The year was 1998. A low -budget film about the dark underbelly of Mumbai called 'Satya' had captured the country's imagination. The Indian audiences arose to a stunningly new, in-your-face background score.

It was perhaps the first time in Indian cinema that the background score made the original soundtrack take a snug backseat.

Whispers of a certain name began doing the rounds of the hallowed portals of Bollywood. The name was Sandeep Chowta, a man who came, saw and swiftly conquered the music battlefield. What followed since is nothing short of a fairy tale. Successful and strikingly different soundtracks for Ram Gopal Varma's blockbusters 'Mast' and 'Jungle'. Background scores for ‘Musafir’ 'Asoka', 'Vaastav' 'Kaun' and 'Shool'. Youth anthems in 2001 and 2002 in the form of "Kambakth Ishq"('Pyar Tune Kya Kiya') and "Khallas"('Company') respectively. A great start to 2003 with 'Dum' and "Hollywood-Bollywood".

The man's life is as interesting as his music, if not more. Born in Ghana, raised partly in Nigeria and Bangalore, Sandeep is now based in Chennai and is creating waves across the country via Mumbai! One wonders how long it would be before this extremely talented composer goes westward.

Sandeep took a keen interest in jazz in school, after stumbling on his father's collection. He shied away from the family hospitality business and jumped headlong into the world of music. In his earlier days, he was devoted to jazz, leading him to form the band 'Pulse' with Shivamani and Keith Peters. Nagarjuna, who recommended him for the music of the Telugu film Ninne Pelladutha, which turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the industry and marked Sandeep’s grand foray into the film industry, then spotted Chowta. Bollywood was obviously the next stop and then 'Satya' happened. It is often said that techno-savvy musicians allow the gizmos to overpower the emotional content of their music. Sandeep Chowta is a clear exception. His immense knowledge of global music that incorporates Nigerian and Rajasthani folk in the same range as rave music and rap, allows him access to popular sounds from every corner of the world

The array of voices that Sandeep Chowta has used to fuel and give substance to his compositions range from the more heard to the experimental -  from Asha Bhosle and Alisha Chinai to Sowmya Raoh and Sonu Kakkar. An entire universe of talent has mushroomed around Sandeep's creativity, as is evident from the success of VIVA and Sunidhi Chauhan.

Sandeep Has directed many music videos - Khubsoorat, Call of the Lover, etc., which was path breaking for their different styles and treatments.

Sandeep recently directed a ten-minute short film titled ‘Dead End’ dealing with the drug peddling menace rampant in the country. The film shocked its viewers at all its screenings and has nonetheless been termed ‘effective’. (Log onto his website for all the reactions from various sections of the media.)

Sandeep resurfaced last year with a path breaking soundtrack for the Telugu film ‘Super’ starring Nagarjuna and Ayesha Takia. This was the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh cinema that Telugu songs made it to the national channels. The music recorded one of the highest pre-release sales in Andhra in the last 10 years .It is no secret that Super’s achievement was entirely attributed to the music’s success.

For Sandeep the ultimate excitement was to develop a new approach to making music with his American counterparts. Moreover, he is now ready to vent out all his concepts, ideas and collaborative efforts, which he has been brewing in his creative mind over the years. The onslaught begins with his brand new single ‘MALLIKA I HATE YOU’ for which he has even directed the music video.

Sandeep is currently working with AO to compose music for the Beijing Olympics 2008. He is currently involved in producing a groundbreaking album titled American Pilgrimage to be released soon. It showcases the talents of several jazz greats like John Scofield, Dave Valentin, Vinnie Coloiuta, Eddie Daniels, Bunny Brunel, and Jay Oliver.

More cosmic than cosmetic, the sound of the Sandeep Chowta is the sound of the future. Spiritual and sensuous, meditative and erotic...

Frankly speaking, there is no definite answer to that question. Sandeep's music does not contain a note of flab, but always fab.

Sandeep's music cuts across global segregations to speak to every generation and community.