In the late 1990s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Over the past twenty-five years, this music director and composer has witnessed the industry transform from film reels to social media reels. Reflecting on his journey, he mentions facing initial challenges due to not fitting the expected image. He shares insights on dealing with the pressure of creating hit songs, establishing his unique style, and more. "I used to visit theaters to gauge audience reactions to different music styles," he says. Recently, during the re-release of the film "Upendra", Gurukiran found himself in the theater with the film's hero and director, Upendra. This moment took him back to when they first observed audience reactions in the theaters during the original release in 1999. Despite early successes in his career, Gurukiran had returned to Mangaluru until he worked on "Upendra". The overwhelming response to the music in that film, which fetched a significant sum for its audio rights, played a role in his decision to permanently move to Bengaluru. Gurukiran shares that he initially didn't consider music as a serious career option and had aspired to become a singer. He notes the changes in the industry today, with a greater openness to newcomers but emphasizes the challenges of both achieving and maintaining success in the commercialized music landscape.Today, the music industry is highly competitive, with everyone vying for attention in an oversaturated market. Simply creating music is no longer sufficient; promoting it effectively is essential to ensure it reaches a wide audience. Music directors now receive requests to make songs trend on platforms like reels, as if hits can be produced on demand. In response to this environment, Gurukiran has chosen to slow down and only take on projects that truly inspire him. He finds satisfaction in the enduring appeal of his music from films such as A, Kariya, and Upendra, even years after their release. For Gurukiran, creating lasting work is now his top priority.

When Gurukiran first entered the industry, he faced challenges in being accepted due to not fitting the traditional mold. Initially, many did not take him seriously, in part because his appearance did not conform to the expectations of a music director — well-groomed hair, white attire, and marks of worship on the forehead. Despite these obstacles, Gurukiran persevered and eventually gained recognition with successful projects like Apthamitra. He takes pride in the fact that a significant portion of his work has been successful, and a large number of the films he has scored music for have enjoyed long theatrical runs. Gurukiran emphasizes the significant role music plays in attracting audiences to cinemas.