Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, continues to draw a strong audience response across markets. On its twelfth day, the film collected around Rs 30 crore net in India across languages, taking its total India net earnings to Rs 411 crore, while its worldwide box office collection has touched Rs 639 crore. Released on December 5, this spy-thriller features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, R Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi.
Music producer and composer Sayantan Guha, at the age of 27, is slowly yet steadily making his presence felt in Bollywood. His collaboration with composer Shashwat Sachdev for the soundtrack of Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar has not only generated attention towards the film but also towards the songs. Each song has managed to strike a chord with the listeners.
Who is Sayantan Guha? How life led him to music
Guha’s early life in Kolkata saw him alternate between football and music. Speaking to New Ei Samay, Guha said, “Music was always a part of my life, though initially it wasn’t something I saw as a full-time future. Football was equally important to me during my early years. However, in Class 9, I suffered a serious leg injury that forced me to stop playing for a long period. Around the same time, I went through my first heartbreak,” he remembers. “Being confined at home during that phase, music slowly became my emotional outlet and source of comfort, he said.
Leaving comfort behind to chase a dream
Guha’s shift from Kolkata’s indie world to Mumbai was not driven by some dramatic flash of genius. Instead, it’s been an act of embracing uncertainty. “It wasn’t driven by one big moment; it was more about taking a leap of faith. I knew Mumbai would be challenging, but I also knew that growth wouldn’t happen unless I stepped out of my comfort zone. Once I committed fully, the city slowly started opening doors, and that’s when things began to shift, " he states.
Stepping into the world of Dhurandhar
His association with singer Shashwat Sachdev began in a natural manner. “It started very organically. I played some of my music to Shashwat sir’s manager, including a track called “Cinematic Death” from my EP Moonquake, which I had produced independently. That first listening led to more conversations, and eventually I was brought on board,” says Guha, recalling the experience.
For him, working on Dhurandhar was like immersing himself in an “emotionally charged soundscape.” “The action sequences in Dhurandhar were quite different from what we usually hear in films, which made them challenging but exciting at the same time. We had to build a gritty, emotional soundscape that matched the intensity of the visuals,” he explained.
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The story behind ‘Gehra Hua’
‘Gehra Hua’ has been one of the most celebrated tracks from Dhurandhar, which he says was done in a very controlled manner. “‘Gehra Hua’ began with a very beautiful melody composed by Shashwat sir. My role was to shape the production around that emotion and let the song flow naturally. We were careful not to overdo anything and allowed the feeling of the track to guide us. I think that honesty is what people have connected with.”
Reimagining classics without losing their soul
Remixing songs such as “Ramba Ho” was also of great personal importance. “Growing up in Kolkata, Usha Uthup’s music was always around me,” he said, adding, “When Aditya sir referenced the track, the idea was to give it a modern, energetic treatment while keeping its soul intact. We wanted it to feel fresh for today’s audience without losing its iconic charm.” “In ‘Run Down the City – Monica,’” he credits “the vision of Shashwat Sachdev” to “support the overall musical story of the film.”
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FA9LA: How a fast choice became one of the film’s most buzzed tracks
The Bahraini rap track “FA9LA” by Flipperachi, used in Dhurandhar, originally released on May 30, 2024, under Outlaw Productions, has been one of the most sensational tracks streaming everywhere.
Guha said that it came together on a fast-paced schedule. “Sometimes these quick decisions create great energy,” FA9LA’s Guha remembers, “So I actually ended up doing some extra production work on this song that is in the movie.”
While the Dhurandhar album is continuing to make waves worldwide, the group is abuzz with excitement. “It really does feel like a World Cup-winning moment for each of us,” states Guha, his sights now firmly fixed on learning, experimenting, and telling stories through sound, with Dhurandhar playing a pivotal role in his journey.
