Ajay-Atul is the name by which Indian film composing duo of brothers Ajay and Atul Gogavale are professionally known as. In 2008, Ajay-Atul won the Best Music Direction award at the 56th National Film Awards from the Government of India for contributing music to the Marathi film Jogwa. The pair made their debut on the 2015 Forbes India Celebrity 100 List securing a position of 82 and at position 22nd in 2019. They have composed music for many hit Hindi movies such as Zero, Tanhaji, Tumbbad, PK, Agneepath, Singham, Brothers, Panipat & Marathi movies like Sairat, Jogwa, Natrang, Lai Bhari, Fandry.
Career in Marathi and Bollywood
Ajay and Atul Gogavale were born to Ashok Gogavale, a Revenue Department officer in Alandi in Pune. Both were born in Pune and brought up in several villages in western Maharashtra, including Junnar, Shirur, Manchar and Ghodegaon as their father had a transferable job. Atul was born on 11 September 1974 and Ajay his younger brother born on 21 August 1976.
In their childhood, they were not much attracted towards academics. But their interest in music developed while they were still in school. Around this time, they started experimenting with music. In an NCC competition, Ajay played an existing composition differently, and they won the prize for their experiment. This instance inspired them to explore their music potential.
They did not have a musical background. Although they were not supported by their family directly for music, they were never denied any assistance. As their family could not afford the instruments for their musical endeavors, they started their musical ventures through their school, temples, local bands, etc. Despite not getting direct training, they learned a lot from these ventures. They would befriend people who owned instruments like harmoniums, mridangam, dhol etc., since they could not afford them on their own. Later, while at college, they started working with local bands as arrangers. Their father bought them a keyboard on their mother’s insistence. This proved to be one of their greatest gifts. Their father said, “You have not been given any toys during childhood, now this is your toy.” This inspired them and they started experimenting. Later, they came to Mumbai and started working on an international non-film music album “Vishwavinayaka”. This proved to be a big break for them and paved the way for their foray into the Indian (mostly Marathi) music industry. They worked on many commercial jingles, ballets, and advertisements to strengthen their profile.
Man Udhān Vāryāche (मन उधाण वाऱ्याचे), Malhāravārī (मल्हारवारी), Kombdī Paḷalī (कोंबडी पळाली ) are some of their notable compositions. Ajay-Atul composed the songs and background score for the Marathi film Naṭarang (नटरंग) (2010). Their composition for Naṭarang was influenced by traditional Marathi folk music forms like Lavani (लावणी), Phaṭakā (फटका) and Tamāśā (तमाशा). They composed music for the Hindi films Singham & Bol Bachchan starring Ajay Devgan and directed by Rohit Shetty and Agneepath & Brothers produced by Karan Johar and Directed by Karan Malhotra. They have also contributed music to the Aamir Khan starer film PK. In 2016, they worked in Nagraj Manjule’s film Sairat which is the only Marathi film to gross over 1 billion. They also worked in Manasu Malligey Kannada remake of Sairat which is directed by S. Narayan and Dhadak Hindi remake of Sairat which is directed by Shashank Khaitan & Produced by Dharma Productions. They produced Marathi film Jaundya Na Balasaheb Directed by Girish Kulkarni. 2018 become a superhit year for them. They worked for Dhadak, Tumbbad, Thugs of Hindustan, Mauli, Zero. In Mauli film they composed 2.0 version of their song ‘mauli mauli’ from Lai Bhari with ‘Majhi Pandharichi Maay’, They also featured in that music video. Their first song from Zero Mera Naam Tu garnered 18 million views in 24 hours on YouTube.
Filmography
| Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Director | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gayab | Prawaal Raman | Hindi | Songs |
| Aga Bai Arrecha! | Kedar Shinde | Marathi | Songs and Background Score | |
| 2005 | Goad Gupit | – | ||
| Jatra | Kedar Shinde | |||
| Savarkhed: Ek Gaon | Rajiv Patil | Songs | ||
| Viruddh… Family Comes First | Mahesh Manjrekar | Hindi | 2 tracks and Background Score | |
| Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! | Mahesh Manjrekar | 1 track | ||
| Struggler | – | Songs | ||
| 2006 | Restaurant | Sachin Kundalkar | Marathi | Background Score |
| Shock | Harish Shankar | Telugu | Song | |
| 2007 | Zabardast | Mahesh Kothare. | Marathi | Songs |
| Bandh Premache | – | |||
| Saade Maade Teen | Ankush Choudhary –Sachit Patil | 1 track | ||
| 2008 | Checkmate | Sanjay Jadhav | Title song | |
| 2008 | Tujya Majya Sanasarala Aani Kaay Have | Rajiv Patil | Song | |
| Uladhaal | Aditya Sarpotdar | Songs and Background Score | ||
| Mumbai Amchich | – | Background Score | ||
| 2009 | Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad | Satish Rajwade | 1 track | |
| Bedhund | – | Songs | ||
| Oxygen: Jiv Gudmartoy | Rajiv Patil | |||
| Jogwa | Rajiv Patil | |||
| Natarang | Ravi Jadhav | Song and Background Score | ||
| 2010 | Ringa Ringa | Sanjay Jadhav | Songs | |
| 2011 | Atta Ga Baya | Sanjay Narvekar | 2 tracks | |
| My Friend Pinto | Raaghav Da | Hindi | Song and Background Score | |
| Singham | Rohit Shetty | |||
| 2012 | Agneepath | Karan Malhotra | ||
| Bol Bachchan | Rohit Shetty | 1 Track recreated from “Ringa Ringa” | ||
| 2013 | Bhartiya | Girish Mohite | Marathi | Songs |
| Dhating Dhingana | – | Song & Background Score | ||
| 2014 | Fandry | Nagraj Manjule | Theme Song | |
| Lai Bhaari | Nishikant Kamat | Songs | ||
| PK | Rajkumar Hirani | Hindi | (1 track) | |
| 2015 | Brothers | Karan Malhotra | Song & Background Score (1 song recreated from Jatra) | |
| Nilkanth Master | Gajendra Ahire | Marathi | Songs | |
| 2016 | Sairat | Nagraj Manjule | Song, Lyrics & Background Score | |
| Jaundya Na Balasaheb | Girish Kulkarni | Song & Background Score | ||
| 2017 | Manasu Mallige | S. Narayan | Kannada | Remake of Sairat. 4 songs reused. |
| 2018 | Mauli | Aditya Sarpotdar | Marathi | Songs |
| Dhadak | Shashank Khaitan | Hindi | ||
| Thugs of Hindostan | Vijay Krishna Acharya | |||
| Tumbbad | Rahi Anil Barve Adesh Prasad |
Title track (1 track) | ||
| Zero | Aanand L. Rai | 4 Songs & Background Score | ||
| 2019 | Super 30 | Vikas Bahl | Songs & Background Score | |
| Panipat | Ashutosh Gowariker | Song & Background Score | ||
| 2020 | Tanhaji | Om Raut | 1 Track | |
| 2021 | Jhund | Nagraj Manjule | Song & Background Score | |
| Chandramukhi | Prasad Oak | Marathi | ||
| Jaggu Ani Juliet | Mahesh Limaye | |||
| Shivaji | Nagraj Manjule | |||
| Raja Shivaji | ||||
| Chatrapati Shivaji |
Albums
| Year | Album | Language | Contribution |
| 1999 | College College | Hindi (audio movie) | Composers |
| 2001 | Vishwavinayak | Sanskrit | Composers |
| 2002 | Shri Ram Mantra | Sanskrit | Arrangers |
| 2003 | Sang Sang Ho Tum | Hindi | Composers, 7 out of 8 tracks |
| 2003 | Bedhund | Marathi | Composers, 7 out of 8 tracks |
| 2003 | Meera Kahen | Hindi | Composers |
| 2006 | Vishwatma | Sanskrit | Composers |
Serials/Daily Soaps
| Sr.No. | Serial/Track | Channel | Notes/Awards |
| 1. | Raja Shivchatrapati | Star Pravah | Maharashtra Times Sanman |
| 2. | Zee Gaurav Geet | Zee Marathi | Zee Gaurav Award |
| 3. | Eka Peksha Ek | Zee Marathi | |
| 4. | Lakh Lakh Chanderi | Zee Talkies | |
| 5. | Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa | Zee Marathi | |
| 6. | Hafta Band | Zee Marathi | |
| 7. | Hasyasamraat | Zee Marathi | |
| 8. | Cricket Club | Zee Marathi | |
| 9. | Bhavanjali | Mi Marathi | |
| 10. | Kya Baat Hai | ETV Marathi | |
| 11. | Misha | Zee Marathi | |
| 12. | Amchya Sarkhe Amhich | Zee Marathi | |
| 13. | Bola Bola Tring Tring | DD Sahyadri | |
| 14. | Shriyut Gagadhar Tipre | Zee Marathi | Background Score |
| 15. | Wadalvaat | Zee Marathi | Background Score |
| 16. | Bedhund Manachya Lahari | ETV Marathi | Background Score |
| 17. | Mahabharat | Star Plus | Title Song |
| 18. | Sony Entertainment Television | Sony Channel | Sony Theme Track |
| 19. | Sony Marathi theme song | Sony Marathi | Sony Marathi theme song |
| 20. | Kaun banega Crorepati 11 theme | Sony Channel | |
| 21. | Sony Marathi Gaurav Geet | Sony Marathi |
Plays/Dramas
| Sr.No. | Play/Drama Name | Notes/Awards |
| 1. | Sahi Re Sahi | Alpha Gaurav 2003 Award |
| 2. | Lochya Zala Re | Maharashtra Rajya Vyavsayik Natya Spardha Award |
| 3. | Mr. Na. Ma. Deo Mhane | |
| 4. | Gopala Re Gopala | |
| 5. | Kala Ya Laglya Jiva | 2007 Maharashtra Rajya Vyavsayik Natya Spardha Award |
| 6. | Jahale Chatrapati Shivray | |
| 7. | Man Udhaan Varyache |
Awards
| Year | Award national award | Award Category best music director | Award Details |
| 2003 | Alpha Gaurav (Later Zee Gaurav) | Best Music Direction | Play: Sahi Re Sahi |
| 2004–05 | Maharashtra Kala Niketan Award | Best Music Direction | Film: Savarkhed: Ek Gaon |
| 2004–05 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Music Direction | Film: Savarkhed: Ek Gaon |
| 2004–05 | Maharashtra Rajya Natya Vyavsayik Spardha | Best Music Direction | Play: Lochya Zala Re |
| 2004–05 | Sanskruti Kala Darpan | Best Music Direction | Film: Aga Bai Arrecha |
| 2007 | Maharashtra Rajya Natya Vyavsayik Spardha | Best Music Direction | Play: Kala Ya Laglya Jiva |
| 2008 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Music Direction | Film: Zabardast |
| 2008 | Zee Gaurav | Best Music Direction | Film: Bandh Premache |
| 2008 | Akhil Bhartiy Marathi Chitrpat Mahamandal Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Tujhya Majhya Sansarala Aani Kaay Have |
| 2008 | Akhil Bhartiy Marathi Chitrpat Mahamandal Awards | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Tujhya Majhya Sansarala Aani Kaay Have |
| 2008 | Sanskruti Kala Darpan | Best Music Direction | Film: Tujhya Majhya Sansarala Aani Kaay Have |
| 2009 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Music Direction | Serial: Raja Shivchatrpati |
| 2009 | V Shantaram Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Uladhaal |
| 2009 | V Shantaram Awards | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Uladhaal, Song- Morya Morya |
| 2009 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Uladhaal, Song- Morya Morya |
| 2009 | Late Music Director Shrikant Thackeray Awards | Best Music Direction | – |
| 2009 | Sanskruti Kala Darpan | Best Music Direction | Film: Jogwa |
| 2009 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Music Direction | Film: Jogwa |
| 2010 | National Film Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Jogwa |
| 2010 | Zee Gaurav | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | Zee Gaurav | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2010 | Sanskruti Kala Darpan | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | Shivgaurav | Influential Personalities | – |
| 2010 | 47th State Film Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | 47th State Film Awards | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2010 | V Shantaram Awards | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2010 | V Shantaram Awards | Best Background Score | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | V Shantaram Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | Star Majha “Majha Sanman” | Best Music Direction | |
| 2010 | Bal Gandharva Awards | Best Music Direction | |
| 2010 | BIG FM BIG Music Director Award | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2010 | BIG FM BIG Playback Singer Award | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2010 | BIG FM BIG Song of the Year Award | Best Song of the Year | Film: Natarang, Song: Apsara Aali |
| 2010 | Pu. La. Tarunai Sanman | Music Direction | – |
| 2010 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2010 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Best Song | Film: Natarang, Song: Wajle Ki Bara |
| 2011 | Marathi International Film and Theater Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Natarang |
| 2011 | Marathi International Film and Theater Awards | Best Playback Singer- Ajay Gogavale | Film: Natarang, Song: Khel Mandla |
| 2011 | Ram Kadam Kalagaurav Award | Music Direction | – |
| 2011 | Zee Marathi Awards | Best Judges | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (Marathi) Season – X |
| 2012 | Zee Gaurav Awards | Marathi Paul Padte Pudhe | – |
| 2013 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Background Score | Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | Rajarshee Shahu Gaurav Puraskar | – | – |
| 2013 | ETC Business Awards | Most popular song of 2012 – Chikni Chameli | Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | Stardust Awards | Best Music Direction | Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | 5th Mirchi Music Awards | Song of the year | Abhi Mujh Me Kahin Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | 5th Mirchi Music Awards | Album of the year | Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | 5th Mirchi Music Awards | Music Composer of The Year | Film: Agneepath |
| 2013 | Times of India Film Awards 2013 | Best Music Director | Film: Agneepath |
| 2019 | Zee Cine Awards 2019 | Best Music Director | Film: Dhadak |