In the early 1990s, Shastri was mainly seen singing track songs for major playback singers like
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and others. The film
Ajagajantara (1991) composed by
Hamsalekha offered him a chance to share the mic with Balasubrahmanyam for the song "Love Love Loveah". Following this, Shastri teamed up with composer
V. Manohar and sang many songs for the films that featured actor
Jaggesh in the lead. The songs "Anthintha Gandu Naanalla" from
Bhanda Nanna Ganda (1992), "Priya Priya" from
Super Nanna Maga (1992), "Dagar Dagar" from
Tharle Nan Maga (1992), "Avanalli Ivalilli" from
Shhh (1993) were some of his early hits which appealed to the masses. In the meantime, Shastri was working as an assistant composer to both Hamsalekha and V. Manohar for all their films. In 1996, the folk song "Kolumande Jangamadevaru" composed by V. Manohar and picturized on actor
Shiva Rajkumar for the film
Janumada Jodi turned his fortunes. The song became an ultimate hit and his rendition was widely acclaimed by critics and masses. He was awarded the Karnataka State Award for this song. Following this, he recorded many songs for all the music directors of the 1990s through 2000s. Many of his songs have been received extremely well by the masses. In 1998, Shastri turned into a complete music director with the film
Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene. Though the songs were received well, the film's dismal performance at the box-office could not help boost the songs. His next composition for the
V. Ravichandran starrer
Ravimama (1999) was also appreciated. Following this, he composed for about 25 feature films which could not help him to be among the top ranking music directors. His rechristened name Chaitanya was familiar only inside the film fraternity and the audience could not relate his new name with his original name. On insistence of actor Dr.
Vishnuvardhan, his original name was credited with his compositions for the film
Bellary Naga (2009) which proved to be the last feature film of the legendary actor. After a brief hiatus, Shastri returned to composing for the films
Flop (2015) and
Melody (2015) which marked his reunion with director Nanjunda who gave him the first break as a composer. ==Discography==