Rekha Bhardwaj Explained

Rekha Bhardwaj
Birth Place:Delhi, India
Genre:Playback singing in Bollywood and regional films
Occupation:Singer
Years Active:1997–present

Rekha Bhardwaj is an Indian singer and live performer. She has received two Filmfare and one National Awards.[1] [2] In addition to Hindi, she has also sung in Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi and Malayalam languages.[3]

Personal life

Bhardwaj was born in Delhi and is one of six siblings (5 sisters and a brother).

She married the noted film director, composer and playback singer Vishal Bhardwaj in 1991.[4] She first met him in 1984 when preparing for the annual function of Hindu College in New Delhi.[5]

Professional career

Bhardwaj was initially trained in music by her older sister at their home. She went on to receive formal training under Pandit Amarnath.[6]

Bhardwaj's first album titled 'Ishqa Ishqa' was released in 2002, ten years after its conception. Its success got her recognition and helped bag her career-defining songs like "Namak Ishq Ka" in the 2006 film Omkara (composed by her Husband Vishal Bharadwaj) followed by "Sasural Genda Phool" (a Chhattisgarhi folk song recreated by AR RAHMAN) in 2009 film Delhi-6.[4] [7]

Awards and honours

Filmography

Bhardwaj has been a playback singer for various films in various languages.

Hindi

Release yearFilmTrack titleComments
2024Ishq Vishk ReboundRehmat (Rebound)with Rochak Kohli
2023KhufiyaMat Aanawith Vishal Bhardwaj
(released on Netflix)
KutteyKuttey (Title Track)with Vishal Bhardwaj
2022Mismatched
(Netflix Web Series)
Aise Kyun (Ghazal Version)with Anurag Saikiya
2021Dhindora
(YouTube Web Series)
Saazishwith Bhuvan Bam
Hum Do Hamare DoVedha Sajjeyaawith Sachin–Jigar and Vishal Jain
(released on Disney Plus Hotstar)
2020Angrezi MediumLaadkiwith Sachin-Jigar
2018PariSo Ja So Ja
PataakhaBalmawith Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Bhardwaj
Hello Hellowith Vishal Bhardwaj
Love per Square FootRaaz Apne Dil Ke (Indian), released on Netflix
Raaz Apne Dil Ke (Western)
Vodka DiariesSakhi Riwith Ustad Rashid Khan
2017RangoonMere Miyan Gaye Englandwith Vishal Bhardwaj
Chori Chori
Yeh Ishq Hai (Female Version)
2016Dobara Phir SeRasta Tham Gaya
Tum Bin 2Teri Fariyad with Jagjit Singh and Ankit Tiwari
Teri Fariyad Extended Version
JugniBolladiyaanwith Clinton Cerejo
2015DrishyamDum Ghutta Haiwith Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Vishal Bhardwaj
TalvarZindawith Vishal Bhardwaj
BadlapurJudaaiwith Arijit Singh and Sachin-Jigar
Bajrangi BhaijaanZindagi Kuch Toh Batawith Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Pritam
Bin RoyeChan Chariya
2014Happy EndingMileya Mileyawith Jigar Saraiya and Priya Andrews
The XposeSheeshe Ka Samundar (reprise)with Himesh Reshammiya
HaiderAaj Ke Naamwith Vishal Bhardwaj
Revolver RaniBanna Banni
Dedh IshqiyaHamari Atariya Pe with Vishal Bhardwaj
Jagaave Saari Rainawith Pandit Birju Maharaj and Vishal Bhardwaj
2013Ek Thi DaayanLautungi Main
MaaziiMora Jiya Lagge NaNominated for Radio Mirchi Awards for Best Rag Based Song
D-DayEk Ghadiwith Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Yeh Jawaani Hai DeewaniKabira with Tochi Raina and Pritam
"Ghagra"with Vishal Dadlani and Pritam
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka MandolaOye Boy Charlie with Mohit Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Bhardwaj
"Badal Uthiya"with Vishal Bhardwaj
2012Barfi!Phir Le Aya Dilwith Pritam
20117 Khoon MaafDarling with Usha Uthup and Vishal Bhardwaj
Doosri Darlingwith Usha Uthup, Clinton Cerejo, Francis Castellino and Vishal Bhardwaj
2010VeerKanhawith Sajid-Wajid
SadiyaanWaqt Ne Jo Beej Boyaa
RaavanRanjha Ranjhawith Javed Ali, Anuradha Sriram and A. R. Rahman
IshqiyaAb Mujhe Koi with Vishal Bhardwaj
Badi Dheere Jali
2009RadioPiya Jaise Ladoo Motichoor Wale with Himesh Reshammiya
KamineyPehli Baar Mohabbat with Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala, Suresh Wadkar, Earl E D and Vishal Bhardwaj
GulaalRanaji
Beedo
Delhi-6Genda Phoolwith A. R. Rahman
Aarti (Tumhare Bhavan Mein)with Kishori Ashok Gowariker, Sujata Majumdar, Shraddha Pandit and A. R. Rahman
2008Haal-E-DilHaal-E-Dil-2
SuperstarAankhon Se Khawab Rooth Karwith Ustad Sultan Khan
2007Red SwastikSadiyon ki Pyaas
2006OmkaraNamak Ishq Ka with Vishal Bhardwaj
"Laakad"
2003MaqboolRone Do
Chingari
2002MakdeeChutta Hai
1999Jahan Tum Le ChaloYe Kaisi Chaap
GodmotherDaaru Rum
1997Chachi 420Ek Woh Din Bhi

Other languages

Release yearFilmTrack titleLanguageComments
2012Kuni Mulgi Deta Ka MulgiUnn MatlabiMarathiHer first song in the language
2012DoshomiSwapno Bheja AloBengali
2018CarbonDoore DooreMalayalam

Other works

In addition to films, Bhardwaj has also sung for TV serials, etc.

Release yearWorkTrack titleComments
2013HumnasheenKabhi Ashna Kabhi AjnabiTitle track for Pakistani TV serial
2002Ishqa IshqaHer first music album consisting of Ghazals.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Rekha Bhardwaj, who has won the National Award for Best Female Playback singer, said it's a great feeling having been able to share the same high with hubby Vishal Bhardwaj, who has won the Best Music Director award for the same film, "Ishqiya". - Times of India. The Times of India. 2017-10-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003031458/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/Rekha-Bhardwaj-who-has-won-the-National-Award-for-Best-Female-Playback-singer-said-its-a-great-feeling-having-been-able-to-share-the-same-high-with-hubby-Vishal-Bhardwaj-who-has-won-the-Best-Music-Director-award-for-the-same-film-Ishqiya-/articleshow/8494315.cms. 3 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  2. News: Rekha Bhardwaj sings for 'Bin Roye' - The Express Tribune. 2015-06-10. The Express Tribune. 2017-10-02. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003030356/https://tribune.com.pk/story/901294/rekha-bhardwaj-sings-for-bin-roye/. 3 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  3. Web site: The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj. 11 November 2016. 1 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612172315/https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/the-lesser-known-side-of-singer-rekha-bhardwaj/story-DsD3h7QffclAIBSut0IvaM.html. 12 June 2018. live. dmy-all.
  4. News: The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj. 2016-11-11. hindustantimes.com. 2017-10-02. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170215203738/http://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/the-lesser-known-side-of-singer-rekha-bhardwaj/story-DsD3h7QffclAIBSut0IvaM.html. 15 February 2017. live. dmy-all.
  5. News: Vishal and I met through music: Rekha Bhardwaj. 2017-10-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075037/http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/170821-vishal-and-i-met-through-music-rekha. 3 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  6. Web site: Lataji can give anyone a complex . Timesofindia.indiatimes.com . 3 April 2006 . 20 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121023011529/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1474132,curpg-1.cms . 23 October 2012 . live . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: Gulzarsaab is my Santa Claus . Specials.rediff.com . 20 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131227125933/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/21sld3.htm . 27 December 2013 . live . dmy-all .
  8. News: Filmfare Awards 2015: 2 States, Haider Lead Nominations - NDTV Movies. 2015-01-20. NDTVMovies.com. 2017-10-02. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003030455/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/filmfare-awards-2015-haider-queen-lead-nominations-729745. 3 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: Rekha Bhardwaj - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music. BBC. 2017-10-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20171228173718/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/44032aa6-cffc-41b8-b898-1ec0e1ba8a27. 28 December 2017. live. dmy-all.
  10. News: Mirchi Music Awards 2013 Winners List - Times of India. The Times of India. 2017-10-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209200921/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Mirchi-Music-Awards-2013-Winners-List/articleshow/31149918.cms. 9 February 2018. live. dmy-all.
  11. News: Filmfare Awards 2012: Usha Uthup wins after 42 years of singing. 2017-10-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20170405033242/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/filmfare-awards-2012-usha-uthup-wins-after-42-years/1/174622.html. 5 April 2017. live. dmy-all.
  12. News: I Take Out All My Frustration Through Singing, Says Rekha Bhardwaj - NDTV Movies. 2015-06-27. NDTVMovies.com. 2017-10-02. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003030200/http://movies.ndtv.com/music/i-take-out-all-my-frustration-through-singing-says-rekha-bhardwaj-775892. 3 October 2017. live. dmy-all.
  13. Web site: Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011. 30 January 2013. 24 May 2018. bot: unknown. https://web.archive.org/web/20130130161203/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php. 30 January 2013. dmy-all.
  14. News: 3 Idiots, Dev D top winners at Filmfare Awards - Times of India. The Times of India. 2017-10-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20171112162720/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/3-Idiots-Dev-D-top-winners-at-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/5627239.cms. 12 November 2017. live. dmy-all.
  15. Web site: Mirchi Music Award 2009. www.radiomirchi.com. 2019-02-15.