Shakthisree Gopalan Makes Her Film Music Debut with Netflix’s Test

Shakthisree Gopalan’s voice has echoed through Tamil cinema for years, but her new role as a music composer brings a fresh chapter to her career. Known for her independent music and vocal contributions, the singer is about to step into new territory with Test, a Netflix original. What makes this journey even more intriguing is the story behind it—how Sashikanth, a familiar face in Shakthisree’s life, encouraged her to compose music for the film.

It wasn’t easy for Shakthisree to say yes at first. After being approached twice by the director and producer, she finally agreed to take the plunge. This third attempt marks her debut as a film composer, and she’s already feeling the weight of this new role.

A Personal Connection That Led to a Professional Leap

It’s not every day that a singer becomes a composer for a film. But Shakthisree Gopalan’s story with Test started long before the movie itself. The singer, who is also trained as an architect, had crossed paths with Sashikanth during her college years. He was a guest lecturer at her college, and their connection was one of mutual respect, which would later evolve into a professional collaboration.

“He’s been a mentor figure to me, and I feel that I can communicate with him in a way that is incredibly unique. We share a language of creativity that goes beyond words,” she says of Sashikanth, reflecting on their deep-rooted bond. When Sashikanth first asked Shakthisree to compose for his project, it came at a time when she didn’t feel ready. And so, she declined. But Sashikanth didn’t give up. He came back to her years later, and though the timing still wasn’t right, he didn’t stop pursuing her for the Test project.

When Shakthisree finally read the script for Test, it was the turning point. “The last few pages of the script were gripping. I told him to not even think about approaching other composers,” she recalls. What started as a hesitant “no” transformed into a firm “yes,” but only after a lot of soul-searching.

The Challenge of Scoring for a Film: From Songwriter to Composer

For Shakthisree, the transition from singer and songwriter to composer was a monumental shift. As an independent artist, creating her own music was second nature. But composing music for a film—aligning it with the film’s vision, the director’s tone, and the characters’ moods—was a different ball game altogether.

“I was nervous. A song is very different from scoring for a whole movie. With film music, there’s this fabric that holds the entire story together. It’s the vision of the filmmaker, and the music has to fit seamlessly into that,” she explains.

Despite her concerns, Shakthisree took the plunge. She embraced the challenge of bringing a new sound to Test, a movie created with such distinct visual and emotional undertones. “I live in a world of sounds and emotions, and feel that the sonic world is the most easily accessible paintbrush to express my feelings,” says Shakthisree, who also sees herself as a storyteller through music. Her creative process has always been about emotional expression, but scoring for Test was about more than just her own experiences—it was about telling the film’s story.

She worked closely with Sashikanth, whose approach to filmmaking and visuals complemented her own process. Together, they created a musical vision for the film—a sound that would resonate with the audience while staying true to the essence of the story.

AR Rahman’s Advice and the Final Push

The turning point in Shakthisree’s decision to compose music for Test came after a conversation with none other than AR Rahman. Feeling unsure about her readiness, Shakthisree reached out to the legendary composer for advice. “I was nervous about stepping into the role of a composer. But Rahman sir told me something that stuck with me: ‘Sometimes you can’t wait to be ready—you just have to do it,’” she recalls.

The encouragement from Rahman was a game-changer for Shakthisree. It gave her the confidence to embrace the opportunity, despite her initial hesitations.

“I kept telling Sashikanth that he should get Rahman to score for the film. But after meeting Rahman, I realized that the universe had its own plan. The time was right for me to step in and create music for Test,” says Shakthisree, reflecting on the turning point that shaped her decision.

Finding the Sonic Mood for Test

One of the most fascinating aspects of Shakthisree’s approach to composing for Test was her focus on the script. Unlike independent music, where she could draw from her own emotions, the music for Test had to align with the film’s narrative and characters. The script became her primary inspiration, the “biggest resource” in crafting the film’s score.

“We had a sonic mood board for Test, finding the right colors of sound to match the story. We were constantly searching for the essence of the characters and their worlds through music,” she shares. For Shakthisree, this process was like creating a visual painting—each note, beat, and melody was carefully chosen to complement the film’s aesthetic.

The music became a reflection of the film’s emotional tone, creating a deep connection between the audience and the characters. It wasn’t just about the sound—it was about enhancing the storytelling through the music.