In the late 1990s, a young Gurukiran arrived in Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Now, twenty-five years later, the music director and composer reflects on his journey in the industry, from the transition of film reels to social media platforms. Initially facing challenges due to not fitting the conventional image, he discusses the pressure of creating hit songs and how he established his unique place in the industry. Gurukiran used to observe audience reactions in theaters to understand what music resonated with viewers, a practice he continued even during the re-release of the film Upendra, where he shared a nostalgic moment with the film's hero and director. His career took off after the success of Upendra and Chitra, leading him to permanently relocate to Bengaluru. While he initially didn't consider music as a serious career option and aimed to become a singer, his experiences in the industry reshaped his path. Gurukiran acknowledges the industry's current openness to newcomers but emphasizes that achieving and maintaining success are distinct challenges, with music now being driven more by commercial interests than artistic expression.Nowadays, the music industry is highly competitive, with everyone striving to stand out in a market that is overflowing with creations. Merely producing music is not sufficient; one must also invest in promoting it to ensure it reaches its audience. Requests like "make this trending on reels" are commonplace, suggesting a belief that hits can be artificially generated. This realization prompted me to slow down and selectively choose projects that ignite my passion. I find joy in knowing that my music from movies like A, Kariya, and Upendra still resonates today, decades later. At this point in my career, what truly matters to me is the satisfaction of creating enduring pieces,” shares Gurukiran.

In the past, Gurukiran faced challenges when starting out, as he didn't conform to traditional expectations of a music director. Initially, he wasn't readily accepted, with doubts cast upon his capabilities due, in part, to his appearance. The industry held certain stereotypes of what a music director should look like, such as having slick hair, wearing white attire, and displaying vibhuti on their foreheads. Being different from this norm led to skepticism about his seriousness. However, with time and successful projects like Apthamitra, perceptions changed in his favor. Gurukiran takes pride in his track record, noting that 70% of his work has been successful and 44% of the films he has worked on have had runs exceeding 100 days. He emphasizes the vital role of music in attracting audiences to cinemas.