Renowned Indian music director Santosh Narayanan has revealed a major international collaboration with global music sensation Ed Sheeran. The Tamil and Telugu film composer took to social media to announce that he has teamed up with Sheeran, rising Tamil artist Dhee, and indie collective Hanumankind for a brand-new track.
Sharing the news on his X (formerly Twitter) timeline, Santosh wrote: “Ed Sheeran – Dhee – HanumanKind – Santhosh Narayanan. Proud to have produced and performed this one.”
While the track’s release date or details remain under wraps, the news of this collaboration has already sparked excitement among fans and the Indian independent music scene. Known for pushing boundaries in sound and supporting experimental artists, Santosh’s involvement signals a fusion of global and regional sounds.
The announcement follows a series of visionary moves from the composer, including a bold new venture in the music tech space. Just days ago, Santosh revealed that he is working on one of his long-time dream projects — an ultra-transparent, affordable music streaming platform, built in and for India but intended for global access.
Taking to X once again, he wrote:
“Starting one of my dream projects today. Building an ultra-transparent affordable music streaming platform from India for anyone in the world who streams music. Will see a massive set of legendary artists and upcoming superstars in this platform.”
He further explained that the platform will prioritise fair artist payouts and low-cost subscriptions, stating:
“We will keep artist payouts and affordable subscription (if any) at the forefront. It will be built, operated, and served from India.”
To foster innovation and youth involvement, Santosh also announced that he would be organising hackathons to identify promising young talent to help run the platform. “We dream to see them at the top of the administration,” he said. “Oru nalla name suggest pannunga (suggest a good name).”
The acclaimed composer, who has long championed independent music and artists, is clearly making moves to reshape how music is created, distributed, and experienced — all with transparency and artist empowerment at its core.
Professionally, Santosh Narayanan remains one of the most in-demand composers in South Indian cinema. He most recently scored music for Thalaivan Thalaivi, directed by Pandiraj and starring Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen. Before that, he composed for Retro, a much-anticipated project helmed by Karthik Subbaraj and featuring Suriya and Pooja Hegde.
Beyond film music, Santosh continues to focus on developing platforms for emerging talent. In 2024, he launched Rakitaa Entertainment, an enterprise dedicated to nurturing musicians through transparent business practices and long-term support.
Reflecting on his early struggles in the industry, Santosh shared during the launch:
“I arrived in Chennai in 2004 as a 20-year-old musician, ambitious to make my mark. For nearly a decade, I navigated the industry, parched for opportunities. Those early struggles paved the way for my career as a composer.”
He added, “Through this journey, I realised the need for a platform that accelerates the careers of deserving musicians, helping them avoid the long waits I experienced. That vision is Rakitaa Entertainment — a venture I’ve nurtured for the past two to three years.”
Rakitaa is also in the process of launching a state-of-the-art recording studio, which will serve as a creative space for artists under the label.
With an international collaboration, a new streaming platform, and a fast-growing music label, Santosh Narayanan is fast becoming a driving force for change in the Indian music ecosystem — both on stage and behind the scenes.
