Sooraj Santhosh (born September 19, 1987) is an Indian singer, songwriter, and composer. Santhosh is the recipient of a Kerala State Film Award (2016), 2 Mirchi Music Awards, and a Kerala State Film Critics Award (2021). He has sung around 300 songs in 8 languages.
Santhosh released his independent solo EP, The Gypsy Sun, in 2020. It's a multi-genre, multi-lingual album that consists of 5 songs.
Santhosh was the lead singer and has composed and performed with Masala Coffee until 2019, when he decided to dedicate more time to his own creative endeavors. Now he performs with his own band, Sooraj Santhosh Live.
Career In 2016, he was awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Playback Singer for the song "Thaniye", composed by Vishnu Vijay for the film Guppy.
Santhosh's first international project was with Ganesh B Kumar and the European Chamber Choir. He performed the Shanmukha Kavacham in Germany along with the Choir.
Independent Music In 2019, Santhosh started work on his solo independent EP, The Gypsy Sun, which had five songs in it. It's a multi-lingual album with tracks in Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil. He collaborated with musicians from across genres for this, like the hiphop artist Insanoid, music producer Varkey, and the renowned singer Sayanora.
Masala Coffee Santhosh was the former lead vocalist of Masala Coffee, which made its debut on Kappa TV's Music Mojo. The band composed the soundtrack for the Tamil movie, Uriyadi, co-produced by Nalan Kumarasamy. They composed the title track and featured in a promo video for the Malayalam movie, Hello Namasthe. Masala Coffee performed at the RAAG 'N' ROCK Indie Music Festival at Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai, on September 11, 2015, releasing their first music video titled 'Aalayaal Tharam Venam', in 2016. In November 2019, Masala Coffee announced that they were cordially parting ways with Santhosh, so the latter could pursue a promising solo music career. He made his independent band latter which came to know as Sooraj Santhosh Live
His first song "Inka Etho" composed by G.V Prakash for the Telugu Darling won him the Mirchi Music Awards South conducted by Radio Mirchi for the Best Upcoming Singer in Telugu (2010). "A Special program on the Mirchi Music Awards hosted to felicitate all the singers and musicians of South India"
Santhosh made his entry into the Tamil film industry by singing "Uyirin Suvaril" and "Vegam vegam" in the movie Sridhar (2012), which the music was composed by Rahul Raj. He got his break with a duet song "Yamma Yamma" in All in All Azhagu Raja (2013) with Shreya Ghoshal, music composed by S. Thaman. "Othakadai othakadai" and "Yaelley Yaelley" from the film Pandiya Naadu (2013) composed by D. Imman are other Tamil songs.
He has been nominated in the category of Best Upcoming Vocalist (Male) in Malayalam (2013) by Music Mirchi Awards, for his rendition of the song 'Iniyum Nin Mounam' for the movie KQ.
He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Thaniye Mizhikal" from the film Guppy.
The Gypsy Sun Santhosh is working on his debut solo album, which is a multilingual album consists of 6 songs, Recently he released one among them. "Thani Malayalam" which has wooed the audience with its unique theme and offbeat composition. The song's genesis is rooted in Santhosh's love for language. The Music Video features eminent personalities from Malayalam literature, culture, art and cinema like M T Vasudevan Nair, Sara Joseph, Benyamin, Nedumudi Venu, Peeshapilly Rajeevan, Artist Bhattathiri, Methil Devika, Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, Ramachandra Pulavar.
Discography
Malayalam YearFilmSong 2013 Second Show "Ee Ramayanakootil" Lokpal "Arjunante" "Mayam Mayam" Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala "Nin Neelamizhi" Ladies and Gentleman "Palaniram padarume" KQ "Iniyum Nin Mounam" 2015 Mallanum Mathevanum "Azhakey Allimalarey" Kunjiramayanam "Salsa" Madhura Naranga "Oru Naal" "Melle Vannu Konjiyo" 2016 Hello Namasthe "Ulakil Karanamila" Guppy "Thaniye" 2017 Team 5 "Azhcha" Ramante Edanthottam "Kavitha Ezhuthunnu" Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela "Enthaavo" Himalayathile Kashmalan "Akkidi" Solo "Aalayaal Thara Venam" 2018 Queen "Vennilave" 2018 Naam "Adichu Polichu" "Tank Takara" "Get Out House" Kaly "Kinnam Katta Kallan" 2019 June "Adyam Thammil" Kumbalangi Nights "Uyiril Thodum" Ambili "Aaraadhike" Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 "Pularan Neram" Underworld "Paravakal" Subharathri "Aalameenithinaadiyonu" Valiyaperunnal "Labbaikkallah" Dear Comrade "Mazhamegham" 2020 Anveshanam "Ilam Poove" Gauthamante Radham "Theythaka Tharam" Kappela "Kannil Vidarum" 2021 Roy "Arikin Arikil" Malik "Theerame" Madhuram "Gaaname" 2023Tholvi F.C."Pathiye" 2024Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys"Makane" Rifle Club "Gandharva Ganam" Amaran (D)"Uyire Uyire" 2025Coolie (2025 film) (D)"Kokki"2026Vaazha 2 (2026 film) (D)"Koodappirannor"2026Vaazha 2 (2026 film) (D)"Makane x Koodappirannor"
Tamil Year Film Song 2012 Sridhar Uyirin Suvaril Naane Vegam vegam Chandramouli Kala Kala kala Kala Dharmam Vazha 2013 Pandiya Naadu Yaeley Yaeley Maruthu Othakadai Othakadai Machaan All in all Azhagu Raja Yamma Yamma Varuthapadatha Vaalibar Sangam Yennada Yennada Kadhal Solla Aasai Madai Thiranthathu 2014 Bramman Vaanathile Nilavu Sooraiyadal Adiye Sarithaana Kadavul Paathi Mirugam Paathi Naan Indru Naan Thaane Anjaan Kaadhal Aasai 2015 Soan Papdi Enga Kaattula Mazhai Mozhivathu Yadhenil Vilai Illathadhu Ore Oru Raja Mokka Raaja Malare Mooche Eduthu Thoppi Paava patta naanga Achcharam Perazhaghai Thirudida Ivanuku Thannila Gandam Mappilla Mappilla Nanbargal Narpani Mandram Sirichaenae Chinna Ponudha Kanchana 2 Motta Paiyan Vaa Deal Vaa Deal Kida Poosari Magudi Chinna Paya Vayasu Ithiraiyil Varum Sambavangal Anaihtum Karpanaiyae Somariyum Neethan Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga Vasuvum Saravananum Puli Mannavanae Mannavanae Pattanathu Raja Edho Ondru Thonudhadi Selvandhan Rama Rama Mooch Marachan Bommai Jippaa Jimikki (2015) Ayyo Ayyo Kuttram Nadanthathu Enna Nee Konjumbothey Meymarandhaen Paaraayo En Kaadhale Appuram Enoa 2016 Vidayutham Allipoo Uriyadi Agni Kunjondru Kandaen Kantha Munnodi Akkam Pakkam 2017 Tubelight Kaathirunden 2018 Santhoshathil Kalavaram Kaatru Vaanga Nalla Kaatru Maniyaar Kudumbam Adi Pappali Palame 2019 Kanne Kalaimaane Endhan Kangalai Naadodigal 2 Adhuva Adhuva 2020 Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal Kanave Nee Naan 2025 3BHK "Kaanalin Mele" Coolie "Kokki"Aaromaley"Valiye Valiye"Sirai "Neelothi"'
Telugu Year Film Song 2008 Villagelo Vinayakudu Muddugaare 2010 Darling Inka Edho 2012 Marina Snehitudokadunte Crazy (Dubbed version) Alagodhey Alagodhey Theme Music 2013 ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (Dubbed version) I am a fool Chirunavvula Thotaku Swagatam Tadakha Viyyalavaru Palnadu Kalley Kalley Palike Satya 2 Bhashma dhaari Samaram Daarilo Velithey Adhee Lekka Emaina edhemaina 1-Nenokkadine O Sayonara Sayonara 2014 Legend Thanjavuru Ra Ra Krishnayya Come on baby Alludu Sreenu Labbar Bomma Rabhasa Dam Damare Paathshala Friendship Day Anthem Song Power Nuvvu Nenu Janta Aagadu Bhelpuri Ala Ela Yedutakaladu Yenduke 2015 Tiger Hey Tiger Maha Maharaju Evaremi Antunna S/O Satyamurthy One & Two & Three Chal Chalo Chalo Mosagallaku Mosagadu Oho Sundari Raamaaya Raamabhadraaya Rakshasudu (2015) Masss (Remix) Ganga Gundabbaayi Ak Rao Pk Rao Nuvu Vachetappudu Rahadhari Na Manasu Srimanthudu Rama Rama Jaya Suriya Urike Chilaka Prema Leela Jatha Kadathaavo Jvaliyinchele Nenu Sailaja Masti Masti 2016 Nannaku Prematho Love Me Again Pelli Choopulu Ee Babu Gariki Maari (Maas) (Dubbed version) Donu Donu Donu Supreme Anjaneyudu Neevadu 2017 Jaya Janaki Nayaka Andhamaina Seetakoka Chiluka 2018 Soda Goli Soda Teeranney Sanjeevani Jaano 2019 Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi Maarey Kalaley Brochevarevarura Vaale Chinukule Nandini Nursing Home Nanney Nanney Music Shop Murthy"Chinni Chinni" 2025 Coolie (2025 film) (D) "Kokki"
Kannada Year Film Song 2014 Hara Hare Rama 2015 Titlu Beka Hrudya Maaro 2016 Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu Ale Moodadhe Srinivasa Kalyana Bettadmele Srinivasu 2017 Ondu Motteya Kathe Keli Nodri 2019 Mundina Nildana Manase Maya Dear Comrade (Dubbed version) Kareyuveya
Hindi Year Film Song 2025 Coolie (2025 film) (D) "Kokki"
Awards
2016: Best Male Playback Singer – 'Thaniye Mizhikal', Guppy 2017: SIIMA, Best Playback Singer (Malayalam)- 'Thaniye Mizhikal', Guppy
References
Further reading
– An article in The Hindu dated 26 October 2013 – Pandianadu songs review. – music review of Pandianadu. – music review of Kadhal Solla Aasai – "Feature on the audio launch of the movie Kadhal Solla Aasai". – 'Parayathe' album description – Devathe en Nenjile song by Sooraj Santhosh. – 'Devi Sri Prasad gears up for concerts in US, Canada' – Suraj Santhosh in the team with Devi Sri Prasad – Suraj, singer, mollywood in Varthaprabhatham – Interview of Sooraj Santhosh on Asianet TV. – Kadavul Paathi Mirugam Paathi – Music Review (Tamil Movie Soundtrack) – Power Telugu Movie Audio Launch – Part 8 – Live performance of Sooraj Santhosh and Malavika (Power – Telugu movie audio launch) – Snehithane – Masala Coffee – Music Mojo – Promo – Kappa TV – New music album – London Love – Song – Azhake Ninave – New music album – Namma Ooru Song – Kaatrey Maasai – Mojo Rising music fest, organised by Kappa TV in Kochi (20th Feb, 2015) – An article in The Deccan Chronicle dated 31 May 2015. – Live performance of Rama Rama song at Srimanthudu audio release function – Shilpa Kala Vedhika, Hyderabad on July 18, 2015. – Mantra meets Classic – "Shanmuga Kavacham" – Sooraj Santhosh – Male Solo Tenor from India. – Translated (German to English) Article about the Mantra meets Classic concert in Germany dt Sept 22, 2015.