Shashwat Sachdev has been delivering memorable music right from the start of his career. However, Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar The Revenge (2026) elevated him to an altogether new league. The music of both films played a crucial role in amplifying their impact and taking them to dizzying heights. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the acclaimed composer opened up about creating the songs of Dhurandhar, his creative process, and much more.
The song videos of Dhurandhar proudly mentioned ‘A Shashwat Sachdev Musical’. Such honour is usually reserved for maestros like A R Rahman. Did you get a high when you saw it for the first time?
Honestly, the only thing that truly gives me a high is when the audience connects with the work. Credits are a beautiful gesture and I am deeply grateful for them, but they are not the destination. When I first started making music, I was simply trying to find my own voice. To see that voice trusted and acknowledged at this scale was emotional, not because of the title itself, but because it represented years of invisible work, mistakes, learning and persistence. More than pride, I felt responsibility. These things are meaningful only if the music lasts longer than the moment.
Do you recall your first meeting with Aditya Dhar?
Very clearly. I met Aditya for the first time in 2016. What struck me immediately was his conviction. He has always had a remarkable clarity about what he wants to say and why he wants to say it. Over the years, that conviction has only become stronger. The interesting thing is that when people see successful filmmakers, they often see confidence. What they do not see is the years of obsession, preparation and sacrifice underneath it. That was visible even in our earliest conversations.
Is there anything special you discovered about Aditya during the making of the songs of Dhurandhar that surprised you?
The biggest thing I rediscovered was his passion. As projects become larger, sometimes the scale can hide the human being behind them. During Dhurandhar, I got to witness the same hunger, intensity and emotional investment that probably drove him when he was just starting out. At the core of all great creative journeys is a person who still cares deeply. Seeing that side of him again was both inspiring and reassuring.
When did you learn that the film would be released in two parts and how did you react to it?
I learnt about it around the beginning of October and I was genuinely excited. Certain stories grow beyond their original boundaries. When that happens, it is often because the people making them believe there is more worth exploring. My reaction was simple. If the story deserved more room to breathe, then that was something to celebrate.
You’ve worked with Hans Zimmer before. Has he heard the songs of Dhurandhar? If yes, what was his feedback?
I am not sure whether Hans has heard the music yet. What was special for me personally was that I was simultaneously working on international collaborations and on Dhurandhar during a similar period of my life. As artists, we spend a lot of time trying to bridge worlds. For me, that bridge has always been about bringing an Indian emotional vocabulary into a global sonic language. That journey continues and I am excited about where it leads.
Are you expecting another National Award win not just for Dhurandhar but also Article 370 (2024)? Its songs were great while its BGM was also quite catchy…
Awards are wonderful because they acknowledge the work, but they can never be the reason for doing it. Article 370 was a project I cared deeply about and I am grateful for the love it received. The same is true for Dhurandhar. My focus has always been on creating work that remains meaningful long after the release date. If recognition follows, I am thankful. If not, the work itself still has value. I am simply grateful that audiences have embraced the music and I hope I can continue creating for the right reasons for many years to come.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Shashwat Sachdev opens up on composing Dhurandhar’s blockbuster music; reveals he learnt about the film becoming a two-part saga in October: “If the story deserved more room to breathe, that was something to celebrate” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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