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Music composer Shashwat Sachdev opens up about his second National Award win, what inspires him and more

Shashwat Sachdev has composed music for films like Phillauri (2017), Veere Di Wedding (2018), Article 370 (2024), Kesari Chapter 2 (2025) and many more films. He shot to fame for the background score of Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), for which he won his first National Award. Ever since then, he has quietly been carving a nich for him self. He has now won his second National Award for Article 370. The Free Press Journal caught up with him for an exclusive chat. Excerpts:

Could you share the exact moment when you got to know of your second Nation Award win?

It came as a complete surprise. My wife told me, and for a few moments I could not quite place the news inside my mind. The first National Award was overwhelming. This one arrived with more stillness, perhaps because I understand a little better how many lives stand behind one person's name. At this stage, the recognition means that work made from an honest, uncompromising place was heard. One award came for the background score of Uri: The Surgical Strike. This one has come for the songs of Article 370. That means a great deal to me because I have always wanted to move freely between score and song, between Indian classical roots and a larger cinematic language. I feel proud, of course, but the pride is quiet. Years later, I think I will remember less about the announcement and more about the calls with my family, the joy in my parents' voices, and the feeling that all those uncertain years had briefly formed a beautiful circle.

You’ve won your second National Award in such a short span of your career. How does being appreciated for your talent after all the hardwork feel?