Rekha Bhardwaj is an Indian singer and live performer. She has received two Filmfare and one National Awards. In addition to Hindi, she has also sung in Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi and Malayalam languages.
Rekha Bhardwaj Biography : 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. She first met him in 1984 when preparing for the annual function of Hindu College in New Delhi.
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.
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.
Awards and honours
2015 Nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) for the song “Humari atariya pe” from the 2014 film Dedh Ishqiya
2014 Nominated for Hum Award for Best Original Soundtrack for the song Kabhi Ashna Kabhi Ajnabi from the 2013 Pakistani TV serial Humnasheen
2013 Mirchi Music Awards for Raag-based song of the year for “Ek Ghadi” from D-Day
2012 Co-winner of Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) with Usha Uthup for the song “Darling” from the 2011 film 7 Khoon Maaf
2011 National Award for the song “Badi dheere jali” from the 2010 film Ishqiya
2011 Mirchi Music Awards for Female Vocalist of The Year for “Darling” from 7 Khoon Maaf
2010 Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) for the song “Sasural Genda Phool” from the 2009 film Delhi-6
2009 Mirchi Music Awards for Female Vocalist of The Year for the song “Sasural Genda Phool” from Delhi-6
Filmography
Bhardwaj has been a playback singer for various films in various languages.
Hindi
Release year Film Track title Comments
2024 : Film -> Ishq Vishk Rebound, Track Title -> Rehmat (Rebound), Comments -> with Rochak Kohli
2023 : Film -> Khufiya, Track Title -> Mat Aana, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj (released on Netflix)
Film -> Kuttey, Track Title -> Kuttey (Title Track), Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
2022 : Film -> Mismatched (Netflix Web Series), Track Title -> Aise Kyun (Ghazal Version), Comments -> with Anurag Saikiya
2021 : Film -> Dhindora (YouTube Web Series), Track Title -> Saazish, Comments -> with Bhuvan Bam
Film -> Hum Do Hamare Do, Track Tiotle -> Vedha Sajjeyaa, Comments -> with Sachin–Jigar and Vishal Jain
(released on Disney Plus Hotstar)
2020 : Film -> Angrezi Medium, Track Title -> Laadki, Comments -> with Sachin-Jigar
2018 : Film -> Pari, Track Title -> So Ja So Ja
Film -> Pataakha, Track Title -> Balma, Comments -> with Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> Hello Hello, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Film -> Love per Square Foot, Track Title -> Raaz Apne Dil Ke (Indian),Comments -> released on Netflix
Track Title -> Raaz Apne Dil Ke (Western)
Film -> Vodka Diaries, Track Title -> Sakhi Ri, Comments -> with Ustad Rashid Khan
2017 : Film -> Rangoon, Track Title -> Mere Miyan Gaye England, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> Chori Chori
Track Title -> Yeh Ishq Hai (Female Version)
2016 : Film -> Dobara Phir Se, Track Title -> Rasta Tham Gaya
Film -> Tum Bin 2, Track Title -> Teri Fariyad, Comments -> with Jagjit Singh and Ankit Tiwari
Track Title -> Teri Fariyad Extended Version
Film -> Jugni, Track Title -> Bolladiyaan, Comments -> with Clinton Cerejo
2015 : Film -> Drishyam, Track Tiotle -> Dum Ghutta Hai, Comments -> with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Vishal Bhardwaj
Film -> Talvar, Track Title -> Zinda, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Film -> Badlapur, Track Title -> Judaai, Comments -> with Arijit Singh and Sachin-Jigar
Film -> Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Track Title -> Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata, Comments -> with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Pritam
Film -> Bin Roye, Track Title -> Chan Chariya
2014 : Film -> Happy Ending, Track Title -> Mileya Mileya, Comments -> with Jigar Saraiya and Priya Andrews
Film -> The Xpose, Track Title -> Sheeshe Ka Samundar (reprise), Comments -> with Himesh Reshammiya
Film -> Haider, Track Title -> Aaj Ke Naam, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Film -> Revolver Rani, Track Title -> Banna Banni
Film -> Dedh Ishqiya, Track Title -> Hamari Atariya Pe, Comments- > with Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> Jagaave Saari Raina, Comments -> with Pandit Birju Maharaj and Vishal Bhardwaj
2013 : Film -> Ek Thi Daayan, Track Title -> Lautungi Main
Film -> Maazii, Track Title -> Mora Jiya Lagge Na, Comments -> Nominated for Radio Mirchi Awards for Best Rag Based Song
Film -> D-Day, Track Title -> Ek Ghadi, Comments -> with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Film -> Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Track Title -> Kabira, Comments -> with Tochi Raina and Pritam
Track Title ->”Ghagra”, Comments -> with Vishal Dadlani and Pritam
Film -> Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Track Title -> Oye Boy Charlie, Comments- > with Mohit Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title ->”Badal Uthiya”, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
2012 : Film -> Barfi!, Track Title -> Phir Le Aya Dil, Comments -> with Pritam
2011 : Film -> 7 Khoon Maaf, Track Title -> Darling, Comments -> with Usha Uthup and Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> Doosri Darling, Comments -> with Usha Uthup, Clinton Cerejo, Francis Castellino and Vishal Bhardwaj
2010 : Film -> Veer, Track Title -> Kanha, Comments -> with Sajid-Wajid
Film -> Sadiyaan, Track Title -> Waqt Ne Jo Beej Boyaa
Film ->Raavan, Track Title -> Ranjha Ranjha, Comments -> with Javed Ali, Anuradha Sriram and A. R. Rahman
Film -> Ishqiya, Track Title -> Ab Mujhe Koi, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> Badi Dheere Jali
2009 : Film -> Radio, Track Title -> Piya Jaise Ladoo Motichoor Wale, Comments -> with Himesh Reshammiya
Film -> Kaminey, Track Title -> Pehli Baar Mohabbat, Comments -> with Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala, Suresh Wadkar, Earl E D and Vishal Bhardwaj
Film -> Gulaal, Track Title -> Ranaji
Track Title -> Beedo
Film -> Delhi-6, Track Title -> Genda Phool, Comments -> with A. R. Rahman
Track Title -> Aarti (Tumhare Bhavan Mein), Comments -> with Kishori Ashok Gowariker, Sujata Majumdar, Shraddha Pandit and A. R. Rahman
2008 : Film -> Haal-E-Dil, Track Title -> Haal-E-Dil-2
Film -> Superstar, Track Title -> Aankhon Se Khawab Rooth Kar, Comments -> with Ustad Sultan Khan
2007 : Film -> Red Swastik , Track Title -> Sadiyon ki Pyaas
2006 : Film -> Omkara, Track Title -> Namak Ishq Ka, Comments -> with Vishal Bhardwaj
Track Title -> “Laakad”
2003 : Film -> Maqbool, Track Title -> Rone Do
Track Title -> Chingari
2002 : Film -> Makdee, Track Title -> Chutta Hai
1999 : Film -> Jahan Tum Le Chalo, Track Title -> Ye Kaisi Chaap
Film -> Godmother, Track Title -> Daaru Rum
1997 : Film -> Chachi 420, Track Title -> Ek Woh Din Bhi
Other languages
Release year Film Track title Language Comments
2012 : Film -> Kuni Mulgi Deta Ka Mulgi, Track Title -> Unn Matlabi, Language -> Marathi, Comments -> Her first song in the language
2012 : Film -> Doshomi, Track Title -> Swapno Bheja Alo, Language -> Bengali
2018 : Film -> Carbon, Track Title -> Doore Doore, Language -> Malayalam
Other works
In addition to films, Bhardwaj has also sung for TV serials, etc.
Release year Work Track title Comments
2013 : Work -> Humnasheen, Track Title -> Kabhi Ashna Kabhi Ajnabi, Comments ->Title track for Pakistani TV serial
2002 : Work -> Ishqa Ishqa, Comments -> Her first music album consisting of Ghazals.
