CHILDHOOD friends Simon Nakra and Juggy Rihal teamed up to form the group MasterClass. The talented duo released their acclaimed debut single Ajj Nachna this year and have big plans for the future. The Midlands-based producers each selected 10 songs they love:
JUGGY RIHAL:
Soniye Je Tere Naal by Kulwinder Kally: Amazing composition. Great melody, great lyrics and sung very well!
Gidha Pao by Mohinder Kaur Bhamra: This family anthem always lights up the dance floor.
Back To Life by Soul II Soul: I’m a 1980s child and grew up listening to these guys.
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan: This also always brings back childhood memories.
Khat Tukdhe Tukdhe by Sardool Sikander: A very meaningful song with great lyrics, melody, composition, music and amazing vocals of Sardool Sikander.
Lokan Nu Naach Vikhaiye by The Sahotas: I was a big fan of The Sahotas back in the day. The music, vibe and tempo of this song gets a big thumbs up.
Akhiyan by Nachhatar Gill: What an amazing song, with fantastically arranged and composed music. It of course also has great vocals.
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You by Michael Jackson: How can anyone not be a fan of this guy and his songs?
Right Here by SWV: This was a track I used to listen to during my sixth form days. It’s a nice laidback listening tune.
Naina De Buhe by Lakhwinder Wadali: An all-round greatly produced track. Vocals, percussion and musical instrumentation have been very cleverly utilised without compensating or overdoing anything.
SIMON NAKRA:
Amplifier by Imran Khan: Possibly my favourite r’n’b Punjabi song. So well-produced, it gets me moving on the dance floor.
Mundian De Bach Ke by PMC: A massive dance floor hit that broke a lot of barriers for Punjabi music. The Busta Rhymes sample along with the dhol and tumbi killed it.
Lak Noo Hala De by Achanak: This song from one of my favourite bands back in the day got me into Punjabi music. I loved the pieces so much that I learnt to play them.
DowainJaaniya by Heera: I remember singing and dancing to this classic song along with my siblings during our youth. It brings back a lot of great memories!
Naram Jehi by Malkit Singh: The king of bhangra for so many years. I loved so many of his songs but this one stood out for me.
Purple Rain by Prince: One of my all time favourite artists. There is such an emotional feeling to this song.
Next Episode by Dr Dre: One of the most influential artists that inspired me to make music. Chronic2001 is one of my favourite albums. This particular tune goes on repeat and gets my head rocking!
A Lovely Day by Bill Withers: A feel-good tune that I listen to for a pick-me up. I smile each time I hear this song!
Do You Remember by Jill Scott: An amazing artist! I loved the whole album. When I need to relax and forget about the world, this song is just perfect.
Times Like These by Foo Fighters: The energy in this song is electric! I play this so loud in my car and bop away like there’s no tomorrow.
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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