Mahalakshmi Iyer

Mahalakshmi Iyer (born 11 July 1976) is an Indian playback singer known for her contributions to Hindi, Assamese and Tamil film music. She has also recorded songs in several other Indian languages, including Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati and Kannada. Shortly after completing her graduation, she began her professional career by lending her voice to advertising jingles. Although she recorded her first song in 1997 for the unreleased film Dus with the composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, her first officially released film song came in 1998 with A. R. Rahman in Dil Se... Over the years, she has recorded approximately 5,000 songs, working with many leading composers across the Indian film industry.

Mahalakshmi was one of the lead vocalists in the song “Jai Ho” from the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). For this track, she shared the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture at the 52nd Grammy Awards held on 31 January 2010. The same song also received the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards. Throughout her career, she has received several accolades, including the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, the Orissa State Film Award for Best Singer, the Gujarat State Film Award for Best Playback Singer, the Gujarati Iconic Film Award (GIFA) for Best Playback Singer, and the Filmfare Award Assamese for Best Playback Singer in 2024.

In addition to her work in film music, she has collaborated with international artists such as Michel Sanchez and Éric Mouquet on the project, Deep Forest. She has also released Indie singles and continues to perform extensively in live concerts worldwide, frequently touring with prominent composers such as A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, Jatin–Lalit and Zubeen Garg.

Early life Mahalakshmi Iyer was born on July 11, 1976, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Tamil-speaking Iyer family. Her mother is a Carnatic classical singer, which greatly influenced Mahalakshmi’s early musical upbringing. She began her formal training in Hindustani classical music at a young age, alongside her two sisters. Much of her childhood was spent in the Chembur neighborhood of Mumbai. She completed her undergraduate studies in Economics at RA Podar College of Arts and Commerce and later attended St. Xavier’s College, both located in Mumbai.

Mahalakshmi began her professional career in music with her first jingle assignment for Optex Sarees. She subsequently established herself in the advertising industry, lending her voice to numerous campaigns for major brands such as Close-up, Nescafé, Johnson's Baby Soap, Uncle Chipps, Amul, Pepsi, Cadbury Dairy Milk, among many others.

Career Mahalakshmi made her playback debut with the film Dus in 1997, but the film was never completed and remained unreleased due to the sudden passing of the film's director Mukul S. Anand. The album however was released in 1999 as a tribute. She sang the track Ae Ajnabee with Udit Narayan for A. R. Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se.. which was her first release as a playback singer and considered to be her debut. Mahalakshmi continued singing for Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and A.R. Rahman in many films which followed.

Since then she has also sung many serials, jingles, and original albums. She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Vishal–Shekhar, Nadeem–Shravan, Jatin–Lalit and more.

She has sung for many Yash Raj Films' biggest hits like Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

She was known for her performances in songs like "Kabhi Sham Dhale" from Sur – The Melody of Life (2002), "Har Taraf" from Rishtey (2002) and for hit songs like "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), "Aaj Ki Raat" from Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and "Bol Na Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

She sang on the Academy Award-winning song "Jai Ho" for A. R. Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Specifically, she sang the Hindi words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses (most of which were sung by Sukhwinder Singh).

In the past, she rendered background vocal to the very famous Ghazal of Pankaj Udhas named Aur Ahistaa. She has also rendered her voice to many private album remixes notably Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar and Baahon Mein Chali Aao, which was originally rendered by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

Discography Film songs Hindi Year Song Film Music director Co-singer(s) 1997 "Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo (Hindustani)" Dus Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan, Dominique Cerejo 1998 "Ae Ajnabee" Dil Se.. A. R. Rahman Udit Narayan 1999 "Tumne Na Humse" Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi Vishal–Shekhar Solo "Dil Se Mere" Shekhar Ravjiani "Dillagi Dillagi" Dillagi Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Jaspinder Narula "Kya Yeh Sach Hai" Shankar Mahadevan 2000 "So Jaa Chandaa" Mission Kashmir Loy Mendonsa Solo 2001 "Chalti Hai Purvaai" Rahul Anu Malik Alka Yagnik "Hasde Hasde" Abhay Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Kamal Haasan "Naani Maa" (Lori) Moksha Rajesh Roshan Solo "Yaar Teri Bewafai" Love You Hamesha A. R. Rahman Solo "Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai" Yaadein Anu Malik Sunidhi Chauhan2002 "Har Taraf Tu Hai" Rishtey Sanjeev Darshan Shaan "Chalka Chalka Re" Saathiya A. R. Rahman Richa Sharma, Vaishali Samant "Yeh Taazgi Yeh Saadgi" Deewangee Ismail Darbar KK "Kabhie Sham Dhale" Sur – The Melody of Life M. M. Kreem Solo "Oohh Yeah" Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy KK2003 "Aao Milke Gaayen Aisa Gaana" Armaan Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayan, Amitabh Bachchan "Main Gaaon" Armaan Udit Narayan, Shaan "Tere Ishq Mein" Supari Vishal–Shekhar Vishal Dadlani "Jab Kabhi" Jhankaar Beats KK "Mera Mann" Nayee Padosan Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Solo "Chori Nahi Kee" Shankar Mahadevan "Rang De Rang De" Babul Supriyo, Shaan "Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai" Qayamat: City Under Threat Nadeem Shravan Kumar Sanu "Mera Dil Dil Toh Lele" Shaan "ABBG" Kuch Naa Kaho Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Udit Narayan "Baat Meri Suniye" Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shankar Mahadevan 2004 "Yeh Dhuaan" Charas Raju Singh Solo "Kuchh To Ho Raha Hai" Shaadi Ka Laddoo Vishal–Shekhar Shaan "Tum Kaho To" Udit Narayan "Pyar Mein Sau Uljhane Hai" Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shankar Mahadevan, Vijay Prakash, Sneha Pant "Ishq Khudai" Rudraksh Krishna, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit "Abhi Nahi Aur Kabhi" Stop! Vishal–Shekhar Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sowmya Raoh 2005 "Chup Chup Ke" Bunty Aur Babli Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Sonu Nigam "Miraksam" Waqt: The Race Against Time Anu Malik Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan "Koi Aisa Alam" Karam Vishal–Shekhar Sonu Nigam "Tu Jahaan" Salaam Namaste Sonu Nigam "Jaaniya Ve" Dus Hariharan "Dil Ke Arma Tarse" Aanch Sanjeev Darshan Sonu Nigam "Koi Aisa Alam" Karam Vishal–Shekhar Sonu Nigam2006 "I'm in Love" Neal 'n' Nikki Salim–Sulaiman Sonu Nigam "Dil Laga Na" Dhoom 2 Pritam Jolly Mukherjee, Suzanne D'Mello, Sukhbir "Aaj Ki Raat" Don: The Chase Begins Again Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Alisha Chinai, Sonu Nigam "Des Rangila" Fanaa Jatin–Lalit Solo "Chanda Chamke" Fanaa Jatin–Lalit Babul Supriyo "Rock N' Roll Soniye" Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan 2007 "Bol Na Halke Halke" Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Rahat Fateh Ali Khan "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" Shankar Mahadevan, KK, Sukhwinder Singh "Baat Pakki" Just Married Pritam Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh "Jab Chhaye" Hattrick Pritam Solo "Zara Gungunalein" Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Shantanu Moitra Babul Supriyo "Tenu Leke" Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Sonu Nigam "Ta Ra Rum Pum" Ta Ra Rum Pum Vishal–Shekhar Shaan "Teri Yaadein" Kaisay Kahein... Pritam Sukhwinder Singh 2008 "Jai Ho" Slumdog Millionaire A. R. Rahman Sukhwinder Singh, Vijay Prakash, Tanvi Shah "Gup Chup" One Two Three Raghav Sachar Raghav Sachar "Jo Gumshuda" Mission Istaanbul Anu Malik Shaan, Ege "Oh Ho Sanam" Dasavathaaram (D) Himesh Reshammiya Shaan "Falak Tak Chal" Tashan Vishal–Shekhar Udit Narayan "Pyar Ki Dastan" Luck by Chance Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Amit Paul2009 "Mujh Jaisa Hero" Love Khichdi Pritam Gopal Rao "Maza Aa Gaya" Victory Anu Malik Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Sudesh Bhosle, Sumitra Iyer, Altaf Raja 2010 "Sadka Kiya" I Hate Luv Storys Vishal–Shekhar Suraj Jagan "Chal Chal Bhosle Market" Khichdi: The Movie Raju Singh Shaan "Tera Mera Pyar" Action Replayy Pritam Karthik "Charha De Rang" Yamla Pagla Deewana Nouman Javaid Ali Pervez Mehdi, Shweta Pandit, Rahul Seth 2011 "Laung da Lashkara" (orig&remix) Patiala House Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Hard Kaur, Jassi Sidhu "Rola Pe Gaya" (orig & remix) Shankar Mahadevan, Hard Kaur, Earl "Mauka" (orig & remix) Aarakshan Raman Mahadevan, Tarun Sagar, Gaurav Gupta, Rehan Khan2012 "Bechayan Sapne" Chittagong Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Abhijeet Sawant, Gulraj Singh, Sameer Khan, Shankar Mahadevan "Khud Ko Tere" 1920: Evil Returns Chirantan Bhatt Solo "Meri Duniya Terey Dam Se" Delhi Safari Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shekhar Ravjiani, Shivam Mahadevan2014 "Concert Song" 2 States Solo "Do Akhiyyan" Badlapur Boys Sachin Gupta Shaan "Nakhriley" Kill Dil Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Ali Zafar, Shankar Mahadevan, Gulzar2015 "Dooriyan" I Love Desi Sham Balkar Javed Ali, Sonu Kakkar2018 "Heer" Baa Baaa Black Sheep Gourav-Roshin-Shaan Mika Singh2019 "Beimani Se" Gone Kesh Bishakh Jyoti Solo

Assamese

Tamil

Telugu + Year MovieSongComposer(s)Writer(s)Co-artist(s)1999Oke Okkadu (D)"Nelluri Nerajana"A. R. Rahman2000Ammo! Okato Tareekhu"Nee Aakupacha"Vandemataram SrinivasAzad"Kala Anuko Kaladanuko"Mani SharmaChoosoddaam Randi"Anda Linda Brahmanda"M. M. Keeravani"Dumuvulu"Priyuralu Pilichindi (D)"Thongi Choose"A. R. RahmanSakutumba Saparivaara Sametam"Pachi Venna Thechi"S. V. Krishna ReddySardukupodaam Randi"Kothimeera Puvvulanti"2001Chocklet (D)"Suyodhana Duryodhana"Deva"Oh Priya Oh Pirya"Deevinchandi"Chilakamma Chilakamma"S. A. Rajkumar"Ammammo Chaligavundi"Jabili"Achamaina Telugu"S. V. Krishna ReddyManasantha Nuvve"Dhin Dhin Dhinak"R. P. PatnaikMuthyam"Nooziveedu Mamidi"Vandemataram SrinivasNinnu Choodalani"Ye Chota Nenunna"S. A. Rajkumar2002Bharatasimha Reddy"Malli Malli"Indhra"Dhaayi Dhaayi Dhamma"Mani SharmaKalalu Kandham Raa"Siri Siri Muvvala"Ramesh ErraPremaku Swagatam"Andhaka Yuvarani"S. V. Krishna ReddyRahashyam (D)"Ee Nagarame"Nadeem–Shravan"Jillumantondhi""Kantiki Edhuruga""Needu Premenule""Evevo Baashalu""Neelanti Jodu"2003Chantigadu"Okkasari Pilichavante"Vandemataram SrinivasNeetho Vastha"Kalasina Tholakari"M. M. SrilekhaPraanam"Nindu Noorella"KamalakarTagore"Manmadha Manmadha"Mani Sharma2004Adavi Ramudu"Aakasham Sakshiga"Mani SharmaAnji"Gumma Gulabi Komma"Lakshmi Narasimha"Pappesuko Charesuko""Naathothi Neeku"Mee Intikoste Em Istaaru Maa Intkoste Em Testaaru"Chammaku Chakkera"Ghantadi KrishnaSamba"Luxemburg Lux Sundari"Mani SharmaVidyardhi"Andhra Khiladi"2005Allari Pidugu"Ongolu Githaro"Athadu"Chandamama"Balu"Athi Methani"Jai Chiranjeeva"Thumsup Thunder"Narasimhudu"Mudhoche Kopalu"Orey Pandu"Aakasha Veedhilo"Anand Raaj Anand"Come Come"Subash Chandra Bose"Neredu Pallu"Mani Sharma2006Dhoom 2 (D)"Raajukunna Segalalona"PritamPokiri"Choododdu Antunna"Mani SharmaRaghavan (D)"Hrudayame"Harris JayarajRamalayam Veedhilo Madhumathi"Churukanti"KishanRanam"Varevva"Mani SharmaStalin"Go Go Gova Maguva"Style"Thadava Thadavaku"Veerabhadra"Jujibeelallo"2007Munna"Manasa Nuvvunde"(Film)Harris Jayaraj"Manasa Nuvvunde"(Humming)Ta Ra Rum Pum (D)"Ta Ra Ram Pum"Vishal–Shekhar"Hey Shonaa Hey Shonaa"2008Chintakayala Ravi"Shava Shava Bhalle"Vishal–Shekhar"Endhuko Tholi"Dasavathaaram (D)"Oh Sanama Ho Sanam"Himesh Reshammiya"Oh Sanam Ho Sanam"(Remix)Krishna"Dil Maange More"ChakriSalute"Endammaya"Harris Jayaraj2009Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam"Abbacha"Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy2012Brothers (D)"Kommalanni Poovai"Harris JayarajJaved Ali2019Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (D)"Naa Raja"Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy"Rae Raelae Re"

Bengali Year Song Film Music director Co-singer(s) 2006 "Mon Dole" Ghatak Jeet Gannguli Shaan 2009 "Bolo Piya" Saat Paake Bandha Jeet Gannguli Sonu Nigam 2012 "Tore Niye Jai" Khokababu Rishi Chanda Zubeen Garg 2012 "Guti Guti Paye" Bikram Singha Shree Pritam Shaan 2012 "Dhuan Dhuan" Bikram Singha Shree Pritam Shaan 2012 "Sajna Paas Aa Tu Jara" Idiot Shree Pritam Shaan 2012 "Jhor Othe Mone" Idiot Shree Pritam Zubeen Garg 2013 "O Bondhu Amar" Khoka 420 Shree Pritam Shaan 2013 "Govinda Jay Jay" Khoka 420 Shree Pritam Abhijeet Bhattacharya 2013 "Pagal Ami Already" Khiladi Shree Pritam Zubeen Garg 2018 "Mon E Kemon" Wrong Route Dev Sen Imran Mahmudul 2018 "Ja Hobe Dekha" Raja Rani Raji Lincon Shaan

Marathi + Marathi Film Songs Year Song Film Music director Co-singer(s) 2006 "Naach Gaanyacha Rang" Nana Mama Sachin Sanghvi Solo 2011 "Mala Sang Na" Sharyat Chinar - Mahesh Solo 2014 "Daatale Reshami" Timepass Chinar - Mahesh Chinar Kharkar 2015 "Angat Rangat" Kaay Raav Tumhi Kanak Raj Solo 2015 "Praju" Timepass 2 Chinar - Mahesh Rishikesh Kamerkar 2015 "Sune Sune" Welcome Zindagi Soumil Shringarpure-Siddharth Mahadevan Solo 2015 "Abhas Ha" 3:56 Killari Chinar - Mahesh Solo 2018 "Runa Zuna" Memory Card Mitesh-Pritesh Javed Ali 2018 "Halwa Halwa" Jaga Vegli Antyatra Rohan Pradhan & Rohan Gokhale Siddharth Mahadevan

Kannada + Kannada Film Songs Year Song Film Music director Co-singer(s) 2003 "Ee Nanna Kannaane" Abhi Gurukiran Udit Narayan 2004 "Ninna Mareyalare" Kanchana Ganga S. A. Rajkumar Udit Narayan 2007 "Yeko Yeno" Arasu Joshua Sridhar Solo 2008 "Dheem Dheem" Accident V. Harikrishna Sonu Nigam 2013 "Yarigu Kanada Kamana Billina" Mandahasa Veer Samarth Karthik2018 "Nee Yaaro Nanage" Amma I Love You Gurukiran Santhosh Venky "Minugo Putta Taregale" Saahasa Makkalu Sharath Bilinele

Non-film songs

Awards and nominations

Apart from the above awards, Mahalakshmi has also been conferred upon by the following: Alpha award for Best Playback for Adhar Maharashtra Kala Niketan Award for Suna Yeti Ghaara