
Vishal Dadlani
Born/Date of Birthday: 28 June 1973
Place of birth: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Education: Hill Grange High School
Alma mater: Jai Hind College, MU| HR College, HSNC University
Spouse: Priyali Dadlani
Parents: Reshma Dadlani
Occupation: Music composer, film score composer, playback singer, lyricist, screenwriter, TV judge (Indian Idol)
Vishal Dadlani (born 28 June 1973) is an Indian singer, songwriter and music composer. He is one half of the duo Vishal–Shekhar, Front Man and vocalist of one of India's leading rock bands called Pentagram. As a singer he has sung various hit songs for various genre's notably Dhoom Again, Kurban Hua, Jee le Zara, Marjaiyann, I feel Good, Jab Mila Tu, Tu Meri, Swag Se Swagat, Bala, Har funn Maula, Khuda Hafiz. In an interview he admitted that he can sing from Rock to Romantic, any genre as he has particular voice texture for kind of genre.[to whom?][peacock term] As a vocalist of band Pentagram, notable works are Voice, Tomorrow's Decided, Must I, Love Drug Climbdown and more to go. As music director, he has composed some Songs for Films such as Om Shanti Om, Anjana Anjani, Dostana, I hate Love Stories, Bang Bang, Sultan, Student of the Year, Befikre, War etc.
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 (1989–90), 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, Dadlani found fame as a Bollywood music composer, singer, and lyricist, with movies like Jhankaar Beats, Bluff Master, 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 (2003), Dus (2005), Bluffmaster (2005), I See You (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Dostana (2008), Anjaana Anjaani (2010), Ra.One (2011), Student of the Year (2012), Chennai Express (2013), Bang Bang! (2014), Happy New Year (2014), Sultan (2016), and Befikre (2016). 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, Dadlani 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 fined by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the tweet.