In the late '90s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Fast forward twenty-five years, the music director and composer, who has witnessed the industry's transition from film reels to social media, reveals, "Initially, I faced challenges gaining acceptance here. I didn't conform to the typical image." In a conversation with us, he discusses the pressure of producing hit songs, how he established his own niche over time, and more. "I used to frequent theaters to gauge the audience's musical preferences." During the re-release of Upendra, two familiar faces were spotted at the theater: the film's star and director, Upendra, and music director, Gurukiran. "The occasion brought back memories of when Uppi and I had first observed the audience's reaction during Upendra's original release in 1999," reminisces Guru. "Although I had already achieved my first hit as a music director, I returned to Mangaluru until the movie Upendra came my way. As a composer, I honed my skills by observing audience reactions at theaters, especially for mass films. The music of Upendra garnered an incredible response, with the audio rights fetching a massive sum of 54 lakh rupees at that time. Despite the success of my music, I initially preferred returning to Mangaluru after completing my work. It wasn't until Upendra and Chitra that I decided to permanently settle in Bengaluru. Initially, music wasn't a career option for me; it only became serious after these films. Singing was actually my primary dream," Gurukiran reveals. "Entering the industry is comparatively easier today, but sustaining oneself remains a challenge." "The industry today is more inclusive of newcomers, offering a fair playing field. However, achieving success is one aspect, while maintaining it is another. Music has transitioned from art to commerce, where sustainability is key."In today's highly competitive music industry, simply creating music is no longer sufficient. It is essential to also invest in promoting it to ensure that it reaches a wider audience. Requests from individuals asking music directors to make a particular piece of music popular on platforms like reels give the impression that hits can be manufactured on demand. In light of this, Gurukiran has chosen to slow down and only take on projects that truly inspire him. He finds joy in the fact that his music from iconic films like A, Kariya, and Upendra remains relevant and fresh even after many years. At this stage of his life, what matters most to Gurukiran is the satisfaction of creating music that stands the test of time.

Gurukiran recalls that he faced challenges when he first entered the industry, as he did not fit the conventional mold that was expected of music directors. Despite his initial struggles, he gradually gained recognition through successful projects like Apthamitra. Over the years, he has achieved a 70% success rate, with 44% of the films he has worked on running for over 100 days in theaters. Gurukiran emphasizes the significant role that music plays in attracting audiences to cinemas.