Shahid Mallya is an Indian playback singer who is known for singing in many Bollywood movies. He has sung songs in multiple languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Telugu. He started his singing career with the song ‘Gurbani’ from the 2011 film ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana.’ He has sung songs in many Bollywood films such as ‘Kukkad’ in the 2012 film ‘Student of the Year,’ ‘Iski Uski’ in the film ‘2 States’ released in 2014, ‘Ikk Kudi’ in the 2016 film ‘Udta Punjab,’ and ‘Radha’ in the 2017 film ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal.’
Wiki/Biography
Shahid Mallya was born on 20 August in Sri Ganganagar, Punjab. He was born in a family with musical background. He started learning music at the age of 7. His father was interested in singing and wanted to go to Mumbai but went through an accident due to which he couldn’t follow his dream. Initially, Shahid wanted to become a professor of music after completing his education and living a simple life but his father’s incomplete desire motivated Shahid to follow in his father’s footsteps and fulfil his dream. He participated in music competitions that used to take place in his school and college. He was offered to work with Punjabi music companies but he wanted to go to Mumbai to sing in Hindi films. To make his career in music, he left his home town Ferozpur and came to Mumbai in 2003.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 60 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Shahid Mallya belongs to a poor Punjabi Muslim family in Sri Ganganagar, Punjab.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Salim Mallya. His mother is a homemaker and he has a sister.
Shahid Mallya with his father
Shahid Mallya with his mother
Shahid Mallya with his sister
Career
Singer
Shahid began his singing career by singing for TV serials and TV commercials. His popularity in the mainstream music industry increased when his lyricist friend, Kumaar introduced him to music composer, Pritam, who allowed him to sing ‘Rabba Main To Mar Gaya Oye’ and ‘Ik Tu Hi Tu Hi’ for the 2011 film ‘Mausam’ after which he received many offers for singing in films. In the same year, he got the opportunity to sing 3 songs in 3 different movies which were ‘Do Dhaari Talwar’ in the film ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan,’ ‘Naino Waali Whisky’ in ‘Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande,’ and ‘Love Technology’ in ‘Be Careful.’
Some of his songs include ‘Tauba Main Vyah Karke Pachtaya’ from the 2014 film ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ and ‘Chitta Ve’ and ‘Hass Nach Le’ from the film ‘Udta Punjab’ (2016). In the 2018 film ‘Manmarziyaan,’ Shahid has sung two songs ‘Daryaa’ and ‘Sacchi Mohabbat’ among which ‘Sachhi Mohabbat’ turned out to be a hit track.
Apart from Hindi movie songs, Shahid has worked as a playback singer in Punjabi and Telugu films also. In the 2012 Punjabi film, ‘Dil Tainu Karda Ae Pyar’ he has sung two songs titled ‘Kyun Gayee’ and ‘Sona Sahiba.’ In the 2021 Telugu comedy film, ‘FCUK: Father Chitti Umaa Kaarthik’ he sang the track ‘Hey Hudiya’ composed by Bheems Ceciroleo.
Shahid has also worked on music albums with other artists and has been featured in music videos. In 2019, he sang a song named ‘Wajood’ and was also featured in its music video. In the same year, he sang the song titled, ‘Dukh’ from the album ‘Gumnaam Shyayar.’
Poster of song ‘Wajood’ released in 2019 featuring Shahid Mallya
Controversies
Discrimination on the Basis of Religion and Nepotism in the Music Industry
Shahid Mallya had to face discrimination on the basis of his religion during the time of Ramadan. He took out his anger by posting a picture of himself at Mumbai airport on which he wrote, “Security??? I think my attire & my name does allow them to check me multiple times at Mumbai Airport. What do you say, guys? Is it justified?” He captioned the image, “I love my India” then tagged Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and added hashtags #jyotiraosindhia and #uddhavthackeraysaheb.
In an interview, he also talked about the struggles he had to deal with when he first came to Mumbai and faced Nepotism. He said,
People who come from small towns face all kinds of problems. Firstly, they don’t know the streets to studios and production houses. And then, one has to mingle into the language, food and environment of this city. When people see you talking in your language like Punjabi or Rajasthani, people take you lightly and don’t think you worthy enough to give an opportunity.”
Every person who leaves his town to come to Mumbai faces these problems and I didn’t face anything different. But I had come to Mumbai with my entire family. So, my struggles were a little bit more.”
On being asked whether he still feels like an outsider, he replied,
Yes definitely! But I am thankful that I have got some great opportunities here and people have loved my work. And I think, one needs to keep moving forward instead of looking back.”
Opinions About Remix Culture
In an interview, on being asked about sharing his opinions about remixing culture in the Bollywood industry
Of course, making a remix is easier. Making pizza with bread is easy but making bread is difficult. One needs to make bread, and only then you can put pizza stuffings on it.”
I think that only those songs should be remixed that have been forgotten by the masses or the songs of music directors, singers and lyricists who have left for heavenly abode. Old songs are a heritage. It’s like an old building that should get reconstructed. There’s no harm in that but due credits should be given to the original makers.”
Now, there’s a song ‘Aankh Maarey’ originally sung by Kumar Sanu. He must be watching its remixed version on TV. The lyricist also must be alive and probably watching it on TV. How would they be feeling seeing their work being used without giving them due credits? We sell the rights to these music companies and then they do whatever they want to. It is a pretty bad situation. Indian music needs to be protected.”
Awards
- Nominated for Upcoming Male Vocalist of The Year for the song ‘Rabba Main Toh Mar Gaya Oye’ from the 2011 film ‘Mausam’ at the 4th Mirchi Music Awards in 2012
Favourites
- Male singer: Mohammad Rafi
Facts/Trivia
- In an interview, while remembering the recording of the famous song ‘Ikk Kudi’ from the film ‘Udta Punjab’ he said,
I’ve grown up listening to the late Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s poetry, so we did this song within 20 minutes. However, I never thought that it would do so well and get so much love. When I sang the song, the song was already done in 2-3 takes but he made me sing it several more times, and in the end, he hugged me and revealed that the song was done way before in the first few takes but when I was singing every time, I could emerge a new feeling and emotion which Amit Trivedi Ji enjoyed. There are many more interesting stories but this one is the closest to my heart.”
- The song ‘Kukkad’ of the film ‘Student of the Year’ in 2012 was recorded by Shahid in 20 minutes.
- He has sung 4 songs in the 2014 hit film ‘Gunday’ which were ‘Saaiyaan,’ ‘Bolo Na,’ ‘Mann Kunto Maula (Bangla Version),’ and ‘Mann Kunto Maula (Classical Bangla Version).’
- Before singing predominantly in films, he used to sing for Indian TV shows. He has sung the title track for the TV drama series ‘Bani- Ishq Da Kalma’ in 2013.
