Introduction

Proficient in vocals, harmonium, tabla and keyboard, Anu Malik is a renowned music composer in Bollywood. He is also responsible for finishing some unfinished work by RD Burman like Gang, Ghatak and 1942-A Love Story. His compositions for the 1993 movie Baazigar shot him into fame.

Early Life

Anu Malik is the son of veteran music director Sardar Malik. At the age of seven, Anu became conscious of the fact that he could create a tune from any given set of words anytime and anywhere. He had grown up amidst talents like Raja Mahedi Ali Khan Saheb, Sahir Ludhianvi and Raj Kapoor. Anu’s musical odyssey began with the 1977 film, Hunterwali 77.

Later, he made his presence felt in the movie Sohni Mahiwal (1984) wherein he was nominated for the Filmfare Best Music Director Award. His other films in that era included films like Poonam (1981), Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983), Mard (1985), and Maalamaal (1988) and Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988). He also sang a popular song Julie Julie Johnny ka dil tujh pe aiya Julie along with Kavita Krishnamurthy in the movie Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988). By the year 1989, he composed 5 songs for the movie Mujrim which included Raat Ke Baarah Baje which he sang along with Alka Yagnik and Amit Kumar.

Rise to fame

Anu Malik rose to fame in early 1990s, with films like Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993) and Baazigar (1993). The film Baazigar won Anu a Filmfare award for Best Music Director, wherein he also sang the memorable song Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein, along with Kumar Sanu. Baazigar’s compositions and record breaking sales, catapulted Anu to the A league of composers in Bollywood. By 1994, he was music director for films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Vijayapath, The Gentleman, Zaalim and Hum Hain Bemisaal. In 1997, he was the music director for the film Border that had a hit number Sandese Aate Hai. The film finally silenced his critics who were griping about his plagiarism.

In the millennium years, he composed for movies like Fiza (2000), Aks (2001), Filhaal… (2001), and Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001). Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai won him a nomination for Filmfare Best Music Director. In 2001, he won a Filmfare Special Award for the Film Refugee. By 2003, he composed music for Munna Bhai M.B.B.S in which he sang the number Dekhle Aankhon Mein Aankhien Daal along with Sunidhi Chauhan. The following year he composed for the Movie Main Hoon Na, which won him a second Filmfare Award for Best Music Director.

In the next few years, Anu Malik continued giving many more chartbuster songs and sound-tracks. His music for Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) were very popular. Later, he saw his peak when he got both acclaim and high sales for his music for Virasat (1997) and Border (1997), and his songs for Indra Kumar’s Ishq (1997) were huge hits. Two of his most under rated soundtracks were for Kareeb (1998) and Duplicate (1998). He kept giving hit sound tracks like Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999), Baadshah (1999), Josh (2000), Refugee (2000), Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega (2000) and Fiza (2000).

Year 2001 saw Anu Malik at his versatile best when five of his sound tracks – Mujhe Kuch Kehna hai, Aks, Ajnabee, Yaadein and Asoka were among the top 20 film albums of the year. Soon, some of the best compositions for Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, like Bani Bani Prem Diwani Bani, Chali Aayee Chali Aayee and Kasam ki Kasam were big hits in 2003.6 Again, in 2003, his compositions for the film LOC Kargil were critically acclaimed. His streak of success continued as he composed for films like Main Hoon Naa (2004), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Murder (2004) which topped all the charts. After a brief lull, he reappeared in 2006 with a soundtrack Jaane-e- mann which was also a success. His compositions as music director continued with movies like Umrao Jaan (2006), Love Story 2050 (2008), Ugly Aur Pagli (2008), Rock on (where he also acted as Anu Malik), Kambakkht Ishq (2009).

The year 2010 saw him compose for movies like Toonpur Ka Superhero. In 2012, he composed music for Gali Gali Chor Hai and Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai. In 2013, he did the music direction for Shoot out At Wadala. In 2014, he provided the composition for the movie International Hera Pheri. For the 2014 film Kuku Mathur ki Jhand Ho Gayi, the producers roped in Malik specifically for the Tarzan song. Upcoming films that Anu Malik is set to compose for are Dum Laga Ke Haishaa in 2015, Border 2 and Hera Pheri 4 in 2016.

Awards

• National Film Awards

National Film Award for Best Music Direction – Refugee (2001)

• Filmfare Awards

Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Baazigar (1994)

Filmfare Special Award for Refugee (2001)

Filmfare Best Music Director Award - Main Hoon Na (2005)

• Zee Cine Awards

Zee Cine Award for Best Music Director - Akele Hum Akele Tum (1996)

Zee Cine Award for Best Music Director - Main Hoon Na (2005)

• Star Screen Awards

Star Screen Award for Best Music Director – Baazigar (1994)

Screen Award Special Jury Award (2004)

Star Screen Award for Best Music Director - Main Hoon Na (2005)

• Other Awards

Popular Award - Best Music Director for Main Hoon Na (2005)

Asha Bhosle Award - Outstanding Contribution in Music (2010)

Indian Telly Awards - Best reality show judge (2010)

TV Shows

Anu Malik has been judging the television phenomenon 'Indian Idol' for the last three seasons.

He has been judging Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, an entertainment reality show by Sony Entertainment Television (India) on weekdays.

He was the only judge from India on Asian Idol.