Sneha Khanwalkar
- himanshu105
- Mar 21, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Nov 1
Based in Mumbai
Sneha Khanwalkar is an Indian music director celebrated for her bold fusion of Indian classical, folk, and contemporary soundscapes. Hailing from Indore, she was raised in a family rooted in the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani classical music, which profoundly shaped her sonic sensibilities.
She first drew acclaim for her immersive score in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), where she undertook extensive field research across rural North India to capture authentic local music.
However, it was her work on Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur Parts 1 and 2 that cemented her reputation—earning a rare Best Music Director nomination at the 58th Filmfare Awards, making her the second woman ever to be nominated in that category, 28 years after Usha Khanna.
Beyond films, Sneha expanded the canvas of Indian music through her MTV mini-series Sound Trippin, where she traveled across the country sampling ambient sounds and textures—from Punjab to Leh—to create location-inspired soundscapes.
Her creative ethos blends tradition and innovation: adventurous with instrumentation, deeply rooted in cultural listening, and always seeking fresh voices—like discovering a 16-year-old singer ("Chhi Chha Ledar") during field recordings for Gangs of Wasseypur.
Her work on Jindal Steel's 'The Steel of India', entered by Early Man Film, won two Golds at the Good Ads Matter Awards 2025, under Original Music Composition & Sound Design.
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