‘Dhurandhar’ Composer Shashwat Sachdev on Building Bollywood’s Biggest Duology: ‘It Was Always One Emotional Journey, One Sonic Travel’

Composer Shashwat Sachdev approached the music for the cinematic saga "Dhurandhar" as a single, unified journey. This was because the project began as one sprawling film, with one script and one protagonist's arc, before the decision was made in post-production to split the narrative into two parts. By that time, Sachdev's score had already been conceived to travel the full emotional distance. This foundational cohesion is now evident in the success of the second installment, "Dhurandhar: The Revenge," a major box office hit, and in the streaming popularity of its songs like "Aari Aari" and "Jaiye Sajna" on platforms such as Spotify India.

The film's director, Aditya Dhar—previously known for the blockbuster war film "Uri: The Surgical Strike"—and producers Jio Studios and B62 Studios, crafted a story following an undercover Indian intelligence agent navigating Karachi's underworld and geopolitical tensions. Shot as one continuous project but released as two films, this structure fundamentally shaped the music. "The music naturally came from one unified idea," Sachdev explains. "We were never composing with the intention of dividing it into two films. It was always one emotional journey, one sonic travel." This approach ensured a consistent musical identity, with tracks like "FA9LA" serving as a through-line across both releases.

For the sequel, Sachdev expanded the sonic palette with a larger orchestra and a hundred-piece choir, but emphasizes that the real growth was in emotional detail rather than mere spectacle. "The choir wasn't just for grandeur, it colored emotion," he notes. The soundtrack, which blends cinematic orchestration with electronic production and Indian classical influences, maintains cohesion through a shared melodic foundation beneath its surface variety. The project also featured a wider collaborative canvas, with multiple composers and artists contributing under Sachdev's overarching vision, and music rights were acquired by the giant Indian music label T-Series.

Navigating the modern expectation for film music to function both as narrative architecture and a standalone streaming product requires a careful balance. "It's always a balance between immersion and accessibility," Sachdev tells Variety. He views strong streaming numbers as a welcome byproduct of honest songwriting, not a primary objective. "We don't design repeat value. If the music is honest, people return to it naturally." This philosophy is supported by his dual training in Hindustani classical music, which provides emotional depth, and Western classical piano, which offers structural discipline. Industry experts note that this cross-cultural fluency is becoming increasingly valuable as India's film music market grows more integrated with global streaming trends.

Reflecting on his career, which includes early work in Hollywood and a National Film Award for his score on "Uri," Sachdev credits these experiences with raising his internal standards and shifting his focus from external validation to personal growth. His current evolution is less about technical skill and more about creative mindset. "I've started enjoying the process more... That shift has made the music feel more alive," he says. Looking ahead, his ambitions are geared toward international collaboration, which he sees as a meaningful exchange of musical worlds. For Sachdev, whether scoring one film or two, the core intent remains the same: to build a resonant, honest sonic world that stands on its own.