In 2021, Jaskaran Singh, a relatively unknown singer in the regional music scene, performed at a private event for Bollywood music aficionados in Bengaluru. The Ludhiana native left the audience spellbound with his rendition of ‘Anisuthide Yako Indu’, a beloved melody from the 2007 Kannada blockbuster film *Mungaru Male*, directed by Yogaraj Bhat. This film had launched actor Ganesh into stardom, and Sonu Nigam’s soulful voice in the song firmly rooted it in the annals of Kannada cinema as one of the most celebrated love anthems.
Fast forward three years, and Jaskaran Singh has unlocked his most significant achievement yet by rendering his voice for ‘Dwapara’, a melody from the newly-released Kannada film *Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi*. The track, featuring Ganesh and Malavika Nair, has created waves across various platforms.
“My Spotify data tells me the song has been heard by hundreds of people in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Haryana,” says Jaskaran, who has become a favorite among Kannada film music lovers. Recognized by composer Arjun Janya during a reality show, Jaskaran had sung only one Kannada song before this breakthrough moment.
‘Dwapara’ has sparked a social media frenzy, with numerous Instagram Reels set to its tune. In a few days after its release, the song transcended language barriers and charmed audiences on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Accumulating over 30 million views on YouTube, the song not only became a viral hit but also lured audiences to theaters, propelling *Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi* to become one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of 2024.
The director of *Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi*, Srinivas Raju, shares insights into his bold decision to use ‘Dwapara’ as the sole promotional content before the film’s release. “We didn’t reveal a teaser or a trailer. I can’t recall the last Kannada film that didn’t even have a trailer before release! My team thought I was taking a huge risk, but I was resolute,” says Raju.
“For me, any promotional material is an invitation to the audience. So, I wanted to draw people to the movie halls with just one song. Because music is the backbone of any love story; be it in *A Star is Born* or *Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!*, the songs made the difference,” he explains.
Music director Arjun Janya articulates his vision behind the composition, highlighting that it captures the excitement of a man in love. “The protagonist sees this beautiful woman and is mesmerized by her. He wants that feeling to remain forever.
. That’s why, if you notice, the song has a long Pallavi,” he elaborates.
The unique combination of dholak rhythms and tuneful shehnai adds a rich layer to the track. “The director briefed me clearly: the protagonist sees the heroine as a goddess. Instead of sticking to Indian classical music, I opted for Sufi music, characterized by tables, dholaks, and shehnai,” shares Janya.
Srinivas Raju was adamant about the sounds incorporated in the song. “In the last few years, we’ve heard a lot of high-voltage Western music. I wanted Indian instruments for this song to keep it simple yet effective,” he notes.
The lyrical composition by V Nagendra Prasad blends seamlessly with the song’s hook. The lines ‘Jena Daniyole Meena Kannole’ (The one with a mellifluous sound and beautiful eyes) flowed naturally to the experienced lyricist’s mind. “I aimed to encapsulate the hero’s admiration for his special one. The song’s craze has taught me that simplicity is key. People have a special affection for songs with complete Kannada lyrics,” Prasad observes.
Shot in Bengaluru and the picturesque locales of Vietnam, ‘Dwapara’ is visually captivating. “I instructed the cinematographer, Venkat Prasad, to steer clear of odd angles and jerky movements. I wanted the song to be colorful and serene. Recent films have overdosed on visual jerks owing to action dramas, so I sought to bring a semblance of calm on-screen,” says Srinivas Raju.
Ganesh, who has a remarkable knack for expressing nuanced emotions in songs, adds another layer of magic to ‘Dwapara’. “It’s refreshing to write a song for Ganesh sir because he elevates it brilliantly,” says Nagendra Prasad. Despite not being particularly known for his dancing skills, Ganesh impressed fans with the song’s hook steps, which took four to five days of rehearsals, as revealed by Srinivas Raju.
The actor’s career, which had been stagnant for a considerable time, has received a much-needed boost with the success of *Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi*. Relieved fans believe that Ganesh’s golden days are back. The viral success of just one song has put this talented actor back in the spotlight, and it will be fascinating to watch his next moves in the industry.
