Indian music composer Shashwat Sachdev has shared his thoughts on an extraordinary musical collaboration with Oscar-winning legend Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard for the upcoming British television series Virdee. Known for his powerful and emotionally rich compositions in projects like Uri The Surgical Strike and The Ba**s of Bollywood*, Shashwat is now taking his artistry to an international level by co-creating the title theme for Virdee.
Speaking about this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Shashwat said, “Some collaborations feel like destiny finding its sound. When the intention is pure, the right people just appear. This journey has been about honesty curiosity and deep respect for Hans and James.”
He added that his music always carries the essence of India — “a bit of Rajasthan dust a bit of Bombay rain and a lot of heart.” According to him, magical moments in music aren’t something one can chase; they naturally happen when the artist is ready. “Music lives somewhere between ego and silence — that’s where the real magic sits,” he said.
Virdee is a six-episode British crime thriller featuring Staz Nair as a detective investigating murders within the Asian community in Bradford. Adapted from A A Dhand’s bestselling crime novels, the show highlights strong representation of British-Asian talent and promises a cinematic narrative filled with depth and culture.
Shashwat reflected on the universal nature of music, saying, “From Mumbai to Los Angeles it’s still the same heartbeat. This collaboration carried humility pride and soulfulness all in one breath — a reminder that music isn’t made it’s remembered.”
Describing himself as “a nomad a gypsy soul traveling through cultures and countries,” Shashwat shared that working with Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard was one of the most meaningful experiences of his musical journey.
This project marks a major global crossover for Shashwat Sachdev, merging Indian music sensibilities with international cinematic soundscapes. Meanwhile, Hans Zimmer, who has previously collaborated with Indian artists, is also set to make his Bollywood debut with AR Rahman for Nitesh Tiwari’s epic Ramayana.