In 2017, when he was barely out of his teens, singer-composer Sanjith Hegde performed in Indian reality TV singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and garnered an army of fans in Karnataka as a result. Although he didn’t place in the final three, he won plenty of hearts—and this popularity and talent sent him to Sandalwood. With a distinct voice that quivers as well as soars, Hegde has often represented youthful themes and styles in film soundtracks, with his solo material an outlet for groovy, soulful pop. His Kannada songs particularly shine as they showcase his versatility, clarity and passion.