Vishal Bhardwaj, a graduate of Hindu College, is an Indian filmmaker, writer, screenwriter and music composer. He is considered to be one of India's leading film makers. His works have been regarded as path breaking in Indian cinema.

 

 

 

Bhardwaj is the son of Ram Bhardwaj, a popular poet and lyricist. He was born and raised in BIJNOR. As a young man, Vishal moved to Delhi. He pursued his graduation in the famous Hindu College of Delhi University where he nurtured his talents and also met the love of his life.

 

He started playing harmonium for little known ghazal singers at the various food festivals in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. He was later introduced to R.V. Pandit, who offered him a job in his CBS music company in Delhi. Bhardwaj is married to singer, Rekha Bhardwaj.

 

 

 

Vishal Bhardwaj was recommended by a friend to the filmmaker Gulzar, with whom he successfully collaborated on TV serials such as Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland and Guchche. Vishal composed the music for Maachis, a film directed by Gulzar. The musical score for Maachis was received to critical and commercial acclaim and earned Vishal the Filmfare R D Burman Award in 1996. Since then, Vishal has scored music for several Hindi films such as Satya, Chachi 420 ,Omkara and a host of other popular projects.

 

He turned director with his children's film Makdee which was criticaly acclaimed by the critics. He then made the first of his Shakespearean adaptation, Maqbool, based on Macbeth. This was followed up by another children's film, The Blue Umbrella based on Ruskin Bond's story of the same name.This film also met with critical acclaim throughout. Omkara marked the second of Vishal's Shakespearan endeavours, this time an adaptation of Othello. Omkara was a great success story abroad and affirmed Vishal's maverick status further.

 

Vishal is known for his collaborations with Gulzar, who opted for Vishal's music in all his directorial ventures since Maachis. In turn, he has provided lyrics to all of Vishal's films. Vishal has done some second unit work for the legendary Francis Ford Coppola on the latter's film Youth Without Youth.

 

His recent directorial release was Blood Brothers, a 11-minute short film, which is part of Mira Nair's series of HIV-AIDS awareness films. Guillermo Navarro is the cinematographer on this film.

 

Shahid Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra starrer Kaminey is his latest film. It released on 14th August 2009. The film has been hugely critically acclaimed and is acknowledged as one of Vishal's wonderful works. The movie is also VIshal's biggest commercial success till date.

Vishal has recently announced a film starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled Project starring Aishwarya Rai

Kaminey

Blood Brothers

Omkara

Chatri Chor a.k.a. The Blue Umbrella

Maqbool

Makdee

 

 

 

Kaminey

U, Me Aur Hum

No Smoking

Nishabd

Omkara

Bhagmati

Ramji Londonwaley

Paanch

Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar

Maqbool

Danav

Chupke Se

Makdee

Hu Tu Tu

Godmother

Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega

Chachi 420

Choo Lenge Akash

Satya

Ishqa Ishqa

Boodhe Pahador Par

Jahan Tum Le Chalo

Daya (Malayalam)

Sham Ghansham

Betaabi

Maachis

Sanshodhan

 

 

 

Kaminey - Kaminey

U, Me Aur Hum - U, Me Aur Hum

No Smoking - Kash Lagaa

Omkara - O Saathi Re

 

 

 

1996: Filmfare Awards - R D Burman Award for New Music Talent

1999: National Film Award for Best Music Direction: Godmother

2002: Chicago International Children's Film Festival Adult' Jury Award.

2005: Zee Cine Award for Best Screenplay: Maqbool (with Abbas Tyrewala)

2006: Cairo International Film Festival, Best Artistic Contribution in Cinema of a Director: Omkara

2006: Star Screen Awards Best Music Direction: Omkara

2006: Kara Film Festival Best Music Director - Omkara

 

 

 

2007: IIFA for Best Background Score Omkara

2006: Star Screen Awards for Best Director Omkara

2006: Filmfare for Best Director Omkara

2004: Golden Kinnaree for Best Film Maqbool

2003: Zee Cine Awards for Best Director Maqbool