Mikey McCleary

Michael McCleary is a New Zealand songwriter, composer and producer based in Mumbai. He is known for Khoya Khoya Chand and Hawa Hawai from Shaitan, Neend Na Mujhko Aaye and Eena Meena Deeka from Shaandaar, Fifi from Bombay Velvet, O Lal Meri / Mast Kalandar from David and Dhak Dhak from Nautanki Saala. He has also released an album of full-length versions of some of his most popular advertisement jingles called TV Dinners.

Personal life Michael McCleary is a New Zealander who was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is married to writer and actress Diksha Basu.

Career McCleary began his career in the Indian industry with a collaboration with Lucky Ali. He was responsible for the music arrangement for the album Sunoh and several subsequent Lucky Ali albums and he has also worked regularly with A. R. Rahman.

He composed & produced all the tracks and background music for the film Waiting. In 2015 he won the Best Composer Award for the film Margarita with a Straw at the Asian Film Awards. He also created the background score for Dibakar Banerjee's 2012 political thriller Shanghai as well as contributing music for several other films including Shaitan, Kahaani, Love Sex aur Dhokha, Shaandaar, Bombay Velvet and Chennai Express. He composed the background score and a few tracks for Bejoy Nambiar's second film, David and then turned into a full-fledged Bollywood music director for Rohan Sippy's 2013 film, Nautanki Saala. He also created the background score and one track for the 2014 film, Shaadi Ke Side Effects.

Going by the stage name of The Bartender, McCleary has three albums released, Classic Bollywood: Shaken not Stirred (2011), B Seventy (2013) and Classic Bollywood with a Twist (2014).

TV Dinners was McCleary's debut album of English songs. Featuring his own vocals on half the album, it also features the singers Anushka Manchanda, Shalmali Kholgade, Monica Dogra and Mauli Dave. Five music videos directed by him have been released for tracks from this album.

In 2024, McCleary launched an all-girl Indian pop group, named W.i.S.H. The group consisted of Ri, Suchi, Zo and Sim. The group released its first song Lazeez on 1 March.

Discography

Music albums Artist Position AlbumLucky AliMusic Arrangement Sunoh Sifar Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai Aks Xsuie Raasta ManA. R. RahmanCo-Producer Pray for Me BrotherThe BartenderMusic Composer and producer Classic Bollywood: Shaken not StirredThe BartenderMusic Composer and producer B SeventyThe BartenderMusic Composer and producer Classic Bollywood with a TwistMikey McClearyMusic Composer and producerTV Dinners

Films Can't Hold it any Longer Music Revamped and Produced Background score composer – Hindi and Tamil versions Out of Control Mast KalandarNautanki Saala Songs revamped and Produced Song Composer Background score composer Dhak Dhak Mera mann Kehne Laga Tu Hi Tu Draamebaaz Dil Ki... Toh Lag Gayi So Gaya yeh Jahan Background score composer Ahista AhistaAngry Young Man Song Composer Ek Wajah DoKuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi Song composer Chop ChopPizza Song composer Gimme Pizza!2015Bombay VelvetSongs revamped and Produced Mohobbat Buri Bimari FifiMargarita with a Straw Song composer Background score composer Foreign Balamwa Choone Chali Aasman I Need a ManShaandaarMusic revamped and Produced Neend Na Mujhko aaye Eena Meena DeekaWaiting Song composer Background score composer Tu Hai Toh Main Hoon Zara Zara Got My Eyes on You Background score composer "Nashe Si Chadh Gayi" "Ude Dil Befikre" "Je T'aime" "You & Me" "Labon Ka Karobaar" "Khulke Dulke" "Love Is a Dare" (Instrumental)