Sonu Nigam

Background information

Born July - 30, 1973 (1973-07-30)(age-35) Faridabad, Haryana, India

Genre(s) - Pop, playback singing

Occupation(s) - Singer, Actor, Music Director,

Television presenter, Radio Jockey

Instrument(s) - Vocals

Years active - 1985 – present

Website - sonuniigaam.in

Sonu Nigam or Sonu Niigaam (Hindi: सोनु निगम; born July 30, 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India)[1] is a highly acclaimed Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Bollywood and Kannada movies. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films. He has changed the spelling of his last name from 'Nigam' to 'Niigaam' in accordance with numerology



Early years and playback singing
Sonu Nigam began his singing career at the age of three, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammad Rafi's "Kya Hua Tera Wada". Then on, he accompanied his father on his singing assignments at weddings and parties. In his teenage years, he participated in several music competitions successfully. He moved to Mumbai with his father to begin his Bollywood singing career at the age of 19.[3]
His initial years in Mumbai proved to be a struggle, and he started by singing covers of Mohammad Rafi songs, mainly for the "Rafi Ki Yaadein" album series. These albums contributed to his label for some time as a "Rafi clone." His first movie song as a playback singer was in the movie, "Janum" (1990), which was never officially released. He got a break as a playback singer in Gulshan Kumar's movie, "Aaja Meri Jaan". He then sang the song, "Accha Sila Diya", for the album, "Bewafa Sanam" (1995), which gave him the recognition as an established playback singer.[3]
Sonu started hosting "Sa Re Ga Ma," a television singing talent competition, which soon became one of the most popular shows on Indian television. The first episode of "Sa Re Ga Ma" was aired on May 1, 1995. Singing offers poured in thereafter, though slowly at first. He rose to fame with the song, "Sandese Aate Hain", in Border (1997). Anu Malik was the music director of this movie. Sonu's image as a Rafi clone changed after his rendition of the Nadeem-Shravan composed song, "Yeh Dil Deewana" in Pardes (1997). Since then, he has created a unique style of his own, and has become a role model for budding male singers in India.[3]
Over the years, Sonu has become a major force in the Indian music industry. He has provided playback singing for a large number of Hindi movies and won many awards. His rendition of Kal Ho Na Ho has been highly popular. He is recognised for his versatile voice as well as excellent emotion range. Sonu has sung with clear pronunciations, in many languages besides Hindi, including Bengali, Oriya, Kannada, Punjabi,Tamil, Telugu, English, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Nepali and Marathi.[3]
His 2008 playback songs include songs from Yuvvraaj and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, in which he sings a song paying tribute to yesteryear Bollywood actors like Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand and Rishi Kapoor. The song is picturised on Shahrukh Khan and the music direction is by Salim-Sulaiman.

Pop albums and concerts
Sonu has released a number of pop albums, both in Hindi and in Punjabi, to his name. The very recent addition to this list is "Classically Mild".[4] He has also released several albums of Mohammad Rafi's songs, as well as devotional albums. Of recent releases, in September 2007, he released a 6-disc collection of Mohammad Rafi's 100 best songs in the latter's memory.[5] The collection is titled "Kal, Aaj, Aur Kal". In 2008, soon after releasing "Classically Mild", he released a single Punjabi track called "Punjabi Please",[6] and "Rafi Resurrected", a 2-disc collection of Mohammad Rafi songs with music by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Over the years. Sonu has given concert performances in many countries, including United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, West Indies, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa. In May/June 2007, he participated in a star-studded show in North America called "The Incredibles" in which famed Asha Bhonsle and recent singing sensations, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher, participated. In September and October, respectively, of the same year, he gave solo concerts titled, "Simply Sonu", in Canada and Germany, (becoming the first Indian singer to perform in the latter country).[7] In April 2008, he did a marathon of concerts in various cities in India, promoting his Punjabi single "Punjabi Please".[8]
In November 2007, at the inauguration of Harvard University's 28th president, Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, Sonu sang with the Harvard College Sangeet the late Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan, " Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye".[9]
In July 2008, he participated in a three-city tour of the United Kingdom, singing numerous famous Mohammad Rafi songs with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.[10] This followed the release of these songs by the CBSO and the Indian music company Sa Re Ga Ma in a historic album entitled "Rafi Resurrected".[11]

Television, radio and acting
Besides "Sa Re Ga Ma," Sonu Nigam has also hosted the TV show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum and has been a judge on the show Indian Idol (aired on Sony Entertainment Television) seasons 1 and 2. Sonu has returned to Indian Idol in its third and fourth seasons as a celebrity judge. He was also a celebrity judge on Amul Star Voice of India in August 2007 in season 1 and in December 2008 in season 2. In October 2007, Sonu came back to the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in a historical moment of sorts, this time as a judge (along with Suresh Wadkar) on the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International.[12]
In 2006, Sonu also hosted his own radio show called 'Life Ki Dhun With Sonu Niigaam' on Radiocity 91 FM, where he had the opportunity to interview several music industry greats, including the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.[13]
Sonu's acting career[14] started as a child artist in a number of films including 1983s Betaab. As an adult, Sonu has acted in a few more films namely Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani alongside Sunny Deol, Manisha Koirala and Akshay Kumar as well as other actors; Kash Aap Hamare Hote where he plays the lead opposite Juhi Babbar, daughter of Raj Babbar; and lastly Love in Nepal with 'Flora Saini' and 'Sweta Keswani', where he plays the lead again. However it is to be said that all three films have not done well at the box-office. although his acting was much better appreciated in his last venture. He has not taken up acting since his last venture Love in Nepal, but has recently been said to be involved in another film as a lead actor. The film, called 'Ankhon Ankhon Mein' is supposedly about a blind singer.

Future projects
His future projects include an English album called "Spirit Unfolding".[15] He may be acting in a new film called Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein, about a blind singer, although he has not officially signed it yet.[16] He is also doing playback singing for a number of upcoming films, including Chandan Arora's Striker, Yaariyan, Run Mein Fun and Three Idiots starring Aamir Khan, with Shantanu Moitra as music director.He is also singing for the film Blue with international artist Kylie Minogue with Oscar winner A.R.Rahman as music director.
In a recent interview, he confirmed that he is working on a new Kannada album and is thinking about a project on Manna Dey. He also revealed that there are plans for the Rafi Resurrected concerts to happen in the rest of Europe, the United States and India soon.[17]

Personal life And Voluntary Work
Sonu was born to Mr Agam Kumar Nigam and Mrs Shobha Nigam on July 30, 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India. He attended the J.D. Tytler School. He has two sisters, Meenal and Neekita. Sonu is very close to his parents. Both his father and mother are good singers, and in 2005 and 2007 his father released two highly popular albums, "Bewafaai" and "Phir Bewafaai", respectively. Neekita is also a singer. She has sung a few playback songs and appeared on a few stage shows with Sonu. Sonu married Madhurima on 15 February 2002.[18] They have a son, Nevaan, born on July 25, 2007.[19]
He is very much into fitness and yoga exercises, and has even trained in taekwondo.[1] He claims to be spiritual rather than religious.[20] He used to be keen at his studies in his younger age and enjoys reading. He also enjoys mimicry and commonly mimics other singers in Bollywood.
Sonu has done various charity work all over India as well as abroad for Dignity Foundation, Cancer organizations, Leprosy organizations, Blindness organizations, Womens welfare organizations, Kargil war affected families, Earthquake affected families. He also sponsors a child from the organization “Crayon”.[1]

Awards
2008, 15th Lion Gold Awards 2008, Best Male Singer for the song In lamhon ke daaman from the film Jodha Akbar.
2008, Indian Television Academy Award, Best Male Singer for Amber Dhara.[21]
2008, Filmfare Awards South, Best Singer (Male) for Ninindale, from the Kannada movie Milana[22]
2008, GPBA (German Public Bollywood Award), Best Singer (Male) for Mein Agar Kahoon, Om Shanti Om[23]
2007, Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Mein Agar Kahoon, Om Shanti Om[24]
2007, Bollywood Music Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Title Track.[25]
2006, Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song "Dheere Jalna", from the film "Paheli"
2005, Swaralaya Yesudas Award, for his outstanding performance in Music.[26]
2005, MTV Immies - Best Pop Album, for his self-composed album titled "Chanda Ki Doli".[27]
2005, Indian Television Award Best Singer for Miliee Title Track.[28]
2005, Anadolok Award for "Chanda Ki Doli" album.[28]
2005, Lion Gold's Award for the song Main Hoon Na from the film "Main Hoon Na"[28]
2005, Teachers' Achievement Award[29]
2005, Most Stylish People In Music, MTV Style Awards.[30]
2004, MTV Immies - Best Male Singer, for the song "Main Hoon Na", from the film "Main Hoon Na"[31]
2004, National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2004, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2004, Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Na Ho" from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho[25]
2004, Apsara Film Producers' Guild Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Na Ho" from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho[28]
2003, Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho".
2003, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Saathiya", from the film "Saathiya"
2003, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Saathiya", from the film "Saathiya"
2003, MTV Immies - Best Male Singer, for the song "Saathiya" from the film "Saathiya".[32]
2003, Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Saathiya" from the film "Saathiya"[25]
2003, Most Stylish People In Music, MTV Style Awards[33]
2002, Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Saathiya", from the film Saathiya.
2002, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Suraj Hua Maddham", from the film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"
2002, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Suraj Hua Maddham", from the film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"
2002, Bollywood Music Award for Best Pop Singer for the album "Yaad"[25]
2002, Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Singer for the song "Tanhayee" from the film "Dil Chahta Hai"[25]
2001, Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song "Tanhayee", from the film "Dil Chahta Hai"
1998, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"
1998, Star Screen Award for Best Male Pop Artist.
1997, Aashirwad Award for Best Male Singer for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"[28]
1997, Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"[28]

Memorable hits
Song
Film
Year
Accha Sila Diya
Bewafa Sanam
1994
Yeh Dil Deewana
Pardes
1997
Sandese Aate Hain
Border
1997
Satrangi Re
Dil Se
1998
Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye
Sarfarosh
1999
Ishq Bina
Taal
1999
Ban Ke Tera Jogi
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
2000
Tanhayee
Dil Chahta Hai
2001
You Are My Sonia
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
2001
Is pyar ko main
Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai
2001
Saathiya
Saathiya
2002
Mera rang de Basanti
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
2002
Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
2002
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Kal Ho Na Ho
2003
Ghum Shuda
Chalte Chalte
2003
Main Hoon Na
Main Hoon Naa
2004
Tumse Milke Dil Ka
Main Hoon Naa
2004
Do Pal
Veer Zaara
2004
Sun Zara
Lucky: No Time for Love
2005
Piyu Bole
Parineeta
2005
Soona Man Ka Aangan
Parineeta
2005
Just Chill
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
2005
Dheere Jalna
Paheli
2005
No Entry (Ishq Di Gali Vich)
No Entry
2005
Mere Haath Mein
Fanaa
2006
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
2006
Koi Tumsa Nahin
Krrish
2006
Pal Pal Har Pal
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
2006
Humko Maloom Hai
Jaan-E-Mann
2006
Ajnabi Shehar
Jaan-E-Mann
2006
Sau Dard Hain
Jaan-E-Mann
2006
Anisuthide Yaako Indu
Mungaru Male
2006
Mungaru Maleye
Mungaru Male
2006
Ninnindale Ninnindale
Milana
2007
Salaam-E-Ishq
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love
2007
Tenu Leke
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love
2007
Ishq Hua
Aaja Nachle
2007
Is Pal
Aaja Nachle
2007
Nagaada Nagaada
Jab We Met
2007
Main Agar Kahoon
Om Shanti Om
2007
In lamhon ke daaman
Jodhaa Akbar
2008
Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
2008

Albums
Below are his mainstream Hindi releases. He has also released several devotional Hindu albums including "Tere Dar Se Muradein Paeinge" (1999), "Sanskar" (2004), "Maa Ka Dil" (2006) and "Pyari Maa" (2008), and more recently "Maha Ganesha" (August 2008).[34] He released some Muslim devotional albums including "Mohammad ke dar par chala ja sawali" (1993, re-released 2007) and Ramzan ki Azmat (originally sang by Mohammad Rafi and others). He has a some Punjabi albums to his name, including "Kurie Mili Hai Kamaal (2003), rereleased as "Pyar" in 2007, in which year he also released "Colours of Love". He has covered the songs of famous Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas in an album entitled "Best of Pankaj Udas". He has also sang a song each in Sapna Mukherjee's album "Mere Piya" and the remix album "Kajra Nite" in 2006, where he sang the title song with Alisha Chinai and featured in the video with Diya Mirza.
Album title
Year
Rafi Ki Yaadein Vol 10-20
1993-1995
Shradhanjali to Mohd Rafi
1995
Sapne Ki Baat
1997
Kismat
1998
Mausam
1999
Pariyon se
1999
Deewana
1999
Jaan
2000
Yaad
2001
Chanda Ki Doli
2005
Classically Mild
2008
Kal Aaj Aur Kal
2008
Punjabi Please
2008
Rafi Resurrected
2008

Filmography
Film Title
Character
Year
Pyaara Dushman
Tika Singh (credited as Master Sonu)
1980
Kaamchor
Sonu (Rakesh Roshan's nephew), (credited as Master Sonu)
1982
Ustaadi Ustaad Ke
Raju (Young Mithun Chakraborty), (credited as Master Sonu)
1982
Betaab
Sunny (Young Sunny Deol), (credited as Master Sonu)
1983
Hum se hai zamana
Shiva (Young Mithun Chakraborty), (credited as Master Sonu)
1983
Taqdeer
Shiva (Young Shatrughan Sinha), (credited as Master Sonu)
1983
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani
Vivek Saxena
2002
Kaash..Aap Hamare Hote
Jai Kumar
2003
Love In Nepal
Abby
2004
Navra Maajha Navsacha (Marathi)
Himself
2005

Himesh Reshamiya

Birth name
Himesh Reshammiya
Born
July 23, 1973 (1973-07-23) (age 35)Bhavnagar, India
Origin
Gujarati,Indian
Genre(s)
Indian- Heavy Rock
Occupation(s)
Music Director, Singer, Actor,T.V Producer
Instrument(s)
Guitar and Drums
Voice type(s)
High Pitch Nasal

Early life
Himesh Reshammiya is the son of Gujarati music director Vipin Reshammiya and his wife, Madhu Reshammiya. Himesh lost his elder brother at the age of 11,[3] and decided to take up music as his career after the incident, to fulfill his father's wishes. He did his schooling at Hill Grange School in Padder Road area, Mumbai. Himesh started his career with a production house which aired quite a few TV soaps on Doordarshan Ahmedabad and Zee TV at the age of mere 16.
Himesh Reshammiya avoided speaking about his personal life in media until July 2007, when in the talk show "Koffee with Karan", he revealed that he is married to Komal Reshammiya , and they have a 10 year old son named Swayam Reshammiya.[4]
In October 2006, Himesh Reshammiya became the first Indian to perform at the Wembley Stadium in London.[5]
In one of the instance he was the chosen one, after A R Rahman could not provide dates to score the music of a Film. The Film was Dashavtaram starring South Superstar Kamal Hassan.
In December 2008 Himesh Reshammiya became the first Indian to perform at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center in (Hong Kong).

Acting
Himesh Reshammiya scored the music and made his acting debut in Aap Kaa Suroor The Movie:The Real Love Story, which released on June 29, 2007 and had an 80% box office opening. The film proved to be a hit. Himesh's movie Karzzzz with actor Urmila Matondkar was mediocre at the box office. His hopes are now pinned on John Mathew Mathan's A New Love Iiiishtory which if industry buzz is to be believed, has a fantastic story line written by none other than Vipul K Rawal of IQBAL fame.

Television
Himesh Reshammiya is also actively involved in mentoring and judging the popular singing competition on Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge. His group is called "Rock" gharana. His slogan for this show is "Jai Mata Di Let's Rock." Himesh was the winning mentor of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007, the winner being Aneek Dhar from Kolkata. Himesh also excelled in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009, as Vaishali Made, a female contestant from his "Rock" gharana, won the competition.
Himesh Reshammiya also composed the title song for a serial named "Andaaz" starring Sudesh Berry in the title role on Doordarshan. The song was sung by Kumar Sanu.

Criticism and controversies
In spite of his popularity, Himesh Reshammiya has been the target of criticism. In the past, his critics had suggested that success has gone to his head, and that he had signed on films indiscriminately.[6] His nasal twang has been criticized by many. Himesh Reshammiya initially defended himself saying that his voice is not nasal, but "high-pitched singing". Later, in an interview with The Times of India, he said "I accept I'm a nasal singer."[7]
In his debut film as an actor, Aap Kaa Suroor The Movie:The Real Love Story, Himesh Reshammiya added a song Tanhaiyaan from Boney Kapoor's proposed film Milenge Milenge.[8] Initially,Himesh Reshammiya had composed the song for Kapoor's film but later decided to use it for his own movie. Tips, which held the audio rights of Milenge Milenge, accused Reshammiya of copyright violation, as audio rights for Aap Kaa Suroor The Movie:The Real Love Story were acquired by T-Series.[9] However, Himesh Reshammiya defended himself saying that he had made Kapoor listen to the song, but it wasn't included in Milenge Milenge. He also claimed to have tried to get in touch with Kapoor for seven months, and since there was no progress on the film, he decided to use the song for his own movie.[10] In June 2007, they reconciled their differences after Himesh Reshammiya apologized.[11]
In November 2006, Himesh Reshammiya remarked that Mukesh, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and R D Burman had a nasal style of singing. He also claimed that he had thirty-six hits in a year, and none of the above mentioned artists "ever gave the same number of hits in a year".[6] He said this in response to allegations that all his songs are nasal-based. The remark invited the wrath of late R D Burman's wife, Asha Bhosle. Later, Himesh Reshammiya clarified that his intention was not to insult R D Burman and apologized several times to Asha Bhosle.[12].
In November 2006, Himesh Reshammiya and his co-artists were questioned by the Income Tax department about their income from a concert in Surat. The organizer of the show, Nanu Ghaswalla, claimed that the IT officials were upset because they had been denied free passes for the show.[13]
On June 27, 2007, Himesh Reshammiya visited the shrine of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, disguised in a burqa, reportedly to avoid crowd of fans. Some people objected to this, and some even felt that it was a publicity stunt for his forthcoming film.[14] Later, Himesh Reshammiya issued an apology for "offending religious sentiments", which was accepted by the Anjuman Committee that runs the shrine.[15] The Khadims (servers) of the Anjuman Committee said that he had not committed any offence, and there was no need for an apology.[16]

Awards & Nominations
Himesh Reshammiya won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for "Aashiq Banaya Aapne". This was his first song and the most successful song in the year 2005. He also received several nominations for his music direction.

Selected songs
Aashiq Banaya Aapne
Tandoori Nights
Tera Mera Milna
Mukunda Mukunda
Jhalak Dikhlaja
Dhoom Tere Ishq Kie
Tera Suroor
Tanhaiyaan
Naam Hai Tera
Zara Jhoom Jhoom
Odhni
Afreen Tera Chehra
Tadap
Tanha Tanha Raat Mein
Chakna chakna
Oh oh sanam
Ulaga Nayagana
Tere bin chain na aave"
Ek Hasina Thi
Kola Laka Vellari
Lut Jaaon Lut Jaaon
Aashiq Banaya Aapne (Remix)
Hari Om
Afsana Bana Ke Bhool Na Janaa
Tere Naam
Jhalak Dikhlaja (Remix)
Mujhe Bhool Na Jaana (new from kajrare)

Filmography As an actor
Aashiq Banaya Aapne as Himesh Reshammiya.....Special Appearance For Promotion of the film
Tom Dick And Harry(May 12, 2006) as Himesh Reshammiya.....Special Appearance For Promotion of the film
Aap Kaa Surroor - The real Love Story (June 29, 2007) as Himesh Reshammiya/HR
Karzzzz - (2008) as Monty Oberoi
Kajraare - (2009)
Ye Hai Himesh Bhai - (2010)
A New Love Iiissshhtory (2009)as Sukku

As a Background music composer
Kurukshetra (2000)
Taarzan - The Wonder Car
Tere Naam

As music director
Bandhan (1998) *Co-composed with Anand Raj Anand
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)*Title Track only
Hello Brother (1999)*Co-composed with Sajid-Wajid
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)
Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000)
Kurukshetra (2000)*Co-composed with Sukwinder Singh
Aamdani Aatthanni Kharcha Rupaiya (2001)
Jodi No. 1 (2001)
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye (2002)
Humraaz (2002)
Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002)
Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002)
Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003)
Footpath (2003)*Co-composed with Nadeem-Shravan
Tere Naam (2003)*Co-composed with Sajid - Wajid
Zameen (2003)
Aabra Ka Daabra (2004)
Aitraaz (2004)
Bardaasht (2004)
Dil Maange More (2004)
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004)
Ishq Hai Tumse (2004)
Run (2004)
Shukriya (2004)*Co-composed with Vishal-Shekhar
Taarzan - The Wonder Car (2004)
Tum (2004)
Julie (2004)
Vaada (2004)
Anjaane (2005)
Blackmail (2005)
Insan (2005)
Koi Aap Sa (2005)
Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaaye (2005)
Kyon Ki (2005)
Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005)
Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya (2005)
Nigehbaan - The Third Eye (2005)
Silsiilay (2005)
Vaah Life Ho Toh Aisi (2005)
Yakeen (2005)
Shaadi Se Pehle (2006)
My name is Anthony Gonsalves (2007)*one song only (Tum Mile) as a guest composer
Tere Sang (2008)
Aashiq Banaya Aapne (2005)*Co-composed with Kanchan
Aksar (2006)
Tom, Dick And Harry (2006)
Banaras - A Mystic Love Story (2006)
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)*one song only
36 China Town (2006)
Phir Hera Pheri (2006)
Chup Chup Ke (2006)
Ahista Ahista (2006)
Anthony Kaun Hai (2006)
Rocky - The Rebel (2006)
Dil De Diya (2006)
Aap Ki Khatir (2006)
Red - The Dark Side (2007)
Namaste, London (2007)
Nehlle pe Dehlla (2007)*one song only
Shakalaka Boom Boom (2007)
Good Boy Bad Boy (2007)
Fool & Final (2007)
Apne (2007)
Darling (2007)*one song only
Fear (2007)
Nanhe Jaisalmer (2007)
Welcome (2007)** two songs only: Co-composed with Sajid-Wajid &
Anand Raj Anand*latest release
Milenge Milenge (2009)

South films as a Music Director
Bommalattam (2008)
Kalidas (2007) (5 songs)
Dasavatharam (2008)

Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam (Urdu: عاطف اسلم, born March 12, 1983) is a Pakistani pop singer. He was born in Wazirabad and educated in Lahore and Rawalpindi. He is well-known in the subcontinent and with ex-pats for Pakistani hit song's such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, and Meri Kahani, and Bollywood hit's Doorie, Pehli Nazar Mein (which is a copy of song "06. Sarang-hae-yo" from the soundtrack of Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang) and Tere Bin. He is the former lead singer of Jal.
Contents


Early life
Atif's kindergarten started in Model town Lahore at Kimberley Hall School. His first stage manifestation was in a fancy dress show at his school when he was in 1st grade, where he performed as Imran Khan 'Captain of the Pakistani Cricket Team'. Since then cricket was a passion for him. At that time he did not listen to any particular kind of songs.
At the age of 9, he moved to Norway where he studied at Saint Paul's School. Atif came back to Lahore in 1995 where he continued his studies in Divisional Public School (DPS), Model Town, Lahore. He was selected in his school cricket team as a bowler. Atif cleared his 10th grade in 14 years of age with a distinctive edge that he has always been the youngest boy in the class because of his double promotions while he was in Kimberley Hall. During this period he was putting his best efforts into becoming a professional cricketer.[citation needed]He passed out of DPS after completing his school ending matriculation exams. He further continued his education from Fazaia Inter College, Lahore where he completed his ICS with the class of 2001. He also had a brief stint by painting guests visiting the 5-star Pearl Continental Hotel in Bhurban.

Music career

Jal
One day he was singing to his guy friends at the college canteen. His friends urged him to participate in the singing competition on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore and Sargodha in 1998. He performed there and won the competition.
His hobby of singing continued with him entering the singing competition of his college. There were a total of 3 participants. The media team entered Atif's name in the competition at the eleventh hour. He won the competition by singing the hit number Duur of Strings. He kept on winning these competitions every semester until he announced that he will no longer participate in them so that someone else can also win the competition.
He met Goher, a guitarist and future Jal bandmate, at his college. Together they practised and started doing mini-concerts for their friends whether they wanted to hear them play or not. Atif used to perform Junoon and Strings songs at these concerts. They started performing in their college, McDonalds, Uncle Bubba's Rabba Dabba and other restaurants. Thus began the original line up of Jal.
Jal recorded the song Aadat at Mekal Hassan's Studio. The song became popular on different musical websites such as Pakmanzil.com in Pakistan. The song was also being on aired on major Radio channels of Pakistan like City FM 89, FM 100, Mast FM 103, FM 105 etc. The video for this song was released on Ary The Music and then it was played on almost all the channels.

Controversy
After the release of the song "Aadat" by Jal, there were disputes within the band about Atif's brother being the band's manager. At this point Atif broke off from the band to do his own solo album. His solo album was released a few weeks before the release of the new Jal's (Goher Mumtaz, Farhan Saeed, Shazi) "Aadat". As both Jal's "Aadat", and Atif’s album, Jalpari, shared certain tracks (such as "Aadat", "Wo Lamhey", "Rangon Mein" and "Dil Harey"), an unofficial war over rights began between both the groups. Goher Mumtaz sued Atif Aslam for using the name "Jal" in his album title cunningly (Jal pari, meaning mermaid). As the copyright law in Pakistan is quite ambiguous (people can change the name of the content and use the content labelling it as their own property).
The hype this feud gave to both Atif and the new Jal was extraordinary and split music fans with the fans of each side backing their respective favourite. On the other hand, a few years back a video on youtube was released by Pakmanzil.com with Atif Aslam giving a message to Goher Mumtaz to leave the differences behind and move on with his career and stop blaming each other fovoices.

Solo career
Atif released his first album Jal Pari on 18 July 2004 by Sound Master and IC records. Its promoters declared it to be the best selling album of the year within just 5 months of the release.[1]. In the meantime Atif also cleared his Bachelors in Computer Science (Hons.) from University of Central Punjab. On 14 April 2007 Atif Aslam performed in Royal Albert Hall. His second album, Doorie was released on 22 December 2006.
On 8 January 2008, Atif Aslam released his third album, Meri Kahani.
On 17 July 2008 Atif Aslam was the second singer to perform in Colosseum in Rome, Italy after the peace concert held on 12 May 2002.

Discography

Albums
Album Information
Jal Pari
Released: July 2004
Label: Sound Master and IC Records
Singles: Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Jalpari, Gal sun ja, Mahi ve, Zindagi
Doorie
Released: December 2006
Label: Tips
Singles: Kuch is tarha, Doorie, Mahiya ve soniya, O Re Piya, Maula
Meri Kahani
Released: January 2008
Label: Tips , Fire Records
Singles: Meri Kahani, Humrahi, Hungami Halaat, Rabba Sacheya, Joug