Though his own debut as a composer was supposed to be “Kalki” (1990), the film never got released and “Manasu Mamatha” (1990) still remains his ‘debut’ as a composer.His first big success was “Kshanakshanam” (1991). The song “Jaamuratiri Jaabilamma” from the film became extremely popular - Keeravani claims that it was the only song that the director had no problems with and accepted it  in the first go! Having established his name thus, he went on to be one of the most sought after music directors down south, even winning the National Film Award for composing the music of the film “Annamayya” (1997).

His tryst with Hindi films started in 1994, with the dubbed version of his Telugu film “Criminal” (1994) under Mahesh Bhatt. Two years later came Sudhir Mishra’s “Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahi” (1996), in which the song “Chup Tum Raho” was lauded. He even sang the song “Jeevan Kya Hai” from the film. Another Hindi film of his that was well received for its music was “Zakhm” (1998), especially the song “Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla.” Some of his other Hindi cinema hits include “Sur” (2002), “Jism” (2003), “Rog” (2005) as well as “Paheli” (2005), with songs of “Jism” being perhaps what he is remembered most for, especially “Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein.”

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