with Vishal co-founding the band Pentagram and both serving as judges on reality shows, nurturing new talent. They pioneered the integration of sound design and background score as a narrative force in commercial cinema, moving beyond mere song placement. By consistently delivering chart-topping, genre-defying music for over two decades, Vishal-Shekhar redefined the sonic identity of mainstream Hindi cinema, making it more cosmopolitan, rhythm-driven, and aligned with international pop trends while servicing diverse cinematic narratives.