BROUGHT up in Denmark, Bobby B has been connected to music and his Indian roots from
a young age.
The talented music producer has worked with diverse artists from Scandinavia, UK and
India on TV work and club anthems, among others, which show off his impressive range.
Eastern Eye got the rising star to select 10 songs he loves.
Earth Song by Michael Jackson: This remarkable song really touched me as a youngster.
The song and music video clearly sent a message telling us how the world is being poisoned by us humans. The amazing chorus had a scream, which said a thousand words. Hypnotize by Notorious B.I.G.: I was always a Biggie fan and loved the flow of his voice. Biggie’s rap and music just makes this one of my favourite hip hop tracks ever. It’s a track that sounds better the louder you play it.
Das Ja by DJ Sanj Ft. Lembher Hussainpuri: The first time I heard Das Ja was years ago at my cousin’s wedding in London. It was played non-stop everywhere the week I was there and evoked a special feeling.
Dhol Jageero Da by Panjabi MC: This is an all-time hit I put on at bhangra parties. It’s a
great kick-starter to a party and never grows old. I loved the rawness of the music and
voice, and, of course, it is Panjabi MC. Whatever he does is just true bliss to your ears.
Dance With You by The Rishi Rich Project: I really loved this and remember it was one of the first tracks that actually got played a lot in Danish clubs when bhangra got really hot in the mainstream. The track shows the best of urban Desi music. Rishi Rich is just legend.
Hard Knock Life by Jay Z: I always liked Jay-Z and especially this song because of the beat and bass-line! I also like the story of the song with Jay-Z rapping about his struggle from nothing to being everything and more. The chorus, with kids singing, is amazing.
Maria Maria by Santana: I think everyone who listens to this song just falls in love with
the Spanish inspired atmosphere, beat and guitar. Also another banger of the 1990s!
X (Bhangra Remix) by Nicky Jam, J Balvin, Sukvir Sukha, Priya Nandy: I like J Balvin’s music. I like it so much that I produced a bhangra remix of X, featuring the vocals of Sukvir Sukha (Denmark) and Priya Nandy (Sweden). I fused the lyrics of the song Meri
Mehbooba from the Bollywood film Pardes and made the beat bhangrafied for clubs.
Check it out on YouTube.
Clubshaker by Bobby B: This will always be special to me, as it was the song I debuted
with. I was proud to see it featured on Zee Music and other music channels in India.
The song features the vocalist Sukvir Sukha and we shot the video on a cold weekend in
Copenhagen. Good memories!
Lenghe Wali by Bobby B: This song featuring the vocals of Amrik Babbal was released in
2017 and was a milestone for me to reach as an urban Asian artist.
A mix of electro and Punjabi, this song is pretty much a fusion of two worlds. Kinda like me.
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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