From Jaipur to Hollywood: How Shashwat Sachdev Redefined the Modern Indian Film Score
In short: Born in Jaipur and trained in both Hindustani classical vocals and Western piano, Shashwat Sachdev has become a transformative force in Indian cinema. After launching his career in Los Angeles, he returned to India to blend traditional roots with global production techniques, earning national accolades and reshaping the sound of Bollywood.
Shashwat Sachdev’s musical journey began early, with training in tabla at age three, followed by years of Hindustani classical instruction under Ustad Ramzan Khan. This foundation in the Sikar gharana tradition was later complemented by formal study of Western classical piano. After completing a five-year law degree at Symbiosis Law School in Pune, Sachdev moved to Hollywood in 2011, where he spent five years working on diverse projects before returning to India in 2016.
His breakthrough in Indian cinema arrived quickly. By 2017, he was composing for the film Phillauri, and by 2019, his work on the action film Uri: The Surgical Strike earned him widespread acclaim. His background score for the film was so well-received that it was released as a standalone project, securing him the Best Background Music award at the 66th National Film Awards and the 21st IIFA Awards. His versatility extends beyond traditional film scoring; in 2021, he won Best World Production Music at the London-based Production Music Awards for his track 'Dharma'.
Sachdev’s recent work demonstrates a penchant for modernizing nostalgic melodies. His 2025 soundtrack for Dhurandhar, featuring artists like Arijit Singh and Hanumankind, was praised for its fresh, tightly woven integration of retro sounds into contemporary action drama. While critics noted that the 2026 sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, adopted a darker, grittier tone, his ability to bridge generations remains a hallmark of his style. Currently, he continues to expand his portfolio with upcoming projects like The Indian House and Operation Ganga.
The composer’s influence is also felt in the independent music scene, where he has worked with the label IndieA Records to support new talent. Whether through his work on Netflix originals like Selection Day or his collaboration with Hans Zimmer on the BBC series Virdee, Sachdev’s career reflects a deliberate synthesis of his classical upbringing and his international professional experience.
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