In the late 1990s, 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 transformation from film reels to social media reels, shares, "Initially, I faced acceptance challenges here as I didn't conform to the typical image." In our conversation, he discusses the pressure of producing hit songs, his journey in establishing a unique style, and more. "I used to frequent cinemas to gauge audience preferences in music," he recalls.
During the re-release of Upendra, two familiar faces were spotted in the theater: the film's star and director, Upendra, and music director, Gurukiran. "It was a nostalgic moment, taking me back 25 years when Uppi and I observed the audience's reaction during Upendra's original release in 1999," Guru reminisces. "After scoring my first hit as a music director with a previous movie, I returned to Mangaluru until the opportunity with Upendra arose. Understanding audience sentiments through theater visits became an essential practice for me, especially for mass films. Upendra's music received overwhelming praise, leading to the lucrative sale of audio rights for ₹54 lakh — a significant sum at the time. Despite my music success, I was hesitant to settle in Bengaluru initially, preferring to return to Mangaluru after completing my work. It was only after Upendra and Chitra that I felt compelled to permanently relocate here. Initially, music wasn't a serious career consideration for me; it gained significance after my experiences with these films. My primary aspiration was to become a singer," Gurukiran shares. "While breaking into the industry is more accessible today, maintaining longevity remains a challenge. The current industry landscape offers equal opportunities to newcomers but sustaining success requires dedication. Music has transitioned from an artistic expression to a commercial pursuit."These days, in a crowded market where everyone is striving to distinguish themselves, simply creating music is not sufficient. It has become essential to also invest in promoting your work to ensure it reaches a wide audience. Requests from individuals asking music directors to make their music go viral on platforms like reels give the impression that successful songs can be manufactured at will. This is why I have adopted a slower pace and now only undertake projects that genuinely inspire me. The satisfaction of creating enduring work is what I value most at this point in my career," notes Gurukiran. Back when Gurukiran first started his musical journey, he faced challenges in gaining acceptance. Many doubted his suitability for the industry due to his unconventional appearance. Unlike the traditional image of music directors at that time, Gurukiran did not have slick hair, wear white clothes, or display vibhuti on his forehead. This led to initial skepticism about his commitment and talent. However, with perseverance and successes like the music for Apthamitra, he gradually earned recognition and respect. Gurukiran proudly reflects that the majority of his projects have been successful, with nearly half of them running in theaters for over 100 days. He emphasizes the significant role music plays in attracting audiences to cinemas.