Mujeeb Majeed: A Journey Shaped by Sound
Mujeeb Majeed was born and brought up in Thrissur, Kerala, where he also
completed his schooling and higher studies. Music was never an unfamiliar presence in his life. it existed organically within his family space, shaping his listening habits from a very young age. His passion for music began during his school years, growing steadily as he absorbed sounds that stayed with him long after the songs ended. An ardent admirer of A. R. Rahman, Mujeeb often speaks about how Rahman’s work influenced his understanding of melody, texture, and emotion. The album of the film Taal became a defining moment for him. It was the spark that transformed admiration into clarity. From that point onward, he knew music was what he wanted to dedicate his life to. Trusting the process and believing in his instinct, he made the decision to pursue music professionally.
After completing his degree, Mujeeb moved to Chennai to study sound engineering. Even before joining S A E College of Audio Engineering, he took it upon himself to learn music software independently, spending countless hours understanding technology, sound design, and recording tools. This self-driven learning period laid a strong technical foundation. Soon after, he began working as a recording engineer at Studio DB 20, where he gained hands-on studio experience and learned the discipline required behind the console. His journey gradually shifted toward programming, and he went on to work as a keyboard programmer for over fifteen years.
During this long phase, he collaborated with several prominent composers
including Gopi Sundar, Anil Johnson, Manikanth Kadri, and Simon K. King. These
collaborations exposed him to different musical languages and cinematic
approaches, refining his adaptability and sensitivity as a musician. Later, he moved
to Bangalore and took a brief break before traveling to Dubai in search of broader
opportunities. This phase eventually led him back to Bangalore, where he secured
a role at On Mobile Private Limited, a company working in VAS services. While
there, he composed jingles and continued honing his compositional skills. Around
the same time, he also worked as a keyboard programmer for a Kannada film under
music director Arjun Ramu.
Though deeply involved in music for years, his official debut as a film music director
came with Mandharam in 2018. Prior to that, between 2014 and 2016, he had
worked extensively on short films, a phase that played a crucial role in shaping his
cinematic instincts. It was during this period that he met filmmaker Bahul Ramesh,
with whom he has shared a close friendship since 2015. Thrillers gradually became
a recurring genre in his filmography, though he consistently explored other forms
and emotional palettes as well.
One of his most talked-about works, Eko, received strong appreciation from
audiences, particularly for its background score, which was praised for its intensity
and atmospheric impact. Following Kishkindha Kaandam, Mujeeb consciously
wanted to approach music differently. He felt the need to introduce melody and a
softer, more feminine emotional layer into his compositions. His comfort level with
directors allows this freedom working relationships are built on mutual
understanding rather than extensive verbal explanations. With directors like Dinjith
Ayyathan and Bahul Ramesh, discussions are minimal because everyone
instinctively knows what the film needs, creating a natural give-and-take creative
process.
In Kalamkaval, music played a central role in recreating the film’s timeline. All the
songs were designed to transport the audience back to the 1980s and 1990s.
Mujeeb Majeed explained that this approach was essential, especially at a time
when Mammootty Kampany was planning to acquire the music rights of classic
Ilaiyaraaja and M. S. Viswanathan songs. Instead of revisiting the past, Mujeeb
proposed a bold alternative—why not recreate the soul of vintage music through
entirely new compositions? That creative decision paid off. The songs he composed
captured the warmth, melody, and emotional depth of old-school classics while
remaining fresh and contemporary. Among them, “Nila Kaayum Neram” from
Kalamkaval stood out remarkably, emerging as a massive hit and resonating deeply
with audiences.
. Growing up listening to legends like Ilaiyaraaja and M. S. Viswanathan, he wanted
to recreate the soul of that era while using modern technology to overcome old
limitations such as poor recording clarity or surface noise. Considerable technical
effort went into achieving this balance. At one point, he even suggested
incorporating older songs to strengthen the nostalgic experience, an idea that
blended seamlessly into the film and was warmly received by audiences.
Today, Mujeeb Majeed is a composer shaped by patience, listening, and lived
experience. His music prioritizes story over spectacle, emotion over excess, and
instinct over formula. As his work continues to evolve across genres and films, he
remains deeply rooted in the belief that sound must serve cinema and when it does,
it stays with the audience long after the screen fades to black.
Discography:
Mandharam
Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam
1744 White Alto
Perilloor Premier League
Rautu Ka Raaz (background score)
Kishkindha Kaandam
Rekhachithram
Dheeran
Eko
Kalamkaval
Chatha Pacha (background score)
Kannada Films
Arjun Raamu
Poorna Chandra thejasvi
Upcoming Projects:
Padayaatra
Medical Miracle
Pradhama Drishtiya Kuttakkar.
