All right. Take a deep breath. This is something you have to prepare yourself for - leaping into the Music Director Trench. Oh my gosh, I like quite a few! Putting my favourite ones into the correct order is going to take a lot of effort, but it’ll be worthwhile.Here are the music directors I love.
Vishal-Shekhar - These two have literally redefined Hindi film music. The first to experiment with Western beats, they’ve been around for ages but haven’t been noticed much. The real masters of techno. Plus, when they’ve done the music, you can be sure KK’s name is somewhere at the back of the cassette. Jhankaar Beats, Musafir, Dus.
Pritam - After the success of the title track of Dhoom, he’s really started going places. Zehreeli Raatein is his work, and though he’s lifted the tune from a boring old song, he’s done it very well. Tell me why Sameer the lyricist is everywhere he goes, though. Dhoom, Chocolate, Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, Garam Masala.
Himesh Reshammiya - He’s done the music for more films than any other music director, and every song in the same style. What’s good about him, though, is that he makes you like his songs all the same! I haven’t forgiven him for Aashiq Banaya Aapne yet. I wonder how he’ll live it down. Zameen, Humraaz, Dil Maange More. Etc.
Lezz Lewis - Gone into hibernation after Pal, hasn’t he? Aap Ki Dua and Dil Se Mat Khel have got him onto my list. His music mostly consists of guitars and drums, but it’s so good that one doesn’t feel the need of anything more. Really.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Their names have become synonymous with "disco" these days. They really do get a lot of undeserved attention. It should be Vishal-Shekhar in the spotlight. Anyway, that doesn’t mean I don’t admit that their music is very well made. Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Bunty Aur Babli.
Salim-Sulaiman - Some say Kaal is "bad music", but I don’t agree! Especially Akhiyan Teriya Ve. It’s blended with Eye Of The Tiger so well. Kaal, Neal N Nikki and the song Aashaaein from Iqbal.
Anu Malik - Great music, but he sings far too much for his own good and that of the ones who listen to him. He’s got a very funny voice. It’s only in Gori Gori Gori Gori that we can forgive him - there’s no one good enough to sing with KK anyway, so why bother asking anyone? Just sing it yourself, eh, Anu? Main Hoon Na, Nazar.
I can’t find any others that I like enough to put them on the list! Gosh, there’s a shortage of music directors here! Maybe I’ve forgotten some, though - do tell me if I have, will you?