Vishal Dadlani
Vishal Dadlani is an Indian singer, songwriter, music composer and occasional actor. He is one half of the duo Vishal–Shekhar, and frontman and vocalist of one of India's leading rock bands Pentagram.
As a great singer, he has sung various hit songs for various genres notably Dhoom Again, Kurban Hua, Jee le Zara, Marjaiyann, I feel Good, Jab Mila Tu, Tu Meri, Swag Se Swagat, Bala, Har funn Maula, and Khuda Hafiz. As a vocalist of band Pentagram, notable works are Voice, Tomorrow's Decided, Must I, Love Drug Climbdown and more to go. As a music director, he has composed songs for films such as Om Shanti Om, Anjaana Anjaani, Dostana, I Hate Luv Storys, Bang Bang!, Sultan, Student of the Year, Befikre and War.
Dadlani has been in collaboration with many international artists like Imogen Heap, Diplo, The Vamps and Akon.
Early life
Dadlani was born and raised in a Sindhi Hindu family in Bandra, West Bombay. He went to Hill Grange High School in Pedder Road, Cumbala Hill, South Bombay and subsequently attended Jai Hind College, University of Mumbai for two years, after which he went to H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, HSNC University, both in Churchgate, South Bombay. He graduated in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in commerce.Career
Dadlani's musical journey started in 1994 with the Mumbai-based electronica/indie-rock band Pentagram, which he fronted. Pentagram has gained recognition as one of the pioneers of Indian independent music.While active with the band, he found fame as a Bollywood music composer, singer, and lyricist, with movies like Jhankaar Beats, Bluffmaster!, and Salaam Namaste.
Collaboration with Shekhar
In 1999, Vishal–Shekhar, the Bollywood composing/producing and performing music duo, was formed. Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani have worked together on Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Marathi films. Their notable works include Jhankaar Beats, Dus, Bluffmaster, I See You, Om Shanti Om, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Dostana, Anjaana Anjaani, Ra.One, Student of the Year, Chennai Express, Bang Bang!, Happy New Year, Sultan, and Befikre. The duo has gained nationwide recognition, and today are credited with being amongst the architects of the modern Bollywood sound, having composed music for over 60 films, released over 300 songs, and performed over 1,000 shows worldwide. The two rose to prominence in 2003 when they wrote the score for the film Jhankaar Beats, which included the song "Tu Aashiqui Hai". They won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for their work on the film.Controversies
In the aftermath of the Panama Paper leaks, the names of Dadlani and some of his family members surfaced due to investments they made through his company Sunny Blessing Holding Inc. in the British Virgin Islands. Some of these transactions are currently under investigation by the enforcement directorate.In 2016, he received strong opposition for criticizing the Jain monk Muni Tarun Sagar in a tweet. He was accused of hurting religious sentiments and several First information reports were filed against him, though the monk is said to not have taken the issue seriously. Dadlani later wrote an open letter, saying that the tweets had been his biggest mistake. He was reprimanded and fined by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the tweet.
In 2024, Dadlani again faced criticism following his reaction to an incident at Chandigarh Airport, where actress Kangana Ranaut was assaulted by a Central Industrial Security Force constable. Dadlani publicly praised the constable and offered her a job. Subsequently, singer Sona Mohapatra criticized Dadlani in response to a tweet that referred to him as a "rare gem of Bollywood" for his actions. Mohapatra questioned his integrity, citing his association with Anu Malik, who had been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women in 2018.
Playback singer
Dadlani got his first break as a playback singer for other music directors when Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy asked him to sing "Kiss Of Love" for the movie Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. His first released track was "Dhoom Again" for Dhoom 2 by music director Pritam, as asked by Aditya Chopra.Partial list of films Dadlani has recorded vocals for:Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri Shyam Singha Roy DNA mein Dance Kareeb Har Funn Maula Khuda Hafiz Solo Brathuke So Better Khaali Peeli Bunty Aur Babli 2 Angrezi Medium Baaghi 3 Lage Raho Kejriwal Housefull 4 Made in China Saand Ki Aankh War Four Weddings and a Funeral Student of the Year 2 Malal Thugs of Hindostan Open Tuborg Namaste England Bogda Mulk Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare Naa Peru Surya Gold Kaalakaandi One Tiger Zinda Hai Chef A Gentleman Befikre Banjo Udta PunjabSultan Sarrainodu Miruthan ABCD 2 Bajirao Mastani Vedalam Romeo Juliet Kaaki Sattai Ungli Bang Bang! Happy New Year Hasee Toh Phasee Kaththi Vanakkam Chennai Chennai Express Gippi Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Akaash Vani Race 2 Student of the Year Talaash Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum Shanghai Vicky Donor Ishaqzaade Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu Don 2 Ladies vs Ricky Bahl Ra.One Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap Pyar Ka Punchnama Game Patiala House No One Killed Jessica Tees Maar Khan Break Ke Baad Knock Out Anjaana Anjaani We Are Family I Hate Luv Storys Kites Paathshaala Hum Tum Aur Ghost Pyaar Impossible Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year Kurbaan Aladin London Dreams Kaminey 8 x 10 Tasveer Dostana Bachna Ae Haseeno Krazzy 4 Tashan Taare Zameen Par Cash Ta Ra Rum Pum Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. I See You Dhoom 2 Golmaal Taxi Number 9211 Bluffmaster Ek Ajnabee Karam Shabd Popcorn Khao! Mast Ho Jao
- ''Jhankaar Beats''
Lyrics by Vishal Dadlani
Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi – "Musu Musu Hasi", "Woh Naujawan Hai", "Lakhon Deewane", "Pehli Baar" Along with Raj Kaushal Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II - "Allah ke Bande" Jhankaar Beats – All songs Popcorn Khao! Mast Ho Jao – All songs Karam – "Tinka Tinka" Bluffmaster! – Ek Ajnabee – "Ek Ajnabi " I See You - All songs Golmaal – Aage Peeche Cash – All songs except for "Reham Kare" Om Shanti Om - "Ajab Si" Dostana – "Kuch Kum" Aladin – All songs except for "Bachke O Bachke" I Hate Luv Storys – "Bin Tere", "Bin Tere ", "Jab Mila Tu" Anjaana Anjaani – "Hairat,"I Feel Good", "Tujhe Bhula Diya", "Aas Pas Khuda" & "Aas Pas Khuda " Tees Maar Khan – "Sheila Ki Jawani" Ra.One - "Chamak Chalo", "Raftarein" Kahaani – "Ami Shotti Bolchi," Kahaani, Kahaani Shanghai – - "Imported Kamariya" Gippi – Along with Anvita Dutt Bang Bang! – Tu Meri", "Bang Bang" Banjo – "Banjo Party" Along with Ravi Jadhav Sultan – "Tuk Tuk Rap" Tiger Zinda Hai – "Swag Se Swagat Rap"War – "Khalid's theme English Rap" Bob Biswas - "Tu Toh Gaya Re" Jayeshbhai Jordaar - "Firecracker " along with Vayu and Kumaar Pathaan - "Besharam Rang" along with Kumaar The Ba***ds of Bollywood - "Who's Your Daddy" along with Akshat VermaDiscography
PentagramWe're Not Listening Up It's OK, It's All Good- ''Bloodywood''
Filmography
Om Shanti Om as a director Tees Maar Khan as a director in the song "Sheila Ki Jawani"Happy New Year as a JudgeAwards and nominations
The following is a list of awards and nominations received by Vishal Dadlani alone. A list of awards and nominations received by Vishal–Shekhar can be seen here.Filmfare Awards
| Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
| 2008 | Best Lyricist | "Ankhon Mein Teri" | rowspan=5 Nomitated | |
| 2010 | Best Male Playback Singer | "Dhan Te Nan" | - | |
| 2011 | Best Lyricist | "Bin Tere" | - | |
| 2012 | Best Lyricist | "Chammak Challo" | - | |
| 2012 | Best Male Playback Singer | "Chammak Challo" | - |
Global Indian Music Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
| 2011 | Best lyricist | "Tujhe Bhula Diya" | rowspan=3 Nomitated | |
| 2013 | Best Duet | "Radha" | - | |
| 2014 | Best Duet | "Balam Pichkari" | - |
International Indian Film Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
| 2010 | Best Male Playback Singer | "Dhan Te Nan" | rowspan=2 Nomitated | |
| 2011 | Best Male Playback Singer | "Adhoore" | - | |
| 2011 | - | - | - | - |