Sooraj S Kurup: A Journey Tuned by Curiosity, Cinema and Sound
In an industry where many are pressured to define themselves by a single title, Sooraj S Kurup stands apart as an artist who has allowed curiosity to shape his journey. Composer, lyricist, occasional actor and a silent observer of cinema, Sooraj’s path has never followed a straight line yet every turn has contributed to the music he creates today.
Born in Kottayam, Kerala, with roots in Chambakkara, Sooraj grew up surrounded by stories, sounds and an unspoken pull towards art. His schooling began at CMS High School, followed by his higher secondary education at NSS HSS. He later graduated from CMS College, Kottayam, where he pursued a degree in Communicative English and Journalism. Even during his academic years, it was clear that conventional careers were never his destination. His heart was firmly set on cinema particularly direction.
Sooraj’s interest in filmmaking wasn’t limited to theory or admiration from afar. During his final year of college, he took a bold step that reflected both his passion and fearlessness. With no access to professional equipment no DSLR, he made a one-and-a-half-hour campus film using a simple handycam. The film was shot, completed and released within the campus, becoming an early marker of his commitment to storytelling.
Soon after, he assisted in his first feature film, August Club, directed by K. B. Venu and written by Anantha Padmanabhan. This experience proved to be a turning point. Being on a professional film set introduced him to the collaborative heartbeat of cinema. While direction remained a dream, another constant quietly grew stronger alongside it music.
Music had never been a distant interest for Sooraj. It had always been there woven into his daily life. He trained in Mridangam and actively participated in numerous youth festivals, where his performances gained recognition. His mother, his first and most important teacher, played a vital role during these years. She trained him for competitions, guided his practice and instilled discipline that would later define his professional approach.
Sooraj began composing music not with the intention of building a career, but simply out of love for himself, for friends and for small creative projects. However, as opportunities arose, he found himself at a crossroads. When he expressed interest in assisting more films, many advised him to choose one path. Direction or music. One focus. One identity.But music refused to be side lined.
After graduation, Sooraj briefly enrolled in an MBA programme, but quickly realized it wasn’t aligned with his purpose. He dropped out and made a decisive move to Chennai, the city that has shaped countless musicians and filmmakers.
He spent two to three years in Chennai, living in Vadapalani and Saligramam, and trained in audio engineering at Muzik Lounge, run by renowned musician Stephen Devassy. These years were formative not just technically but emotionally. He learned sound design, recording, mixing.
During this time, Sooraj worked on advertisements and background scores, while also helping friends with short films. The Chennai phase grounded him, teaching him patience, humility and the value of learning from the ground up. In 2016, Sooraj composed music for his first feature film, Valliyum Thetti Pulliyum Thetti. The film received a positive response and his work stood out for its freshness and emotional resonance. He also revealed another strength writing lyrics, proving that his connection to music went beyond composition.
Though this was his official debut as a composer, public recognition came slightly later. For many audiences, Sooraj S Kurup became a familiar name after Solo, directed by Bejoy Nambiar and starring Dulquer Salmaan. The film was structured around four elements, and Sooraj handled the Earth segment. The song Sita Kalyanam, sung by Renuka Arun and Sooraj himself, became a massive success
What made the song special was not just its popularity, but its uniqueness a Tamil song composed by a Malayalam composer, rooted deeply in classical emotion yet modern in execution. The response was overwhelming, with many assuming Solo was his first film. Sooraj often credits Bejoy Nambiar for his deep understanding of music and for giving space to composers to experiment.
One of the most unexpected chapters in Sooraj’s career came with Sakhavu, directed by Sidhartha Siva. After Valliyum Thetti Pulliyum Thetti, Sooraj was invited to work on Sakhavu, and the collaboration strengthened his relationship with the production team. While Sidhartha Siva was shooting Sakhavu, Sooraj happened to be travelling back to Kochi, with one of the locations falling along his route. He decided to visit the set. Due to date issues, an actor assigned to a role became unavailable. During discussions on set, Sidhartha Siva casually asked Sooraj if he would be willing to take on the role one that required three to four days of shooting and appeared throughout the film.
Having a background in college drama, and seeing no reason to decline, Sooraj said yes. That moment marked his first on-screen appearance, sharing space with Nivin Pauly an experience he recalls with immense joy.
Sooraj later acted in and Ennivar, directed by Sidhartha Siva. Ennivar went on to receive accolades, including Best Director and Best Co-Actor for Sudheesh in 2021. In the film, Sooraj and Saryano Khalid played the two leads, with Sooraj portraying his longest on-screen character to date.
Despite this success, he remains selective about acting, choosing roles only when the character genuinely interests him. Though he has composed music for around 25 films, Sooraj does not believe in working in bulk. Music, he says, is his priority but only when it feels right. Over the last one and a half years, he consciously took a break, travelling extensively, going on bike rides and reconnecting with himself.
This pause reignited his interest in independent music, a space he had long postponed despite frequent encouragement. He is now actively working on multiple independent projects and is hopeful about releasing new music in the coming months.Beyond Malayalam cinema, Sooraj is currently working on his first Telugu film. He also had a brief experience in Tamil cinema with a small film in 2017, though production challenges limited its impact.
When asked about directing, Sooraj speaks with clarity. He has no immediate plans but not because the dream has faded. He continues to assist director teams, stay updated on shoots, and involve himself in discussions out of pure curiosity. Direction, he believes, deserves the right story and until that arrives, he is content letting music lead the way.
Sooraj S Kurup’s journey is not defined by urgency, labels, or expectations. It is shaped by instinct, patience, and an unwavering love for cinema and sound. Whether composing, acting, assisting, or travelling, he follows what feels honest. Music remains his compass. Cinema, his home. And the journey still unfolding.
