India – Kerala-born rapper Sooraj Cherukat, professionally known as Hanumankind, has emerged as a global sensation in 2025, blending death-defying stunts, cross-cultural hip-hop, and now a Bollywood debut that fuses Punjabi folk with his signature rap style. Born on October 17, 1992, in Malappuram, Cherukat's journey from a nomadic childhood across continents to headlining international tours exemplifies resilience and reinvention. His latest venture, contributing to the title track "Na De Dil Pardesi Nu (Jogi)" for the upcoming film Dhurandhar, marks his entry into Hindi cinema, starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Ali Khan. Featuring vocals from Jasmine Sandlas, Sudhir Yaduvanshi, Shashwat Sachdev, Mohd Sadiq, and Ranjit Kaur, the anthem has ignited buzz for its energetic mix of traditional elements and modern beats, signalling Hanumankind's broadening appeal beyond indie circuits.
Cherukat's early life was defined by frequent relocations due to his father's career in the oil industry, spanning Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Egypt, Qatar, and Italy before settling in Houston, Texas, during second grade. There, the city's Southern hip-hop scene—epitomised by DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, UGK, and Project Pat—ignited his passion for music. Returning to India, he earned a business administration degree from PSG College in Coimbatore in 2012, briefly working at Goldman Sachs and as a personal trainer before pursuing rap full-time.
Adopting the moniker Hanumankind—a nod to the Hindu deity Hanuman and the word "kind"—he debuted professionally in 2019 with the single "Daily Dose" from his EP Kalari, performing at festivals like NH7 Weekender. Early film contributions included "Maadeva" for the Kannada movie Popcorn Monkey Tiger and "The Last Dance" for the Malayalam hit Aavesham, laying groundwork for his fusion sound incorporating Indian instruments like chenda drums, tabla, and folk rhythms alongside influences from Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Logic.
The pivotal moment arrived in 2024 with "Big Dawgs", a collaboration with Hyderabad producer Kalmi and a remix featuring ASAP Rocky, which exploded to over 132 million Spotify streams and 83 million YouTube views. Filmed daringly inside Kerala's "maut ka kuan" (Well of Death)—a cylindrical stunt pit where motorcyclists defy gravity—the video showcased Cherukat rapping amid roaring engines, paying homage to everyday risk-takers.
"They call it the Well of Death for a reason... I'm blessed they accepted me into their community," he reflected in an interview with The Hindu. This track not only propelled him to Coachella stages but also highlighted his ethos: celebrating overlooked Indian street culture and small-city heroes through English-language rap, which he insists positions him as "a rapper from India" rather than confined to desi hip-hop. Despite critiques on language barriers, his narrative-driven style has resonated globally, earning spots at Netflix's Tudum event and Colours Show for his 2025 single "Holiday".
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As Hanumankind headlines the OTW Tour for his debut mixtape Monsoon Season—boasting features from Denzel Curry, Roisee, ASAP Rocky, Rudy Mukta, and Maxo Kream—his Bollywood foray arrives at a zeitgeist moment for Indian artists crossing over. The Dhurandhar track, produced amid his whirlwind year, underscores a philosophy of authenticity: "We never would have thought that these kinds of days would happen. And now we're in it," he shared with BBC Asian Network. With viral social media traction and chart dominance, Cherukat's trajectory challenges hip-hop's boundaries, proving that stunts, beats, and heritage can propel a Kerala kid to worldwide acclaim. As Dhurandhar gears up for release, fans anticipate how this "big dawg" will redefine Bollywood's sonic landscape.
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