A friend recommended him to the filmmaker Gulzar, with whom he collaborated on TV serials such as Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland and Guchche. Vishal composed the music for Maachis, a film directed by Gulzar. The musical score for Maachis was received to critical and commercial acclaim and earned Vishal the Filmfare R D Burman Award in 1996.

Since then, Vishal has scored music for several Hindi films such as Satya, Chachi 420 and a host of other popular projects. He is among the top music directors of the film industry and is known for doing quality work.

Vishal Bhardwaj turned director with his children’s film Makdee. He then made the first of his Shakespearean adaptation, Maqbool, based on Macbeth. This was followed up by yet another children’s film, The Blue Umbrella based on Ruskin Bond’s story of the same name.

Omkara marked the second of Vishal’s Shakespearan endeavours, this time an adaptation of Othello.

As Director :

1. Blood Brothers (2007)
2. Omkara (2006)
3. Chatri Chor (2005)
4. Maqbool (2003) (as Vishal Bhardwaj)
5. Makdee (2002)

As Producer :

1. No Smoking (2007) (producer)
2. Chatri Chor (2005) (co-producer)
3. Makdee (2002) (producer)

As writer :

1. Dus Kahaniyaan (2007) (post-production) (dialogue) (story) (screenplay)
2. Omkara (2006) (screenplay and dialogue)
3. Chatri Chor (2005)
4. Maqbool (2003) (dialogue) (as Vishal Bhardwaj) (screenplay) (as Vishal Bhardwaj)
5. Makdee (2002) (dialogue) (screenplay)

As Composer :

1. U, Me Aur Hum (2008) (filming) (original music by)
2. No Smoking (2007)
3. Nishabd (2007)
4. Omkara (2006)
5. Chatri Chor (2005)
6. Ramji Londonwaley (2005)
7. Bhagmati (2005)
8. Kagaar: Life on the Edge (2003)
9. Paanch (2003)
10. Chupke Se (2003)
11. Maqbool (2003) (as Vishal Bhardwaj)
12. Danav (2003) (as Vishal Bhardwaj)
13. Makdee (2002)
14. Mulaqaat (2002)
15. Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001)
16. Choo Lenge Akash (2001)
17. Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! (2000) (as Vishal)
18. Hu Tu Tu (1999) (as Vishal)
19. Godmother (1999) (as Vishal)
20. Jahan Tum Le Chalo (1999)
21. Satya (1998) (as Vishal Bhardwaj)
22. Chachi 420 (1998) (as Vishal)
23. Daya (1998)
24. Sham Ghansham (1998)
25. Betaabi (1997) (as Vishal)
26. Tunnu Ki Tina (1997)
27. Maachis (1996) (as Vishal)
28. Sanshodhan (1996)