Pandemic has broken film music's hold over biz: Universal's Devraj Sanyal

Till the pandemic struck in March 2020, film music was over 70 per cent of the market. The restrictions around Covid meant that not many new films or music were released

Devraj Sanyal is a force of nature. Every time I talk to the 46-year-old head of Universal Music Group’s South Asia business, he overwhelms me with his energy. Whether it is music, entertainment, marketing or media, Sanyal, a former vocalist with heavy metal band Brahma is a mine of information. And he can hold forth. So, I place a large cup of black tea by my side before logging in one Friday morning from Delhi to meet Sanyal at his home in Mumbai. He’s been up all night and is chuffed as hell. Universal, along with its group label Capitol,