MUMBAI: In an era where genre lines are blurred and sonic experimentation is the new norm, music producer UpsideDown and composer ICONYK (Nikhil Malik) have stepped into uncharted territory bringing their signature soundscapes to a horror-comedy film that demanded nothing less than tonal acrobatics.
A Soundtrack Built on Emotion and Texture
Known for his genre-defying productions, UpsideDown approached the film’s soundtrack like a mad scientist in a lab.
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“It’s always about the emotion behind the sound,” he explains. “Some scenes needed that eerie detuned synth, others wanted an 808 slap in the face.” Drawing from electronic, trap, hip-hop, and even Punjabi music, UpsideDown crafted a dynamic audio experience that could veer from chilling to cheeky within a beat.
“It’s like cooking—you throw in a trap kick, a Punjabi vocal sample, maybe some industrial glitches, and suddenly the jump scare hits different.”
Shaping the Future of Indian Film Music
UpsideDown, who’s credited with reshaping modern Punjabi music, sees Indian cinema at the cusp of a sonic revolution.
“India’s not just about Bollywood ballads anymore,” he says. “Audiences are vibing to drill, R&B, even Jersey Club. What we did for Punjabi music a decade ago, that wave is finally hitting cinema. It’s no longer about safe, copy-paste orchestras. It’s about authenticity, edge, and earworms.”
From Emotion to Mayhem: ICONYK’s Versatility Unleashed
For ICONYK, whose earlier works like M Cream and Fallin were introspective and atmospheric, this film marked a bold new direction.
“This was me stepping into full-blown madness,” he admits. “One track needed to be flirty and playful, another had to be a full-on dancefloor riot, and then there was Sanjay Dutt’s entry—that had to be nothing short of legendary.”
The project pushed ICONYK to let go of structure and lean into instinct. “Honestly, it was freeing. Like letting go of perfection and just enjoying the unpredictability.”
When Horror Meets Humor
Balancing jump scares with punchlines isn’t for the faint of heart, but for these two, it came down to trusting their ears—and the vision of director Sidhaant Sachdev.
“Sidhaant isn’t just the director, he’s like family,” they say. “He had laser-sharp clarity on what he wanted sonically. We just tuned in. One scene gave haunted haveli vibes, but also ‘aao kabhi haveli pe’ comedy. We didn’t force the balance; it revealed itself.”
What’s Next?
The duo isn’t slowing down.
“We’ve got something crazy dropping soon—a banger with Sunny Kaushal via Mass Appeal,” says UpsideDown. “Hard-hitting hip-hop, gritty and raw. The video features all three of us—Sunny, ICONYK and me—in one frame. Three energies, one vision.”
And after that? “Some afro-house vibes coming your way. We’re just getting started.”
