Anurag Saikia, a talented singer-composer from Moran, Assam, made a remarkable impact at the Sobha Realty IIFA Digital Awards 2025, winning the coveted ‘Best Title Track’ award for his soulful composition Ishq Hai from Mismatched Season 3.
Held in Jaipur, the star-studded event saw Saikia triumph over industry giants like AR Rahman and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, marking his victory as especially significant. Ishq Hai was nominated alongside tracks from Amar Singh Chamkila, Bandish Bandits Season 2, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, and Panchayat Season 3, further highlighting its widespread acclaim.
In an exclusive interview with ND24, Saikia expressed his gratitude, saying, “The response to Ishq Hai has been overwhelming, and winning this award feels like a dream. Being nominated alongside legends like AR Rahman Sir and Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sir is already an incredible honour… they are my gurus. Rahman Sir is God-like, and Bhansali Sir is an institution. I’m truly grateful to everyone who contributed to this song – it wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
Reflecting on his journey in the OTT space, Saikia added, “From Panchayat to Mismatched, it’s been a journey filled with love and learning. I am deeply thankful to everyone who has supported me, especially the people of Assam.”
Since the news of his win broke, Saikia has been inundated with congratulatory messages. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X to praise him, writing, “
I am really happy to see more of Assam’s shining stars making it BIG in Bollywood. Many congratulations to the extremely talented Anurag Saikia, for beating established veterans, and securing the Best Title Track Awards at @IIFA for ‘Ishq Hai’ from Mismatched (sic).”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also congratulated him, saying, “Congratulations to our very own, pride of Moran Anurag Saikia on winning the Best Title Track award at @IIFA for his song Ishq Hai from Mismatched S3. A household name in India’s music industry, Anurag has shown that with dedication and determination, even the sky is not the limit. My best wishes (sic).”
Saikia’s evocative and emotional music has earned him recognition in both the digital and mainstream film industries. His work on popular web series like Gullak, Panchayat, and Cheesecake, alongside Bollywood films such as Thappad, Article 15, and Babli Bouncer, showcases his versatility. Additionally, he has contributed to Assamese cinema with projects like Swargarath and Dikchow Banat Palaax.
Reflecting on his career, Saikia shared, “I moved to Mumbai in 2011, and since then, the journey has been fruitful. Today, I’ve reached a stage where my work is being looked up to. From films to the digital space, I have found my footing. The OTT platforms have helped me reach a much larger audience. People may not always go to cinemas, but OTT is in everyone’s hands.”
Despite his success, Saikia remains deeply connected to his roots in Assam. “Assam is my safe space. I believe that if I ever stop making music, I can return home, and the people will still love me. Their love and support are my armour and blessings,” he shared.
Talking about his upcoming projects, Saikia revealed, “Naina from John Abraham-starrer The Diplomat has just been launched. Panchayat Season 4 is in progress, and I have several exciting film projects lined up for 2025.” When asked about his current favourite song, he promptly replied, “Sajni from Laapataa Ladies. Ram Sampath, Arijit Singh, and Prashant Pandey are just superb in the song.”
Saikia, a huge fan of Zubeen Garg, also keeps an eye on talent emerging from his home state. “I like Shankuraj Konwar and Paplu Chetia. Achurjya Barpatra is also doing good work. There’s so much talent in Assam… everyone has potential in one way or another.”
Ishq Hai, a romantic ballad also sung by Romy, Amarabha Banerjee, Varun Jain, and Madhubanti Bagchi, with lyrics by Raj Shekhar, has captivated audiences nationwide, holding its position at the top of the music charts well into 2025. Composed and produced by Saikia and Oblong Sioni, the track’s emotional depth has made it a fan favourite.
Mismatched Season 3 sees the return of Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli as Rishi and Dimple, navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship, a new job, and personal loss. Directed by Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari, with a screenplay by Gazal Dhaliwal, Mismatched Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix India, offering an emotional and relatable journey for fans of the series.
