After the overwhelming success of Coke Studio globally, Coca-Cola announces the launch of ‘Coke Studio Bharat’ in Mumbai today. The season is an amalgamation of over 50 artists from across the country who have come together to create over 10 memorable tracks celebrating the roots of Bharat.
The Indian music industry is undergoing a revolution, and Gen Z is driving the change. Today, the youth seek authenticity, greater freedom of expression and openness to immerse themselves into different music forms that are unique, diverse, yet meaningful. In this season of Coke Studio, emerging artists from India’s hinterlands and seasoned artists have come together, to lend their own unique voice to the tracks.
Coke Studio Bharat: ‘Apna Sunao’ is humbled to be a conduit to give these talented artists’ unique voices a stage to tell the story of Bharat that is rooted in culture yet embraces the new music of today. The platform will host music that pays homage to the various parts of India that artists call home, connecting with stories that are rich in history, with diverse languages, and using varied musical instruments creating magical melodies set to enthral.
Today, Indian artists are telling their stories proudly, in voices that are not only authentic and truly regional but also loved by fans worldwide. ‘Apna Sunao’ celebrates exactly this spirit of new India and is built on this original and independent freedom of expression.
Arnab Roy, Vice President, Marketing Coca-Cola India, and Southwest Asia said “Coke Studio, a globally acclaimed platform, has always aimed to celebrate authentic regional music. Musical traditions from multiple regions in India are at an inflexion point not only in India but even globally. Coke Studio Bharat connects the truly distinct cultural dots of various regions in the country with artists whose music is defined by their roots. They are the real stars of the season, giving regional music a bigger impetus.”
Piyush Pandey, Chairman of Global Creative and Executive Chairman, Ogilvy India congratulated the Coke Studio Bharat team and said, “Coke Studio Bharat is a fantastic endeavour in making the rich Indian musical and cultural diversity, more seamless and beautiful. It reminds me of the magic of "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" in the late 80's, where I was privileged to be a part of the creative team. The magic of multiple languages and change of instrumentation, singing and people created an iconic piece. Today it's an opportunity to move the classical to the 'massical' level, where the masses around the world can enjoy the magic of Indian music. It is music from the 'heart of India, from every part of India'. Bravo, Coca-Cola India.”
This season of Coke Studio is curated by the acclaimed, award-winning musician and sought-after songwriter, Ankur Tewari. Breathing magic into ‘Apna Sunao’, Ankur has onboarded a thinktank comprising critically acclaimed poet, lyricist and scriptwriter Kausar Munir along with award-winning sound engineer and music producer KJ Singh. Together they have handpicked regional gems to give their sound a new voice.
The current season features celebrated artists and musicians like Amira Gill, Achint, Aditya Gadhvi, Arijit Datta, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Ashima Mahajan, Armaan Malik, Bombay Brass, Burrah, Charan Raj, Deveshi Sahgal, Dhruv Vishwanath, Diljit Dosanjh, Donn Bhatt, Hashbass, Jasleen Royal, Kanwar Grewal, Mahan Sehgal, Mansa Pandey, Maithili Thakur & Brothers, Mohammad Muneem, Noor Mohammad, OAFF & Savera, Osho Jain, Prabhdeep, Rashmeet Kaur, Seedhe Maut, Sakur Khan & Sons, Sanjith Hegde, Shillong Chamber Choir, Tajdar Junaid, and many others in a canvas of diversity, that showcases authentic and unique sounds that will unite fans from across the country. The season will also put the spotlight on regional Indian instruments like Algozha, Chimta, Duff, Sarod, Sarangi, Tumbi, and Rabaab.
Coca-Cola has partnered with Universal Music India (UMI) as executive producers for the launch season of Coke Studio Bharat. Speaking on the association, Devraj Sanyal, MD and CEO, Universal Music India, India & South Asia shares, “To be a significant part of the Coke Studio phenomenon is a true honour for any music company, but to be involved in it from start to finish including spreading our brand of “Bharat “ music to not just our country but to the worldwide streamscape is something that makes me very proud. The trifecta of team Coca-Cola, Ankur Tewari and my team came together with our creators in a way I’ve rarely witnessed, making way for some of the finest folk & fusion music in a new age Bharat sonic that I have ever heard. Today more than ever before, music knows no language or genre. It is crossing borders boldly the world over and it’s our shared dream that we are able to deliver that in the first season of Coke Studio Bharat.”
Listeners can tune into Coke Studio Bharat across all audio OTT platforms including Spotify, Gaana, Saavn, Wynk Music, and Audible worldwide, with distribution managed by UMI. Weaving life into Ankur Tewari’s vision for “Apna Sunao”, UMI has roped in Misfits Inc. for audio production and Colosceum Media for video production. The first song of the season will be released on February 7th, 2023. Come join in the celebration by scanning the QR code on a Coca-Cola pack to directly reach the dedicated Coke Studio Hub that contains exclusive content that the artists have created, along with behind-the-scenes visuals. Scanning the pack also allows the audience to view the 360-degree view of selected songs, thus virtually transporting the audience inside the sets of Coke Studio through their mobile phones. Coke Studio invites consumers to share their own renditions of their favourite Coke Studio Bharat songs to be amplified across the nation.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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