Mahalakshmi Iyer
Mahalakshmi Iyer is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi, Assamese and Tamil songs. She has sung in many other Indian languages as well, including Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati and Kannada.
Career
Playback singing
Mahalakshmi made her playback debut with the film Dus in 1997, but the film never completed and released due to the sudden passing of the film's director. The album however was released in 1999 as a tribute. She sang the track Ae Ajnabee with Udit Narayan for A. R. Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se.. which was her first release as a playback singer and considered to be her debut. Mahalakshmi continued singing for Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and A.R. Rahman in many films which followed.Since then she has also sung many serials, jingles, and original albums. She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Vishal–Shekhar, Nadeem–Shravan, Jatin–Lalit and more.
She has sung for many Yash Raj Films' biggest hits like Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
She was known for her performances in songs like "Kabhi Sham Dhale" from Sur – The Melody of Life, "Har Taraf" from Rishtey and for hit songs like "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli, "Aaj Ki Raat" from Don: The Chase Begins Again and "Bol Na Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
She sang on the Academy Award-winning song "Jai Ho" for A. R. Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Specifically, she sang the Hindi words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses.
In the past, she rendered background vocal to the very famous Ghazal of Pankaj Udhas named Aur Ahistaa. She has also rendered her voice to many private album remixes notably Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar and Baahon Mein Chali Aao, which was originally rendered by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.
Film songs
| Year | Song | Film | Language | Music director | Co-singer |
| 1997 | "Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo " | Dus | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan, Dominique Cerejo |
| 1998 | "Ae Ajnabee" | Dil Se.. | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Udit Narayan |
| 1999 | "Velli Malarae" | Jodi | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 1999 | "Kurukku Siruttavale" | Mudhalvan | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | Hariharan |
| 1999 | "Tumne Na Humse" | Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Solo |
| 1999 | "Dil Se Mere" | Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Shekhar Ravjiani |
| 1999 | "Dillagi Dillagi" | Dillagi | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Jaspinder Narula |
| 1999 | "Kya Yeh Sach Hai" | Dillagi | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2000 | "So Jaa Chandaa" | Mission Kashmir | Hindi | Loy Mendonsa | Solo |
| 2001 | "Hasde Hasde" | Abhay | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Kamal Haasan |
| 2001 | "Yaar Teri Bewafai" | Love You Hamesha | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Solo |
| 2001 | "Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai" | Yaadein | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sunidhi Chauhan |
| 2002 | "Sokuwe Sokuwe Sinaki" | Prem Aru Prem | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Bobita Sharma, Zubeen Garg, Jonkey Borthakur, Sagarika |
| 2002 | "Phul Golapore" | Priya O' Priya | Assamese | Manas Robin | Jitul Sonowal, Dilip Das |
| 2002 | "Ei Ghar Amar" | Jibon Nodir Duti Paar | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Zubeen Garg, Shaan, Sagarika, Arnab Chakrabarty, Jonkey Borthakur and chorus. |
| 2002 | "Kokal Khamusiya" | Jibon Nodir Duti Paar | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Zubeen Garg |
| 2002 | "Har Taraf Tu Hi" | Rishtey | Hindi | Sanjeev Darshan | Shaan |
| 2002 | "Chalka Chalka Re" | Saathiya | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Richa Sharma, Vaishali |
| 2002 | "Yeh Taazgi Yeh Saadgi" | Deewangee | Hindi | Ismail Darbar | KK |
| 2002 | "Kabhie Sham Dhale" | Sur – The Melody of Life | Hindi | M. M. Kreem | Solo |
| 2002 | "Oohh Yeah" | Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | KK |
| 2003 | "Aao Milke Gaayen Aisa Gaana" | Armaan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayan, Amitabh Bachchan |
| 2003 | "Main Gaaon" | Armaan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan, Shaan |
| 2003 | "Tere Ishq Mein" | Supari | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Vishal Dadlani |
| 2003 | "Ee Nanna Kannaane" | Abhi | Kannada | Gurukiran | Udit Narayan |
| 2003 | "Jab Kabhi" | Jhankaar Beats | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | KK |
| 2003 | "Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai" | Qayamat: City Under Threat | Hindi | Nadeem Shravan | Kumar Sanu |
| 2003 | "Mera Dil Dil Toh Lele" | Qayamat: City Under Threat | Hindi | Nadeem Shravan | Shaan |
| 2003 | "ABBG" | Kuch Naa Kaho | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan |
| 2003 | "Baat Meri Suniye" | Kuch Naa Kaho | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2004 | "Yeh Dhuaan" | Charas | Hindi | Raju Singh | Solo |
| 2004 | "Kuchh To Ho Raha Hai" | Shaadi Ka Laddoo | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Shaan |
| 2004 | "Tum Kaho To" | Shaadi Ka Laddoo | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Udit Narayan |
| 2004 | "Pyar Mein Sau Uljhane Hai" | Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Vijay Prakash, Sneha Pant |
| 2004 | "Ishq Khudai" | Rudraksh | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Krishna, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit |
| 2004 | "Ninna Mareyalare" | Kanchana Ganga | Kannada | S. A. Rajkumar | Udit Narayan |
| 2004 | "Abhi Nahi Aur Kabhi" | Stop! | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sowmya Raoh |
| 2005 | "Chup Chup Ke" | Bunty Aur Babli | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Miraksam" | Waqt: The Race Against Time | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan |
| 2005 | "Koi Aisa Alam" | Karam | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Tu Jahaan" | Salaam Namaste | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Jaaniya Ve" | Dus | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Hariharan |
| 2005 | "Dil Ke Arma Tarse" | Aanch | Hindi | Sanjeev Darshan | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Koi Aisa Alam" | Karam | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "I'm in Love" | Neal 'n' Nikki | Hindi | Salim–Sulaiman | Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "Naach Gaanyacha Rang" | Nana Mama | Marathi | Sachin Sanghvi | Solo |
| 2006 | "Dil Laga Na" | Dhoom 2 | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu | Pritam | Jolly Mukherjee, Suzanne D'Mello, Sukhbir |
| 2006 | "Aaj Ki Raat" | Don: The Chase Begins Again | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Alisha Chinai, Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "Des Rangila" | Fanaa | Hindi | Jatin–Lalit | Solo |
| 2006 | "Chanda Chamke" | Fanaa | Hindi | Jatin–Lalit | Babul Supriyo |
| 2006 | "Rock N' Roll Soniye" | Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2007 | "Bol Na Halke Halke" | Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan |
| 2007 | "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" | Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, KK, Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2007 | "Baat Pakki" | Just Married | Hindi | Pritam | Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2007 | "Yeko Yeno" | Arasu | Kannada | Joshua Sridhar | Solo |
| 2007 | "Jab Chhaye" | Hattrick | Hindi | Pritam | Solo |
| 2007 | "Zara Gungunalein" | Laaga Chunari Mein Daag | Hindi | Shantanu Moitra | Babul Supriyo |
| 2007 | "Tenu Leke" | Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Sonu Nigam |
| 2007 | "Ta Ra Rum Pum" | Ta Ra Rum Pum | Hindi, Telugu | Vishal–Shekhar | Shaan |
| 2007 | "Teri Yaadein" | Kaisay Kahein... | Hindi | Pritam | Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2008 | "Jai Ho" | Slumdog Millionaire | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Sukhwinder Singh, Vijay Prakash, Tanvi Shah |
| 2008 | "Shaava Shava" | Chintakayala Ravi | Telugu | Vishal–Shekhar | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2008 | "Enduko" | Chintakayala Ravi | Telugu | Vishal–Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2008 | "Gup Chup" | One Two Three | Hindi | Raghav Sachar | Raghav Sachar |
| 2008 | "Jo Gumshuda" | Mission Istaanbul | Hindi | Anu Malik | Shaan, Ege |
| 2008 | "Endammaya" | Salute | Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Naveen |
| 2008 | "Oh Ho Sanam" | Dasavathaaram | Tamil, Telugu, Hindi | Himesh Reshammiya | Kamal Haasan |
| 2008 | "Falak Tak Chal" | Tashan | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Udit Narayan |
| 2008 | "Pyar Ki Dastan" | Luck by Chance | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Amit Paul |
| 2008 | "Dheem Dheem" | Accident | Kannada | V. Harikrishna | Sonu Nigam |
| 2009 | "Abacha" | Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam | Telugu | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shilpa Rao |
| 2009 | "Mujh Jaisa Hero" | Love Khichdi | Hindi | Pritam | Gopal Rao |
| 2009 | "Maza Aa Gaya" | Victory | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Sudesh Bhosle, Sumitra Iyer, Altaf Raja |
| 2010 | "Sadka Kiya" | I Hate Luv Storys | Hindi | Vishal–Shekhar | Suraj Jagan |
| 2010 | "Chal Chal Bhosle Market" | Khichdi: The Movie | Hindi | Raju Singh | Shaan |
| 2010 | "Tera Mera Pyar" | Action Replayy | Hindi | Pritam | Karthik |
| 2010 | "Aaradha Kobamillai" | Bale Pandiya | Tamil | Devan Ekambaram | Raman Mahadevan |
| 2010 | "Charha De Rang" | Yamla Pagla Deewana | Hindi | Nouman Javaid | Ali Pervez Mehdi, Shweta Pandit, Rahul Seth |
| 2011 | "Laung da Lashkara" | Patiala House | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hard Kaur, Jassi Sidhu |
| 2011 | "Rola Pe Gaya" | Patiala House | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Hard Kaur, Earl |
| 2011 | "Mauka" | Aarakshan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Raman Mahadevan, Tarun Sagar, Gaurav Gupta, Rehan Khan |
| 2011 | "Mala Sang Na" | Sharyat | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Solo |
| 2011 | "Poita Bhaat" | Poley Poley Urey Mon | Hindi, Assamese | Timothy Das Hanse, Biman Baruah | Zubeen Garg, Chayanika Bhuyan |
| 2012 | "Tore Niye Jai" | Khokababu | Bengali | Rishi Chanda | Zubeen Garg |
| 2012 | "Guti Guti Paye" | Bikram Singha | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Dhuan Dhuan" | Bikram Singha | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Kaal Mulaitha Poova" | Maattrraan | Tamil, Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Javed Ali |
| 2012 | "Bechayan Sapne" | Chittagong | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Abhijeet Sawant, Gulraj Singh, Sameer Khan, Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2012 | "Khud Ko Tere" | 1920: Evil Returns | Hindi | Chirantan Bhatt | Solo |
| 2012 | "Meri Duniya Terey Dam Se" | Delhi Safari | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shekhar Ravjiani, Shivam Mahadevan |
| 2012 | "Sajna Paas Aa Tu Jara" | Idiot | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Jhor Othe Mone" | Idiot | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Zubeen Garg |
| 2013 | "O Bondhu Amar" | Khoka 420 | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2013 | "Govinda Jay Jay" | Khoka 420 | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Abhijeet Bhattacharya |
| 2013 | "Pagal Ami Already" | Khiladi | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Zubeen Garg |
| 2013 | "Mayanga " | Dhoom 3 | Tamil | Pritam | Abhishek Nailwal |
| 2014 | "Daatale Reshami" | Timepass | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Chinar Kharkar |
| 2014 | "Concert Song" | 2 States | Tamil & Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Solo |
| 2014 | "Do Akhiyyan" | Badlapur Boys | Hindi | Sachin Gupta | Shaan |
| 2014 | "Nakhriley" | Kill Dil | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Ali Zafar, Shankar Mahadevan, Gulzar |
| 2015 | "Angat Rangat" | Kaay Raav Tumhi | Marathi | Kanak Raj | Solo |
| 2015 | "Praju" | Timepass 2 | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Rishikesh Kamerkar |
| 2015 | "Sune Sune" | Welcome Zindagi | Marathi | Soumil Shringarpure-Siddharth Mahadevan | Solo |
| 2015 | "Dooriyan" | I Love Desi | Hindi | Sham Balkar | Javed Ali, Sonu Kakkar |
| 2015 | "Un Mele Oru Kannu" | Rajinimurugan | Tamil | D. Imman | Jithin Raj |
| 2015 | "Abhas Ha" | 3:56 Killari | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Solo |
| 2016 | "Ore Oru Vaanam" | Thirunaal | Tamil | Srikanth Deva | Shakthisree Gopalan |
| 2018 | "Mon E Kemon" | Wrong Route | Bengali | Dev Sen | Imran Mahmudul |
| 2018 | "Ja Hobe Dekha" | Raja Rani Raji | Bengali | Lincon | Shaan |
| 2018 | "Runa Zuna" | Memory Card | Marathi | Mitesh-Pritesh | Javed Ali |
| 2018 | "Halwa Halwa" | Jaga Vegli Antyatra | Marathi | Rohan Pradhan & Rohan Gokhale | Siddharth Mahadevan |
| 2018 | "Heer" | Baa Baaa Black Sheep | Hindi | Gourav-Roshin-Shaan | Mika Singh |
| 2018 | "Nee Yaaro Nanage" | Amma I Love You | Kannada | Gurukiran | Santhosh Venky |
| 2018 | "Minugo Putta Taregale" | Saahasa Makkalu | Kannada | Sharath Bilinele | |
| 2019 | "Naa Raja" & "Koamaanae" | Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi | Telugu, Tamil | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shriram Iyer |
| 2019 | "Rae Raelaa Rae" & "Nanjukku" | Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi | Telugu, Tamil | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hamsika Iyer, Siddharth Mahadevan |
| 2019 | "Beimani Se" | Gone Kesh | Hindi | Bishakh Jyoti | Solo |
| 2023 | "Silmil Tuponite" | Raghav | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Solo |
| 2025 | "Era Eri" | Bhaimon Da | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Zubeen Garg, Amritprava Mahanta |