Akhil Sachdeva: 'My voice hasn't been used to its true potential'
Synopsis
Akhil Sachdeva has composed for some of Bollywood's biggest films, but says the industry has consistently overlooked him as a vocalist. In a candid post-release conversation, he revealed the quiet frustration of a triple-threat artist — writer, composer, singer — whose singing remains the least-used of his three gifts.
Key Takeaways
Akhil Sachdeva composed 'Piya Ghar Aaya - Homecoming' for the Emraan Hashmi -starrer 'Awarapan 2' .
He has been active in Bollywood for 10 years , debuting in 2017 with 'Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya' .
Sachdeva says despite delivering 'big songs', few producers have used his voice as a singer.
He attributes his creative self-reliance to industry market pressures that 'arm-twist' artists.
He expressed optimism that 'Awarapan 2' and upcoming big-budget projects will change his standing as a vocalist.
Music composer and singer Akhil Sachdeva has opened up about feeling underutilised as a vocalist in Bollywood, saying the industry has yet to tap his singing talent to its fullest. His remarks came on the sidelines of the release of 'Awarapan 2', the Emraan Hashmi-starrer for which he composed the song 'Piya Ghar Aaya - Homecoming'.
Fifteen Years in Music, Still Waiting for His Vocal Due
Speaking in the BKC area of Mumbai after the film's release, Sachdeva reflected on a career spanning 15 years in music and 10 years in Bollywood — the latter beginning with his 2017 debut on 'Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya'. Despite delivering several well-known compositions, he said his voice has rarely been placed front and centre by producers or directors.
'I don't shy away from saying that when I have given such big songs, not many people have used my voice. But that doesn't take anything away from my talent and what my belief on music is,' he said.
The Pressure of Market Forces on Artists
Sachdeva acknowledged that commercial pressures routinely shape — and sometimes distort — an artist's creative trajectory. He noted that producers and show organisers can 'arm-twist' an artiste, pushing them toward decisions that serve the market rather than the music. His response, he said, has been to double down on self-reliance.
'That's why I try to write my own songs, compose my own songs because what I want to say in my own way, no one else will be able to say it. It's not justice,' he explained.
Creative Ownership as a Survival Strategy
Rather than framing his independence as ambition, Sachdeva described it as necessity. 'I don't yearn for it. Situations were such that I have to do everything on my own,' he said. He credits the discipline to a belief that his gift for writing, composing, and singing simultaneously is rare — and worth protecting.
'Music is God's gift. Not people's. Everyone does it in their own way. I have to give my music my own way. Only then will I connect with my fans,' he added.
Optimism Ahead of Upcoming Projects
Sachdeva expressed hope that 'Awarapan 2' and several other unannounced 'very big' upcoming films would change industry perception of him as a vocalist. He said he remains at peace with the journey so far, framing the unfulfilled vocal potential not as a grievance but as an ongoing internal challenge.
'The fight is not mine but with the artist inside me. He should get the place he deserves,' he said. 'I move forward with that value and pure heart.'
With 'Awarapan 2' now in theatres and more projects reportedly in the pipeline, the industry will soon have fresh opportunities to test whether Sachdeva's voice finally gets the spotlight he believes it merits.
Point of View
While their vocal identities are treated as optional extras. The industry's tendency to silo talent — composer here, playback singer there — means multi-hyphenate artists like Sachdeva routinely lose the vocal credit to more marketable names. His 10-year wait for a singing breakthrough, despite consistent compositional success, is less a personal story than a systemic one. Whether 'Awarapan 2' changes that calculus remains to be seen, but the conversation itself signals a growing assertiveness among composers who refuse to be invisible.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Akhil Sachdeva?
Akhil Sachdeva is a Bollywood music composer and singer who debuted in 2017 with 'Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya'. He has been active in the Indian music industry for 15 years and is known for composing songs across several major Hindi films.
What song did Akhil Sachdeva compose for 'Awarapan 2'?
He composed 'Piya Ghar Aaya - Homecoming' for 'Awarapan 2', the recently released Emraan Hashmi-starrer. The film's release prompted Sachdeva to speak publicly about his experience as an underutilised vocalist in Bollywood.
Why does Akhil Sachdeva feel underused as a singer?
Sachdeva says that despite composing 'big songs' for the industry over 10 years, producers and directors have rarely chosen to use his voice as a playback singer. He attributes this to market forces that prioritise more commercially established voices over his own.
How does Akhil Sachdeva handle creative pressure in the industry?
He has responded by writing, composing, and singing his own material independently. He says self-reliance was born out of necessity rather than ego, and that creating on his own terms is the only way he can authentically connect with his audience.
What projects is Akhil Sachdeva working on next?
Sachdeva mentioned several upcoming films described as 'very big', though he did not name them. He expressed hope that these projects would give his voice greater visibility and mark a turning point in how the industry perceives him as a vocalist.
