Salim Merchant is one half of the duo that makes the popular music artist siblings Salim-Sulaiman. Since they came into prominence in 2003, in addition to being an ace composer, Salim has also taken on solo projects as a singer.

Hailing from Gujarat, he is the son of the well-known Telugu composer, Sadruddin Merchant. Salim attended Trinity College of Music in London and is trained in the piano.

He tested the waters as a playback singer with “Mar Jaawan” and “Aashiyana” in “Fashion” (2008) and then went on to sing songs like “Ali Maula” (“Kurbaan”, 2009), “Aye Khuda” (“Paathshaala”, 2010), “Ainvayi Ainvayi” (“Band Baaja Baarat”, 2010), “Rozaana” (“Love Breakups Zindagi”, 2011) and “Kunwara” (“Jodi Breakers”, 2012) among others.

His voice can also be heard as alaap on the Salim-Sulaiman Indian version of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”. Salim also sits on the panel of judges in the fifth season of music reality show, Indian Idol.