Retaining the deep resonance of classical music, their soulful music strikes a chord with the contemporary as they compose music innovatively to suit the nouveau style of Chiaroscuro films our industry is dabbling in. That is what makes you want to rewind and replay the chart-toppers from movies like Teen Patti, Pyaar Impossible, Rocket Singh, Kurbaan, Luck, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Chak De India, Dor, Iqbal, Kaal, Ab Tak Chappan, and the upcoming Kites. Apart from composing the lead songs of a film, they’re always responsible for the background score; if it isn’t the musical arrangement of a track, keep your ears open for Salim’s arresting vocals and Sulaiman’s perfect percussions.

Bollywood came to them when they were still concentrating on advertisement jingles, because sometimes it helps to be at the right place at the right time. Working in the same building as film director Sanjay Gupta, the brothers’ work was overheard by the Bollywood director, who immediately signed them on to compose and record the theme of his 1997 Kajol and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Hameshaa. Before they knew it, Salim and Sulaiman had captured Bollywood’s attention.

Today Salim and Sulaiman are among Bollywood’s hottest music directors, and everyone is dancing to their tunes. By incorporating western, folk, Hindustani and Sufi influences to their music, the duo has managed to enthrall audiences across the world and not only keep up with the changing face of India’s film industry, but also help redefine it.