Aug 25, 2026 6:09pm IST
‘I’m Game’ Composer Jakes Bejoy On Success: ‘It Is Delusional To Think You Will Always Be On Top’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Malayalam music composer Jakes Bejoy has had a pretty prolific year this far, with releases like “Pallichatambi,” “Mollywood Times,” “I, Nobody,” “Thudakkam,” “Khalifa” already out and “I’m Game” lined up for release in September. He shares that he feels a true sense of purpose when in the studio. He tells Variety India, “Making music is what I love to do. It’s what I breathe. Nothing in this world is more important to me than making music. For me, it’s like a spiritual connection with God.”
He finds enough calm in his studio to balance the pressure that comes with juggling multiple projects. “With every opportunity, I try to make something I feel deeply about, and hope it will get a positive response from the audience. Touchwood, I have made massive progress in the past two years,” he adds.
‘No complaints’
Bejoy reflects on how he cannot say no to films now that he is finally getting good scripts to display his creativity. He says, “So far, it's been good. Going forward, I might spend more time on a film, which means doing fewer films. Everyone has been good and kind to me. I came from nothing. From struggling for opportunities to reaching this stage with multiple projects, it feels like a blessing. I don’t want to complain. Also, I have good relationships and some commitments I always say yes to. That’s how my films line up, but at least I'm able to choose good projects because people are coming to me with good scripts.”
Related Stories
Universal connect
The song “Sajje Khabbe” from “I, Nobody” had Hindi and Malayalam lyrics. Bejoy reveals it was director Nissam Basheer’s idea to have a song with Hindi lyrics. The composer adds that he, too, is a big believer in integrating different languages as he loves artistes from all over. He quips, “I always think it will be so cool if they can come and sing in our movies. ‘I, Nobody’ had a universal subject and the director wanted to use Hindi to give it a more nationalistic vibe. When he shared his vision, I was immediately on board and brought in singer Sudhir Yaduvanshi.”
Indian cinema relies heavily on music for promotions. Films with viral tracks often get a better buzz leading to audience curiosity. Acknowledging the pressures of composing viral songs in this era of reels, Bejoy states, “That’s the task at hand or else we are not needed in this business. I think it’s part and parcel of this game. If you take on a project there’s no looking back. At the same time, I don’t think any artist should compromise their soul and do something just being a sellout. You cannot sustain like that. If you work hard, God will give you something that ticks with the audience, but you need to build a map to draw that journey. I don’t think any job in a film is as taxing and stressful as a composer’s job. There is immense weightage given to a film’s music. It is a huge task to make music and compose the background score. And when you have five to six films releasing in a year, it gets even more hectic.”
Live shows next
Bejoy has scored films for top heroes of the Kerala film industry like Prithviraj Sukumaran with “Ranam” (2018), “Kaduva” (2022), “Ayyappanum Koshiyum” (2020) and Dulquer Salmaan with “Kaantha” (2025) and Mohanlal “Thudarum” (2025), “L2: Empuraan” (as a vocalist). He reveals that all of them have excellent taste in music. Bejoy adds, “Prithviraj and I go back a long way. His music sensibilities are a little different, and so is Dulquer’s. They do not force me to do what they like. They give feedback after listening to the songs. I always have full freedom, which I believe is best for a music composer. The moment you are influenced or listen to opinions, that's when the soul and originality of the work is lost.” He further says that he has a live show planned in the coming months and would want all the stars of the Malayalam film industry to be a part of it.
Fluctuating Fortunes
South Indian films prominently display a music composer’s name at the forefront of any teaser or trailer. Music directors like Anirudh Ravichander, Thaman, Santhosh Narayanan enjoy stardom akin to an actor or actress. Reflecting on this, Bejoy states, “This adds to the pressure. I do not take any pride in it (laughs). I am always doubtful on whether my music will succeed or not. I always push a bit harder as I am never satisfied with the final product. I truly do not take any of the fame or publicity seriously because it is delusional to assume that you will always stay on top. The bigger your stature, the bigger is the fall. You have to be careful not to make mistakes. I do not want to become complacent thinking that I am in a comfortable position.”
Music Icons
Bejoy also shares his admiration for his icon A.R. Rahman and good friend Santhosh Narayanan. He elaborates, “Santhosh is a good friend. But it is Rahman Sir who is the biggest reason why I became a composer. I don’t think I have listened to any other musician as much as him. He laid the foundation for me to work in film music. Santhosh and I started our careers in 2007 and would collaborate on independent songs as freshmen just out of college. He made his debut in 2012, I in 2013 so we have been together at almost the same time. He brings in a lot of new styles and sticks to his creative choices despite the pressures.”
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.