Music has shifted from a creative pursuit to one driven by business: Gurukiran

In the late ’90s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to help friends with film music. Twenty-five years on, the music director and composer, who has seen the industry evolve from film reels to social media reels, tells us, “I wasn’t easily accepted here initially. I didn’t fit the image.” In a chat with us, he reflects on the pressure of delivering hit songs, how he carved out his own niche along the way, and more...

‘I used to visit theatres to find out what music resonates with viewers'On the day of Upendra's re-release, two happy faces were in the theatre: the film's hero and director, Upendra, and music director, Gurukiran. “It took me back 25 years to when Uppi and I had first gone to the theatres to see the audience’s reaction during Upendra’s original release in 1999,” recalls Guru. “By that time, A movie had already released, giving me my first hit as a music director. But soon after, I went back to Mangaluru until the movie Upendra came my way. Also, as a music director, I learned to visit theatres to understand what kind of background music resonates with audiences, especially for mass films. Upendra’s music received such an overwhelming response that the audio rights were sold for `54 lakh — an enormous sum back then. Yet, I wasn’t keen on staying in Bengaluru despite the success of my music; I’d return to Mangaluru as soon as my work was done. It wasn’t until after Upendra and Chitra that I was compelled to shift here permanently. Music wasn’t even a career option for me initially; it became serious only after these films. In fact, my biggest dream was to become a singer,” Gurukiran shares.
‘Breaking into the industry is easier much today, but sustaining is a challenge'“The industry today is more welcoming to newcomers, with a level playing field for all. However, finding success is one thing and sustaining it is another. Music has increasingly shifted from an art form to a commercial endeavour, with everyone competing to stand out in an oversaturated market. These days, it’s not enough to just create music; you also have to invest in promoting it to ensure it gets heard. People come to music directors with requests like, ‘make this trending on reels,’ as though hits can be manufactured on demand. That’s why I’ve slowed down. I only take on projects that inspire me. I take pleasure in knowing that my music from films like A, Kariya, and Upendra still feels fresh after decades. At this stage in my life, what matters most is the satisfaction of creating something lasting,” says Gurukiran.

‘When I started out, I wasn’t easily accepted; people thought I did not fit the mould’“Despite proving myself as a music director, it took time for the industry to fully accept me. People didn’t take me seriously at first, partly because of how I looked. Back then, music directors were expected to have well-oiled hair, wear white outfits, and sport vibhuti on their foreheads. I didn’t fit that image, and many assumed that I wasn’t serious. But with time and hits like Apthamitra, things turned in my favour. I’m proud that 70 per cent of my work has been successful, with 44 per cent of the films running for over 100 days. Music plays a huge role in drawing people to theatres,” he shares.


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