Music Directors -- The Heart & Soul of the Indian Music Industry

Face it, Indian movies do come down to the catchy songs & music. That's what drives the audiences in, that's what the trailers/preview advertise, and that's what the directors/producers hope will help to make the movie a hit. In recent times, this ideology has gone too far, with crores & crores of Rupees being poured on filming the songs. And in most case, these songs have nothing to do with the film at all. So who makes the music a success. Well a spicy combination of the Singers, Lyricists and ofcourse the music directors. Here's a list of whose who in the indian music directorial scene in no particular order:

A.R. Rehman

Nowadays Rehman is a household name only after a mere 3 years in the limelight. Rehamn's music was a breath of fresh air to the indian film industry, and he added a new dimension to indian music. Simply put, he took indian music into a different direction.

Roja brought Chotti Si Aasha, but Bombay captured all hearts with it's sweet, soothing and catch music. "Hama Hama" was a new experience with it's catchy beats, and "Kehan Hi Kya" was the ultimate soothing experience. So after such fame, he delivered "Mukabla Mukabla" in Humse Hai MuKabla; a song so popular that it was copied couple of times. Urvasi Urvashi from the same movie was even better, and his fame kept on moving. "Chandralekha" from Chor Chor was mind blowing. And then came the brickbats flying at Rahman, with people echoing his music was too repetative. Rangeela won him fist filmare award; and the music ranged from sweet & soothing to seductive & sensous. Flops like Priyanka, Love Birds, Tu Hi Mera Dil followed. People predicated the fall of Rahman.

Latka Dekhaya Humne, & Telephone Dhun mein Husne Wali

That's all it took for Rehman to re-establish himself. The remaining 3 songs of Hindustani -- Maya Machindra, Ksytiyan Bhi, & Pyare Panchen -- were excellent. So Rehman was back. His recent hits "Mustafa Mustafa" from Duniya Dilwalon Ki & ofcourse the sweet music of Sapnay have only cemented his position in the indian industry. And you can expect the same trend in his future movies. Already the music of DAUD looks great.

Nadeem-Shravan

They claim that they are the best in the industry, and noone out there can challenge them. The massive success of Pardesi Pardesi from Raja Hindustani is the reaon why they are on seventh heaven nowadays. They started off in the best possible way with Gulshan Kumar of T-Series giving them that valuable break. The music of Aashiqui redefined love and they followed that with more great romantic tunes in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Saajan, & Deewana. Then in the mid 90's they seemed to hit a slump but 1996 was their way back.

Agnisaakshi, Saajan Chale Sasural, Jeet & Raja Hindustani were the reason for their new found popularity. Already in 1997 they have giving a good album in the form of Judai.

Jatin-Lalit

Music is in the blood of these two brothers of Surakshna Pandit, and they took their time to establish their credentials.

In 1992 they won everyone's heart with the sweet music of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. Tunes like "Pehla Nesha" were refreshing to hear. But the big break through came with Dilwale Dulaniya Le Jayenge, and the music needs no introduction. 1996 was a fine year as well, with the melidious music of Khamoshi and Fareb(Yeh teri Aankhen). 1997 has seen them deliver another hit with Daava, and the music of Yes Boss is awaited eagerly, as they have combined with Javed Akthar.

Anu Malik

Are baba, love him or hate him. Labelled as a plagizer, copy cat, etc.. for his massice lifts of other people's music. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, A.R. Rahman & even the famous Macarena are witness to his antics. But the bottom line is that he delivers good music. He began with very promising music. Phir Teri Kahani Yaar Aaye had one of the best music for a while. He had his ups & downs. Hits like Yaarana, Najayaz, Baazigar, etc came and went. In 1996 "Jhanjariya" from Krishna was a new page to his array of talents. Chahat & Daraar also followed in that year and did provide some likeable music. But the controversy came with Dhaal & Auzaar which had the indianized versions of the famous Macarena. But the fact is that "Are Baba Are Babe" is an excellent song. 1996 also saw him combine with Javed Akhtar to deliver the soothing music of Diljale, and Tamaana.

But 1997 has been very Tan Tana Tan for him so far, with hits from Judwaa, the Dholke like music of Virasat, & Border. Ishq & Kartoos are up next, and he may be cleaning up his act.

Anand-Milind

Their first film in 1988, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, was a massive hit. And they took it from there. They have given a number of hits over the year, but have scored a great partnership with David Dhawan and delivered some hilarious music in Coolie No. 1 & Hero No. 1. The music of these two movies is not to everyone's liking but is nonetheless funny and fits in nicely with the movie. Mritydaata was disappointing but Mrityudand is a much better effort, and carries the sweet "Keh od ek bar saajana" in it.

Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen

Mera Dil Le Gaye, O Kamo Idhir

True this song from Ziddi is a hit but it is a direct rip off the Pakistani song "Billo Ke Ghar". However, the rest of the songs from Ziddi make it an excellent album. They too have had their ups and downs, with "Yeh Dil Lagehe" one of their finer achivments.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal

They need no introduction to inidian music, as they have been delivering hits over the decades. However, their magic seems to have worn off. Raajkumar was a different album form what they generally produce and was a great one for that matter. PremGranth was disappointing and unable to kindle any fires. Their recent album "Deewana Mastana" is just a flop

Raajesh Roshan

The brother of Raakesh Roshan has been giving hits for a long while now. Has combined very well with his brother to give great hits from Koyal & Karun Arjun. Last year's Dastak was simply magnificant, with the music glorifying the beauty of Sushmita Sen even more. But he stole the show with the ghazal like music of Papa Kahten Hain. Kaun Saacha Kaun Jhoota had one hummable number but was disapponting.

Viju Shah

He was introduced to the industry by Rajiv Rai in Tridev and over the years has established a name for himself. He combined again with Rai to deliver mast mast hits like Vishwatma & Mohra. And 1997's Gupt has breathtaking music. In the meantime he delivered hits like Ravan Raaj, Aar Ya Paar & Tere Mere Sapne. He music is a lot on the western side and all his numbers now include his trademark western beats.

Aadesh Shrivastav

He has been around for a while but it was the music of Masoom that gave him the reconigation he deserved. This year's music of Humko Ishq Ne Mara is quite pleasant to listen to. He holds a lot of promise for the future.

Nikhil-Vinay

The music of English Babu Desi Mem brought them instant stardom. Their tried to continue that momemtum with Uff Yeh Mohabbat with mixed results.

RaamLaxman

Despite delivering two of the biggest musical hits the indian industry has seen in the form of Maine Pyar Kiya & Hum Aapke Hain Koun, he has not been signed by any big names.