In the late '90s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Now, after 25 years in the industry as a music director and composer, Gurukiran reflects on his journey from being initially unaccepted to establishing his own unique position. He discusses the challenges of creating hit songs, his approach to understanding audience preferences by visiting theaters, and his experience with the success of the movie Upendra. Despite early success, Gurukiran initially preferred to return to Mangaluru after completing his work, only later being convinced to permanently move to Bengaluru after the success of Upendra and Chitra. Gurukiran also shares that music was not his first choice of career, and his dream was to become a singer. Reflecting on the industry today, he notes that while it is easier for newcomers to enter, the real challenge lies in maintaining success amid the commercialization of music.In today's competitive music industry, it's crucial to not only create great music but also to promote it effectively. Music directors are often approached with requests to make songs trend on platforms like reels, as if hits can be manufactured on demand. Gurukiran has chosen to focus on projects that truly inspire him, finding joy in the longevity of his music from films like A, Kariya, and Upendra. He values the satisfaction of creating lasting work over chasing trends in the oversaturated market. When Gurukiran first started out, he faced challenges and was not immediately accepted by the industry due to not fitting the traditional image of a music director. However, over time and with successful projects like Apthamitra, he earned recognition and pride in his work, with a significant percentage of his films running successfully for over 100 days. His music has played a pivotal role in attracting audiences to theaters.