Rs 1,200 crore movie's music composer once tried to end his life twice: Ravi Basrur opens up about struggle during early years

Music director Ravi Basrur, whose background score powered one of India’s biggest film franchises, made a deeply personal revelation at a recent film event that left many in silence. The composer, known for shaping the sound of the ₹1,200 crore blockbuster KGF: Chapter 2, said there was a time when he did not want to live.

Speaking at the teaser launch of the Telugu film Cult, Ravi opened up about his early struggles, sharing that he had attempted suicide twice when he was just 18.

Ravi Basrur became widely known after composing for KGF: Chapter 1 and later its sequel, directed by Prashanth Neel and headlined by Yash. The sequel went on to collect over ₹1,200 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk, and was declared an “All Time Blockbuster.” His work on Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire further strengthened his position across industries. But long before this success, his life was very different.


At the Cult teaser event, where actor-director Vishwak Sen surprised him with a Rolex watch on stage, Ravi became emotional while addressing the audience.

“I have 25 years of experience. I have always tried to give good music to good people. Today, with this honour, he has appreciated my soul. He appreciated my dedication towards music. It is not just a watch, it is an appreciation for musicians,” he said. “By the age of 18, I had attempted suicide twice”

Then came the part that stunned many present at the event. “I didn’t want this life. However, I was saved both times. The man who saved me the second time heard my music, bought me a keyboard, and gave me Rs 35,000. That day, I changed my name to Ravi—it was the name of the man who saved my life.”

In an earlier interview, Ravi had also spoken about leaving home due to his passion for films. He had no money and survived on water for three days. He had even planned which temples he would visit for prasadam just to manage food. On one such day, when he missed getting prasadam, an elderly man noticed him and took him to a goldsmith. Ravi was offered work, but he refused, saying he wanted to pursue music. When he asked for Rs 35,000 to buy a keyboard, the man gave him the amount without hesitation. That man’s name was Ravi. The composer, whose real name is Kiran, later adopted the name Ravi Basrur, combining it with his village name.