Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Sai Abhyankkar has gained rapid recognition in the South Indian music scene, driven by the viral success of independent tracks like Katchi Sera and Aasa Kooda. These songs gained major traction on social media, making him a name to watch among younger audiences.
Film Industry Debut and Major Collaborations
Sai’s transition from independent music to mainstream cinema has been both swift and significant. He has already worked with major names in the Tamil and Telugu film industries, including actors like Suriya, Silambarasan (STR), and Allu Arjun. He has also partnered with directors such as RJ Balaji, Bakkiyaraj Kannan, and Atlee.
His official film debut comes with Benz, directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan and produced by Lokesh Kanagaraj—known for major films like Leo and Vikram. Benz features Raghava Lawrence and is expected to be part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), increasing anticipation around Sai's entry into cinema.
Replacing A.R. Rahman in Suriya 45
One of Sai’s biggest milestones to date is composing for Suriya 45, directed by RJ Balaji and starring Suriya and Trisha. Sai replaces the Oscar-winning A.R. Rahman as the music director for this film, although the reason for the change has not been disclosed.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Sai shared on social media:
“I saw its first-look poster, like, one year ago. I thought who would do its music since it seemed like a biggie at that time too? By God’s grace, it is me.”
Industry Support and Upcoming Projects
Sai’s entry into mainstream cinema has been met with widespread support. Composer Santhosh Narayanan praised him on Twitter:
“Congratulations Sai kutty. The long-awaited boost of new composers to Tamil film music is here and how!”
Congrats Sai kutty … The much needed addition of new composers in Tamil film music is back and how ????????????????. https://t.co/p2xwhxWKuB
— Santhosh Narayanan (@Music_Santhosh) December 9, 2024
Beyond Benz and Suriya 45, Sai is also working on STR 49 and STR 51 with Silambarasan. He’s set to collaborate with Love Today director Pradeep Ranganathan and actress Mamitha Baiju. One of his most anticipated upcoming ventures is a film with Allu Arjun, directed by Atlee, expected to begin production mid-2025.
Musical Background and Style
Coming from a musical family—his parents Tippu and Harini are playback singers—Sai was trained by Carnatic vocalist Sriram Parthasarathy. He is a skilled multi-instrumentalist, playing tabla, mridangam, piano, drums, and guitar.
Known for his instinct-driven approach, Sai composes without using reference tracks. His music blends classical training, indie creativity, and modern production techniques, setting him apart from his contemporaries.
A Promising Future in Indian Music
Sai Abhyankkar represents a new wave of talent in Indian cinema, one where independent roots and classical depth meet commercial success. With several high-profile projects underway, Sai’s influence in the music industry is only set to grow.
He is poised to shape the soundscape of South Indian films in the coming years—and possibly beyond.
