Vishal Mishra could give lessons in tenacity. Once a teenager who failed his Indian Idol audition, the singer/composer now counts among Bollywood’s finest. Born in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh in 1990, the artist went on to win Season 3 of Bharat Ki Shaan, earning the valued mentorship of judge and Bollywood composer Lalit Pandit along the way. Filmi compositions for 2016’s Tutak Tutak Tutiya—smooth yet inventive blends of Indian pop, R&B and hip-hop—marked him early as a maker of poignant modern melodies. But his contribution to 2019’s Kabir Singh was the real game-changer. Proving beyond doubt that romance was Vishal’s strong suit, “Kaise Hua” flooded the market with heart-melting notes and velvety vocals, helping the team behind the soundtrack win a Screen Award for Best Music and a Filmfare Award for Best Music Album. Despite the composer’s versatility (he plays nearly two dozen instruments) he ultimately champions the power of folk to resonate with local audiences, weaving traditional sensibilities into Indian pop smashes that tell human stories from diverse perspectives. On the uplifting 2020 hit “Muskurayega India”—with a video where he stood alongside an army of Bollywood stars—Vishal sang, composed, produced and arranged a celebration of Indian perseverance in the midst of a global pandemic.