In the late '90s, a young Gurukiran came to Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. After 25 years in the industry and witnessing its transformation from film reels to social media, Gurukiran shares, "Initially, I faced difficulties being accepted here as I didn't conform to the typical image expected." Reflecting on his journey in a conversation with us, he discusses the pressure of creating hit songs, establishing his unique style, and more. "I used to frequent theaters to understand the audience's music preferences." During the re-release of Upendra, Gurukiran and the film's hero and director, Upendra, joyfully watched the movie together in the theater. Recalling the past, Gurukiran reminisces about his early successes as a music director and his return to Mangaluru before the project Upendra brought him back to Bengaluru permanently. Initially, music wasn't a career path for him, but it gained significance after working on Upendra and Chitra. With the industry now more accessible to newcomers, Gurukiran notes that while breaking into the scene is easier today, sustaining success remains a challenge due to the shift of music from an art form to a commercial endeavor.In today's competitive and saturated music market, simply creating music is not enough - promoting it has become crucial for getting heard. Music directors now face requests to make music trend on platforms like reels, as if hits can be instantly created on demand. This is why Gurukiran has taken a more selective approach, focusing on projects that truly inspire him. He finds satisfaction in the enduring popularity of his music from films like A, Kariya, and Upendra. As he reflects on his career, Gurukiran emphasizes the importance of creating lasting work over chasing fleeting trends. Initially facing skepticism due to not fitting the traditional image of a music director, Gurukiran eventually earned recognition in the industry through successful projects like Apthamitra. He is proud of his track record, with a significant percentage of his work achieving commercial success and drawing audiences to cinemas through his music.