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Arjun Janya: The Bengaluru Boy Who Scored 100 Kannada Films in 13 Years

Born Lokesh Kumar, he went from Autograph Please to a century of scores, two Filmfares and a turn as director.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Arjun Janya is a Bengaluru born Kannada film composer, born Lokesh Kumar in 1980.
  • He debuted with Autograph Please (2006) and scored his 100th film, 99, in 2019.
  • He won the Karnataka State Film Award for Alemaari and Filmfare Awards South for Bhajarangi and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam October 25, 2026 • 2 min read
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A recording studio mixing console looking through glass at an orchestra of string players in headphones

Arjun Janya was born in Bengaluru on 13 May 1980.

“His 100th film as a music director was 99.”

• Wikipedia, on Arjun Janya

Arjun Janya, born Lokesh Kumar in Bengaluru on 13 May 1980, is a Kannada film composer, playback singer and director. He debuted with Autograph Please in 2006, broke through with Birugaali, Sanchari and Kempegowda, and reached his 100th film, 99, in 2019. He has won a Karnataka State Film Award, three SIIMA awards and two Filmfare Awards South.

A hundred films in thirteen years is a pace most composers would call unreasonable. Here is the documented record.

Quick Information

Most people struggle to finish one playlist. He scored a hundred films before he turned forty.

Born
Lokesh Kumar, 13 May 1980, Bengaluru
Debut
Autograph Please (2006)
Breakthrough
Birugaali; Sanchari; Kempegowda
100th film
99 (2019)
State award
Alemaari (2012)
SIIMA
Romeo; Vajrakaya; Roberrt
Filmfare South
Bhajarangi (2013); Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi (2024)
Also
Playback singer and director

Who Is Arjun Janya?

Arjun Janya is a Bengaluru-born composer who works mainly in Kannada cinema, known for commercial hits across the 2010s. He plays guitar and keyboard and sings some of his own songs.

What Were Arjun Janya's Big Films?

After Autograph Please in 2006, he rose with Birugaali in 2009 and had his breakthrough with Sanchari in 2010 and Kempegowda in 2011. Varadanayaka, Victory, Vajrakaya, Mukunda Murari and The Villain followed.

  • 2006 Autograph Please
  • 2011 Kempegowda
  • 2013 Bhajarangi
  • 2015 Vajrakaya
  • 2019 99, his 100th film

Which Awards Has Arjun Janya Won?

He won the Karnataka State Film Award for best music director for Alemaari, SIIMA awards for Romeo, Vajrakaya and Roberrt, and Filmfare Awards South for Bhajarangi and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

Arjun Janya is a screen name; he was born Lokesh Kumar.

Why Does Arjun Janya Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He was born in Bengaluru and has built his entire career in the city's Kannada film industry.

HOW I PUT THIS TOGETHER

I haven't interviewed Arjun Janya for this piece. It's pieced together from online research: published interviews, news reports, books and official records, cross-checked against each other. If you know Arjun Janya and spot something I've got wrong, tap the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right and tell me, and I'll fix it.

FAQs

Who is Arjun Janya?

A Bengaluru-born Kannada film composer, singer and director.

What is Arjun Janya's real name?

Lokesh Kumar.

What was Arjun Janya's 100th film?

99, released in 2019.

Favourite Janya Track?

Tell me which Arjun Janya song you would put on a Bengaluru road trip. Click the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right of your screen and tell me. That is also the easiest way to reach The City 24/7 about anything at all, including nominating someone for People of Bangalore.

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Same city, new stories, always.

Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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