Ram Sampath

Ram Sampath is an Indian composer, music producer, and vocalist known for his work across films, television, advertising, and independent music. He is recognized for blending Indian classical and folk traditions with rock, pop, funk, and electronic elements.

Ram Sampath
Born	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Composer, Music Producer, Vocalist
Years active	1990s–present
Genres	Film score, Pop, Rock, Electronic, Indian Classical
Associated acts	Sona Mohapatra, Shaan, Colourblind

He has composed music for films such as Khakee, Delhi Belly, Talaash, Fukrey, Raman Raghav 2.0, and Raees. On television, he created the theme and original music for Satyamev Jayate.

Early Life and Education

Ram Sampath was born and raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra. His family roots trace back to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. His grandfather, T. V. Ramanujam, was the founder of the Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai.

He received formal training in Carnatic vocals for nearly nine years and later trained in Hindustani classical music. He also learned piano and developed strong foundations in music theory and arrangement.

During his early years, he aspired to build a career in music and began working professionally as a composer while still in school.

Career

Early Career and Advertising

Ram Sampath began his professional journey in the 1990s composing jingles for television commercials. He worked on campaigns for major brands including Airtel, Tata Docomo, Thums Up, Pepsi, The Times of India, Surf Excel, Nike, Amazon, Closeup, and Tata Safari Dicor.

His work in advertising established him as a composer capable of creating memorable and emotionally resonant music. He has credited the advertising industry for offering a structured and professional working environment during the early years of his career.

Independent Music and Indipop

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ram Sampath composed music for Indipop albums, including Shaan’s Loveology and Tanha Dil (2000). The title track Tanha Dil became a major pop success and remains one of Shaan’s most popular songs.

He was also part of the rock band Colourblind and later began performing with his live act known as the Ram Sampath Experience, which blends original compositions with Indian folk influences.

Film Career

Ram Sampath’s early film work included the English-language film Let’s Talk. He gained wider recognition with Rajkumar Santoshi’s Khakee (2004), which brought him commercial success in Hindi cinema.

He achieved critical and commercial acclaim with Delhi Belly (2011). The soundtrack became known for its unconventional sound and bold songwriting. He later composed for Talaash (2012), Fukrey (2013), Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), and Raees (2017).

After taking a break from films, he returned to composing with projects such as the Netflix film Kathal.

Television and Streaming

Ram Sampath composed the theme and 24 original songs for the television series Satyamev Jayate, hosted by Aamir Khan. The music played a central role in the show’s identity.

He has also collaborated on projects such as MTV Coke Studio and other music-based television programs.

He co-founded the production company Rangeela Pictures along with Puneet Krishna and Vineet Krishna, expanding his work into content production.

Musical Style

Ram Sampath’s music reflects a blend of Indian classical traditions with contemporary global influences. His compositions often combine live instrumentation with electronic production.

He has cited extensive listening and formal training as major influences on his compositional style. His work ranges from emotionally driven melodies to experimental and genre-crossing soundtracks.

Selected Filmography

• Khakee (2004)
• Let’s Talk
• Delhi Belly (2011)
• Talaash (2012)
• Fukrey (2013)
• Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)
• Raees (2017)
• Kathal

Other Work

Apart from films and advertising, Ram Sampath has worked with artists such as Sona Mohapatra and has collaborated with international acts. He continues to perform live with his band and remains active in both independent and mainstream music spaces.