In the late 1990s, a young Gurukiran came to Gandhinagar to assist friends with film music. Twenty-five years later, the accomplished music director and composer reflects on his journey in the industry, from the era of film reels to the age of social media reels. "Initially, I faced challenges fitting into the industry's expectations," he admits. In a recent conversation, he discusses the demands of creating hit songs, establishing his unique style, and more. "I used to frequent theaters to gauge what kind of music resonated with audiences," he shares.

During the re-release of the film "Upendra," Gurukiran found himself in the audience alongside the film's lead actor and director, Upendra. "It brought back memories of our first visit to the theaters when the movie was originally released in 1999," recalls Gurukiran. After his initial success with his first hit film, he temporarily returned to Mangaluru until the opportunity to work on "Upendra" emerged. Through this project, he learned the importance of understanding audience preferences in music production, especially for mass films. The overwhelming response to the music of "Upendra," which fetched a significant sum for audio rights, played a role in his decision to relocate permanently to Bengaluru.

Initially, Gurukiran did not view music as a serious career option but rather as a passion, with aspirations of becoming a singer. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasizes the evolution of the industry, noting that while entry barriers have reduced, maintaining success remains a significant challenge. "The industry is more inclusive towards newcomers now, but sustaining a career is a different ball game," he remarks. The commercial aspect of music has become more prominent, shifting from a pure art form to a financially-driven endeavor.In today's crowded music industry where competition is fierce, simply creating music is not enough. It has become essential to also invest in promoting one's work to ensure it reaches a wider audience. Requests to music directors now include demands like "make this go viral on social media," suggesting that creating hit songs is a formulaic process. Consequently, I have chosen to take a step back and only pursue projects that truly inspire me. Finding joy in the fact that my music, from movies such as A, Kariya, and Upendra, retains its freshness even after many years, I prioritize creating enduring works at this stage of my career,” reveals Gurukiran.

Reflecting on his journey, Gurukiran remembers the challenges he faced when he initially entered the industry. Despite proving his talent as a music director, he struggled to gain acceptance due to not conforming to the traditional image of a music director – characterized by well-groomed appearance and religious marks. Over time, however, his success with hits like Apthamitra helped change perceptions. Proud of his track record where 70 percent of his projects have been successful and 44 percent of films ran for over 100 days, Gurukiran emphasizes the significant role music plays in attracting audiences to cinemas.