Himesh Reshammiya Credits Salman Khan and David Dhawan for Launching His Bollywood Music Career

MUMBAI–Indian music composer and singer Himesh Reshammiya has credited Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and filmmaker David Dhawan with helping establish his career in the Hindi film industry, saying their encouragement and support opened doors he might otherwise never have pursued.

Speaking on film trade analyst Komal Nahta’s podcast “Game Changers: The Music Series,” Reshammiya reflected on his transition from television production to composing music for Bollywood films and the pivotal role Khan played in that journey.

The composer revealed that he had already established a successful career producing television serials and had little motivation to pursue opportunities in the film industry before Khan encouraged him to take the next step.

“I get very emotional and feel grateful to everyone who has been a part of my journey. If Salman Bhai had never given me a break, there is a possibility that I would never have wanted to struggle. I was doing well in television serials, so why would I go out and sell music? The songs were genuinely superhits”, Reshammiya said.

He recalled that his early compositions received enthusiastic responses from friends and others who visited his studio, strengthening his confidence in his musical abilities.

According to Reshammiya, his school friends were among the first to hear his songs, and nearly everyone who listened believed the compositions had the potential to become major hits.

Despite that encouragement, he remained focused on television, where he was producing four serials simultaneously and working regularly.

He also composed music for his television productions and initially believed he could eventually move into filmmaking independently.

However, an opportunity to compose songs for a Salman Khan film changed the direction of his career.

Reshammiya recalled working on two songs for Khan when director David Dhawan visited the studio. The encounter unexpectedly led to another major opportunity.

“I had four ongoing serials and was working every day. I even composed music for my serials and thought I could make films myself now. By then, I got my big break, and those songs went on to become hugely popular hits. I would like to give David Ji credit because I was working on Salman Khan’s film for two songs when he came in. David Ji arrived, and I told Salman that he had come for Dulaara. Salman said, ‘Let him listen to my songs. I’m doing that film’. David Ji locked all the songs in 15 minutes, as a solo composer. After that, Ratan Ji and Abbas-Mustan came along”, he said.

The composer credited Dhawan’s immediate approval of his music with helping him secure further opportunities in Bollywood.

The breakthrough subsequently brought him into contact with producer Ratan Jain and filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan, expanding his professional relationships within the industry.

Reshammiya also discussed his work on the romantic drama “Tere Naam,” starring Salman Khan, which became an important milestone in his career.

He explained that the film’s music was developed around the emotional characteristics of its central character, requiring compositions that reflected heartbreak, intensity and longing.

“Then came ‘Tere Naam’. We thought the character had to be in the Devdas zone. He had to be a brooding hero; he couldn’t be smiling and all that. That’s how Tere Naam happened. That is why I always say it’s important to jam”, he said.

Reshammiya emphasized that creative discussions and collaboration between composers, directors and actors were essential to developing music that complemented a film’s story.

Looking back on his career, he expressed gratitude to the people who recognized his talent and provided opportunities during his early years in Bollywood.

He maintained that without Khan’s initial encouragement and Dhawan’s confidence in his compositions, his professional journey might have remained centered on television rather than film music. (Source: IANS)