DISCOGRAPHY

Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi, is a gritty crime drama . The film marks the debut of Aaishvary Thackeray — grandson of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray — and stars Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra in key roles. Raw, intense, and character-driven, Nishaanchi dives deep into the underbelly of power, loyalty, and consequence — all underscored by a moody, cinematic soundscape.

For Tehran, Dhruv Ghanekar has produced a standout song that plays against the film’s climax. It’s a beautifully crafted, poetic piece designed not to compete with the high-octane visuals but to elevate them, adding emotional depth and cinematic resonance. By contrasting the tense narrative with a soulful, evocative soundscape, the track amplifies the film’s emotional stakes and lingers long after the credits roll — a testament to Dhruv’s ability to balance subtlety with impact.

Mumbai Star (2023) began life as a commission for Japan’s Min‑On Concert Association and ended up selling out theatres across the country. Conceived by Dhruv Ghanekar with lyricist Ishitta Arun, the stage musical follows a young Kathak dancer chasing fame in Mumbai. Its 19‑track soundtrack runs from Bollywood dance numbers and romantic ballads to kathak‑influenced pieces, rap and percussion‑heavy fusion. Featuring stars like Sunidhi Chauhan, Nakash Aziz and Kunal Ganjawala, the show’s blend of Indian traditions and big‑band flair proved irresistible to audiences.

Choona (2023), a Netflix original directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, features a quirky, satirical heist plot set against the backdrop of North Indian political chaos. Dhruv Ghanekar composed the original background score, adding tonal range and emotional nuance to the series’ offbeat narrative. His music moves between tension and absurdity with precision — blending Indian folk textures, sly jazz phrases, and cinematic swells to match the show's irreverent energy and unpredictable pacing. The score is equal parts atmosphere and attitude, underscoring the madness of politics, revenge, and jugaad with style and wit.

Dhruv Ghanekar ventured into the action‑thriller zone with Kangana Ranaut’s 2022 film Dhaakad, composing three songs and the background score. His contributions—“So Ja Re” (sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Hariharan), “Vasundhara Vee” and “Babul”—offset the film’s high‑octane visuals with moments of melody and pathos. The background score leans into heavy percussion and cinematic strings, underscoring espionage sequences without slipping into bombast. It’s a reminder that Ghanekar can handle pulse‑pounding action as deftly as he handles fusion albums, adding a sonic polish to a film that largely relies on stunts and style.

Dandi Kutir is a state-of-the-art experiential museum located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, dedicated to the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Dhruv Ghanekar was commissioned to compose the original score for its centrepiece installation — a large-scale immersive multimedia show tracing Gandhi’s transformation from Mohandas to Mahatma. The music had to reflect both spiritual depth and historical gravity, while still feeling accessible to modern audiences. Dhruv blended orchestral elements with Indian folk instruments, ambient textures, and choral arrangements to create a soundscape that enhances the narrative without overwhelming it. The result is a moving, cinematic experience that complements the museum’s ambitious storytelling — one that elevates Gandhi’s journey through sound as much as sight.

In 2018, Dhruv Ghanekar was tapped by Disney to adapt and re-produce the music for the Indian stage version of their global hit musical Aladdin. Tasked with reimagining Alan Menken’s iconic score for Indian sensibilities while preserving its Broadway grandeur, Dhruv approached the project with both reverence and reinvention. The score was entirely re-recorded with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague, under Dhruv’s direction — marrying lush orchestration with subtle Indian instrumentation and rhythmic adaptations to suit the local context. The result was a dazzling sonic experience that retained the magic of the original while giving it a distinctly Indian flavour. The production was a critical and commercial success, playing to packed houses and marking one of the most ambitious musical theatre undertakings in the country. It also reinforced Dhruv’s reputation as one of the few composers capable of seamlessly navigating between cultures, formats, and continents.

London, Paris, New York is a 2012 romantic drama about two young adults who meet by chance across three cities. Dhruv Ghanekar composed the background score, complementing the film’s breezy narrative with a soundtrack that shifts from quirky indie pop in London to jazzy Parisian motifs and upbeat New York vibes. His music underscores the characters’ growth and long‑distance romance without overwhelming the dialogue. The score offers subtle nods to each locale while tying the story together with recurring themes, demonstrating Ghanekar’s ability to adapt his fusion sensibilities to a mainstream Bollywood rom‑com.

Drona (2008) is a fantasy‑adventure film directed by Goldie Behl, with Abhishek Bachchan as the titular hero and Priyanka Chopra as his bodyguard. Dhruv Ghanekar composed the film’s music and score, including tracks like “Drona,” “Oop Cha,” “Bandagi,” “Nanhe Nanhe” and “Khushi”. The soundtrack fused orchestral grandeur with Indian percussion and pop influences to complement the film’s superhero narrative. Drona also earned Dhruv early industry recognition, winning Stardust’s Outstanding Debut for Music Director and a Radio Mirchi Award for Best Music (Upcoming Composer) in 2009. These accolades marked a strong debut for Ghanekar in mainstream cinema, foreshadowing his success as a genre‑blending composer.

The White Noise soundtrack, composed by Ashutosh Phatak and Dhruv Ghanekar for Vinta Nanda’s 2005 film of the same name, is an eclectic collection of tracks that mirror the film’s raw examination of urban relationships. Songs such as “Stone,” “Slide” and “In the Air” combine guitars, electronic textures and Indian motifs to evoke a darker, edgy mood. The music blends rock, ambient and world‑music influences, wrapping introspective lyrics in an urban, contemporary tapestry. The OST was re‑issued in January 2024, reintroducing the duo’s gritty sonic palette to a new audience.

Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3) (2007), directed by Robby Grewal, featured a heartfelt and youthful narrative about first love, and Dhruv Ghanekar composed the songs & film’s background score. His music subtly underscored the innocence, excitement and emotional swings of teenage romance, blending acoustic guitars, piano motifs and contemporary pop textures.  

Dhruv’s  score provided the emotional thread that tied the story together, enhancing its bittersweet charm without overpowering the visuals or dialogue. 

Snip! (2000) is an offbeat indie comedy directed by Sunhil Sippy, for which Dhruv Ghanekar (along with Ashutosh Phatak) composed the original soundtrack. The music mirrors the film’s quirky, urban vibe—mixing funky guitar riffs, lounge grooves and playful electronic textures. The songs stand out for their catchy, unconventional feel, reflecting the restless energy of late‑90s Mumbai. The OST marked one of Ghanekar’s early forays into film music, showcasing his knack for crafting fresh, character‑driven soundscapes

Bombay Boys (1998), directed by Kaizad Gustad, featured a genre‑defying soundtrack composed by Dhruv Ghanekar and Ashutosh Phatak. The music fused alternative rock, funk, electronica and Indian flavours, creating a sound that felt radically different from Bollywood’s norms of the late ’90s.

The standout hit “Mumbhai,”feat. Javed Jaffrey became a cult anthem and remains one of the film’s most celebrated legacies.

The OST helped set the tone for the indie music revolution in India, cementing Ghanekar’s reputation as a trailblazer unafraid to experiment with fresh, global sounds