Malayali musician Steve Thomas Kottoor played a crucial role in the music composition of the highly anticipated film ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge,’ collaborating closely with the director and other artists to create a soundtrack that resonates with audiences.
Mumbai-based musician Steve Thomas Kottoor, originally from Kerala, has been instrumental in the musical landscape of the recently released film ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge.’ With only two days remaining before the film’s premiere, Kottoor found himself engaged in an exhaustive work session, contributing to the film’s background score and additional music composition alongside the primary composer, Shashwat Sachdev. This intense period of collaboration coincided with the final stages of a critical climax scene, where every musical element was required to encapsulate the emotional weight of the narrative.
“I can still feel it,” Kottoor reflected on the experience. “The studio went utterly silent. We were crafting the music alongside the visuals, and as the scenes unfolded, we were all shattered—emotionally broken, in the best way. The weight of it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It was as if the film had reached its peak, and we were standing on the edge of something monumental.”
The climax of ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ has emerged as a significant talking point among audiences and critics alike, with the music being described as the film’s heartbeat. The soundtracks of both ‘Dhurandhar’ installments have garnered dedicated followings across diverse age demographics. Kottoor attributes much of this success to the visionary direction of filmmaker Aditya Dhar.
Collaboration with Director Aditya Dhar
“Director Aditya Dhar’s involvement with the music was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” said the 26-year-old Kottoor. “He worked closely with us, full-time, bringing his vision to life. Aditya wasn’t just a director; he was a musical genius. And Shashwat Sachdev, who collaborated so seamlessly with him, brought that vision to reality. It was awe-inspiring to watch them work. Aditya is a brilliant filmmaker and deeply musical.”
Kottoor noted that Dhar had a specific vision for the background score, emphasizing that it needed to evoke both emotional intensity and haunting qualities. “Shashwat and I had already envisioned the soundscape, which blended Indian beats, English rap, hip-hop, and Punjabi music. We also incorporated deep drones, subtle pulses, and minimalistic elements throughout,” he explained.
Path to ‘Dhurandhar’
Steve Kottoor’s journey to securing a role in ‘Dhurandhar 2’ began after he graduated from SH College in Thevara, Kochi, and relocated to Mumbai during the Covid pandemic. His initial foray into the music industry included working as a music production instructor and performing with the popular band Masala Coffee, followed by joining playback singer Atif Aslam’s ensemble.
“Debutant director Aryan Khan was looking for a music producer to arrange the music composed by Shashwat for his series ‘Bads of Bollywood.’ Shashwat’s manager reached out to my friend JK to ask if he knew any music producers who could work on the project. That’s when JK recommended me. He liked my work, and soon after, he told me about ‘Dhurandhar,’ adding that he would like me to be part of the team. I’ll never forget what he said when he showed me some visuals from the movie. He told me that ‘Dhurandhar’ was going to be a revolution in Indian cinema, and that its music would be remembered even 15 years later,” Kottoor recalled.
Insights from ‘Bads of Bollywood’
Reflecting on his experience working with Aryan Khan on ‘Bads of Bollywood,’ Kottoor remarked on Khan’s meticulous approach to music production. “Aryan was deeply involved in the music for the project. I vividly remember him arriving at the studio each night to review our scores. His musical knowledge was impressive—he could pinpoint even the smallest nuances that needed tweaking to elevate the overall sound. His vision was clear, and he knew exactly what he wanted musically. It was truly interesting and collaborative working with him,” he stated.
Performances with Atif Aslam
In addition to his work in film, Kottoor has traveled extensively with Atif Aslam, performing in over 30 countries at prestigious venues such as the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. “It’s been an incredible journey so far,” Kottoor said. “We’ll be heading to South Africa this Thursday with the band. Every show is housefull, and honestly, I’ve never seen such a powerful unity between Pakistanis and Indians as I’ve witnessed at an Atif Aslam concert. The energy is unmatched.”
Future Projects
Currently, Kottoor is in discussions with a production house regarding a new Malayalam-Telugu film and is hopeful to make his debut as a music composer in the near future. His trajectory in the music industry highlights not only his talent but also the collaborative spirit that drives contemporary Indian cinema.
