THE MUSICIANS' ROUNDTABLE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THR INDIA'S MUSICIANS' ROUNDTABLE – FEATURING THE FINEST MUSICIANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

- 

IN A CANDID CONVERSATION at The Hollywood Reporter India Musicians' Roundtable — in partnership with Amazon Music — that dives into creative euphoria and the depths of artistic vulnerability, five musicians gathered to discuss the paradoxes of making music in 2025.

What emerged was a portrait of an industry in flux, where the lines between film and independent music have blurred, and where heartbreak has become both burden and blessing.

Shruti Haasan celebrates success through shared joy between artist and audience. Jakes Bejoy is optimistic about film and independent music converging, while for lyricist Irshad Kamil, film music remains a delicate negotiation. Faheem Abdullah believes in quality over quantity, and Madhubanti Bagchi finds validation in live audiences singing along. Across their diverse experiences, a common thread emerges: great art springs from genuine emotion, particularly from heartbreak that transforms rather than destroys.

What follows is their exploration of success beyond metrics, pre-stage rituals involving carbs and prayer, and the creative blocks that force them to wait, retreat, or simply stop thinking altogether.

TAKE A SEAT

SHRUTI HAASAN, Actor and singer Amazon Music Notes: Best of 2025 Tamil song for "Vinveli Nayaga" from the movie Thug Life.

FAHEEM ABDULLAH, Multidisciplinary artiste Amazon Music Notes: Top Artist India and his top songs "Saiyaara," "Aawaara Angaara," and "Ehsaas" featured on Best of India & Hindi playlists.

JAKES BEJOY, Film score composer and playback singer Amazon Music Notes: His composed songs are featured on the Best of 2025 Malayalam playlist for the movies Narivetta and Thudarum.

IRSHAD KAMIL, Poet and lyricist Amazon Music Notes: Top Songs and Album for the year "Saiyaara", "Tere Ishk Mein" and "Chhaava" across Best of India & Hindi playlists.