From Bandish Bandits to a genre-fluid soundscape, Samad Khan is charting a path that’s as personal as it is powerful.
I discovered Samad Khan through one of his infamous Instagram covers, covering one of my favourite Kaavish songs – and instantly knew I had stumbled upon an artist with something rare. Honest, funny, and refreshingly unpolished – with spectacles often slipping down his nose – his voice cut through the static of curated content, and left me wanting more.
While today he’s steadily becoming one of the most exciting voices in India’s independent music scene, Samad’s journey began during a global standstill. “I think it was during the lockdown when Ehsaan Noorani used to go live on Instagram,” he recalls. “I had written for my college band before, but that was the first time I really started writing for myself. That’s where it all started.”
Samad’s creativity isn’t bound by studio walls; it can strike anywhere. “I take inspiration from everywhere, honestly. But one time, I wrote a song while eating momos, and I’m pretty sure that if I hadn’t been eating those momos, that song wouldn’t exist,” he shares. It’s this offbeat spontaneity that catalyses his most authentic work.
Late nights are Samad’s zone when it comes to writing. Armed with an instrument and a quiet space, he immerses himself in the emotion he’s feeling at that moment. “I like to keep my songs simple,” he says. “If I can express an emotion in just a few words and capture that feeling, it becomes easier for people to connect.”
With Samad, most things are unconventional and rarely planned to a T. Acting wasn’t part of Samad’s plan either, until it was. “They reached out to me on Instagram… I thought it was a scam,” he admits. Two weeks later, he landed a primary role in the Amazon Prime series Bandish Bandit and moved to Bombay. “I was going through a difficult phase, but this opportunity gave me a fresh start.” And while acting proved to be an eye-opening detour, music remains his true calling. “I definitely see myself doing more acting in the future, but music will always be my priority.”
Navigating both the music and acting industries has given Samad a sharp understanding of creative dichotomies – particularly the contrast between writing independent music and composing for scripted projects. “But with independent music, you’re representing yourself
as an artist – your opinions, your perspective on the world, and the message you want to put out all play a big role,” he explains. “Independent music gives me freedom to explore ideas that come from personal experience.”
On how performing live changes the way an artist experiences their own music, Samad shares, “It’s weird, because I can never experience my music the way the audience does. On stage, I have a click track in my in-ears, while the crowd hears the full mix.” But it’s this very disconnect that has deepened his understanding of precision. “Performing live teaches you precision. In the studio, you get retakes. On stage, there’s no room for mistakes. Every show is a learning experience. It’s been a huge part of my growth as an artist.”
Like many indie artists, his biggest challenge wasn’t creative – it was finding his tribe. “The hardest part was finding the right people. I was in Gurgaon for the longest time, and there’s no music industry there. When I moved to Bombay for Bandish Bandits, I was still figuring things out.”
The turning point? When he began releasing music and connected with Raghav Meattle, and first.wav came into the picture. “They helped me understand the business side of things. Without that, I’d probably still be lost. You can work hard, but having the right support system makes all the difference,” he shares.
Since his first track, his sound has continued to evolve. “The more I write, the better it gets. I’ve always listened to a wide range of genres, and that reflects in my music as well.” Currently working across five genres, he describes his growth as organic. “It’s like understanding the core of your songwriting and letting it branch out. No two songs on our album Bemisaal sound the same. As an artist, change is the only constant.”
When he’s not recording or performing, he’s unwinding. “I chill at home, go to the gym, and catch up with friends. I also write a lot, but never in a structured way. Ideas usually come when I’m not actively thinking about music.” His album, Bemisaal, created with longtime friend and collaborator Bharath, unfolds across seven tracks that capture the full spectrum of love – from the euphoria of falling in love, to the irresistible groove of Habibi, and the quiet ache of heartbreak.
With Samad, there’s plenty to look forward to through more genre-hopping experiments with every new release. “Last year was about building,” Samad shares. “This year, it’s about releasing – putting everything we’ve worked on out into the world.”
