Malayalam composer Justin Varghese on making himself heard in Hindi film industry with his background score-OxBig News Network

2024 has been a jolly good ride for composer Justin Varghese. The two-time Kerala State film award-winning musician is having his day in Hindi cinema with his background music. First was Munjya, a hit at the box office, followed by Stree 2, the highest-grossing Hindi film ever in India.

2025 will begin with a bang for him with another big Hindi project, a war drama, slated to reach theatres. Even though he does not reveal the details, one can easily guess the movie. He is also on board Vicky Kaushal’s mega project, Mahavatar, which will go on floors next year.

All these are production ventures of Maddock Films, which boasts commercially and critically acclaimed movies such as Cocktail, Badlapur, Hindi Medium, Luka Chuppi, Mimi. While Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and Stree 2 are part of its supernatural universe.

Joji’s BGM, which got Justin his first State award, marked his entry into Hindi cinema. “Amar sir (Amar Kaushik, director of Stree, Bala, Bhediya, Stree2 and Mahavatar) messaged me on Instagram, saying he wanted to work with me in his next production. But I couldn’t take it up, and also another movie by him, because of my projects in Malayalam. Yet, he contacted me again asking if I would like to work on Stree 2. I was shocked and surprised. Before work started on Stree 2, he gave me Munjya, which he produced,” says Justin over the phone from his studio in Kochi.

The demo track he submitted to the production house is now the theme music for Stree 2, he adds. “I have found a great friend and supporter in Amar sir and whenever he comes down to my studio in Kochi I take him around treating him to our food. He is fun to be around. And each time I think of deleting my Instagram account, I hesitate because had it not been that platform, he, possibly, would not have contacted me!” Justin says.

The composer says that although horror comedy was a new terrain for him, the process was smooth. “In the case of all the projects [Munjya, Stree 2 and the upcoming one], they showed me the entire movie with reference BGM. They asked me to say yes only if I liked the work.”

In Munjya, a breezy movie about a young man and a vengeful spirit, Justin says that he was given a free rein. “It was an interesting exercise. For instance, they wanted a playful tune, especially in the interval. So I took a machine tone and manipulated the pitch to create that. That was much appreciated,” he explains.

In Stree 2, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, the challenge was transitioning smoothly between scary and comedy. “We brainstormed a lot and that was fun. In fact, working in that film has been the most comfortable experience for me to date. I had apprehensions about working in Hindi, but all that was laid to rest,” he says, adding, “That comes from the 100% trust Amar sir had in me. He would ask for my opinions and even make the changes I suggested. The last reel of Stree 2 was a tough one since I had not worked on such a lengthy track before. I gave it to him just three days before it went for mixing. But he was not stressed because he was confident about my work. We even made a few changes just a few hours before the mixing session.”

The success of Stree 2 did not come as a surprise, Justin observes. “We are not used to seeing such humour in Malayalam cinema and so I was not sure if the comedy would work in Munjya. But when I saw people enjoying it so much I was sure that Stree 2 will be a super hit. Especially because we laughed so much while working on it,” he says referring to the jumpscares and humour in the scenes where the headless monster who abducts young women is up against the naive characters played by Rajkummar, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee and others.

Justin is among the few composers from Malayalam who have had a successful run in the Hindi industry. In fact, he got many offers from the industry to compose songs and score BGM. “Among them are a Tamil-Hindi project featuring Madhavan and another one starring Ajay Devgn. But I had to let them go.”

Mahavatar, which has Vicky Kaushal playing Lord Parasuram, came as a surprise. “I had to do the score for the first look poster overnight. I didn’t even know then that it is a Vicky Kaushal movie!”

Justin stresses that he prefers composing BGM to songs. “Even if I don’t get to compose songs I am fine with it.” He has composed the songs and BGM of his Malayalam movies such as Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela,Thanneer Mathan Dinangal, Joji, Super Sharanya, Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, Palthu Janwar and Chaaver.

Justin Varghese (left) with director Amar Kaushik
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“I am not confident as a composer. Sometimes I feel that I created the so-called hits by fluke! When ‘Jathikkathottam’ [from Thanneer Mathan Dinangal] was composed, the entire team went crazy and there were even talks to reshoot the song sequence. I got scared seeing their excitement. I am always worried about whether my songs will work or not. But with BGM I don’t have that tension.”

Justin calls himself an average composer. “I may not be able to do a full-fledged Carnatic piece or a heavy metal composition. But I like to experiment, perhaps, because I am not an expert. I believe that when I work with what I know, that clicks,” he says.

A career in music was never in his scheme of things, let alone cinema. Justin had joined a seminary to become a priest, but did not continue. Once he graduated in philosophy, he moved to Delhi where he did various jobs and even taught at a school in Arunachal Pradesh.

“My aim was to get a job which would not make me hate Mondays! I realised it was possible if I did something related to music because I loved it. I used to sing and play the keyboard at our church. Later on, I came to know of sound engineering and pursued a course. That is where I heard about music production. It was the team of Thaikkudam Bridge who introduced me to concepts such as programming. I started making demos and got the opportunity to work with Bijibal. I am grateful that he accommodated me.”

Even though he has not had any releases in Malayalam after Chaaver, which won him the State Award for the Best Composer, his music will soon be heard in Painkili, Daveed and Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira. “Working in Bollywood was pretty easy when compared to Malayalam because the trend and demand keep changing here. I don’t think the work I did there is as good as what I have been doing in Malayalam.”

Justin Varghese with his Kerala State Film Award for the Best Background Score for Joji
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Reflecting on the recent controversy where a film was trolled for its loud BGM, Justin observes that the composer often has to comply with the demand of the director or producer. “If they want it loud, a composer has to go with that. But then theatre mixing also plays an important role.” In fact, on his bucket list is scoring for a “mass masala entertainer”.

Justin stresses that he is open to criticism. “One has to be strong enough for the ruthless comments on social media. It is disappointing when people downplay my work saying that it is a copy. However I have learnt to take them in my stride. I have my insecurities. But I prefer to take things as they come. Mahavatar will release only in December 2026 and one of my team members jokingly says that at least I won’t be out of work until then!”

He adds, “When someone asks what my dream is, I tell them that I had not even dreamt of what is happening now. What more can I wish for?”