In the late 1990s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Now, after twenty-five years of experience as a music director and composer, witnessing the industry's transformation from film reels to social media reels, he shares, "Initially, I faced difficulty being accepted here. I didn't quite fit the image." In a recent conversation with us, he talks about the challenges of creating hit songs, how he established his unique style over the years, and more. "I used to frequent theaters to gauge the audience's musical preferences."

During the re-release of Upendra, the film's protagonist and director, Upendra, along with Gurukiran were filled with joy in the movie theater. "It took me back 25 years when Upendra and I first visited theaters to observe the audience's reactions during the original release in 1999," recalls Gurukiran. "At that time, I had just scored my first hit as a music director with another film, but I soon returned to Mangaluru until the opportunity to work on Upendra arose. As a music director, I discovered the importance of visiting theaters to understand what type of background music connects well with audiences, particularly in mass-oriented movies. The music of Upendra received an extraordinary response, with the audio rights fetching a substantial sum of 54 lakh rupees, a significant amount at that time. Despite the success of my music, I wasn't eager to settle in Bengaluru; I preferred returning to Mangaluru once my work there was completed. It wasn't until after my work on Upendra and Chitra that I felt compelled to permanently move to Bengaluru. Initially, music wasn't a serious career choice for me; it only became so after working on these films. Surprisingly, my main aspiration was to become a singer," shares Gurukiran. "While breaking into the industry may be easier in present times, maintaining success remains a challenge."

"The industry today is more inclusive towards newcomers, providing a level playing field for everyone. However, achieving success is one matter, and sustaining it is another. Music has gradually shifted from being an artistic expression to a more commercially driven endeavor."In today's highly competitive music industry, simply creating music is no longer enough. It has become essential to invest in promoting one's work to ensure it reaches the audience. From requesting songs to trend on social media platforms like Reels, there seems to be a belief that hits can be easily manufactured. Recognizing this trend, musician Gurukiran has chosen to slow down and focus on projects that genuinely inspire him. He takes pride in the fact that his music from films such as A, Kariya, and Upendra still remains relevant and fresh even after decades. For Gurukiran, creating lasting music that brings satisfaction is now what matters the most.

Gurukiran reflects on the challenges he faced at the beginning of his career, noting that he did not conform to the traditional image of a music director. Despite initial doubts and hesitations from the industry due to his unconventional appearance, he persevered and proved himself through successful projects like Apthamitra. Over time, he gained acceptance and appreciation, with a significant majority of his works achieving success and many films running for over 100 days due to the impactful music he composed, highlighting the crucial role of music in attracting audiences to theaters.