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News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Gajendra Verma On 15 Years Of Pop Stardom And The Legacy Of ‘Mann Mera': 'I Must Thank The Pioneers'
Pop icon Gajendra Verma celebrates 15 years in music, reflects on the timeless success of Mann Mera, and shares why honesty and simplicity continue to shape his creative journey. It has been 15 years since Gajendra Verma quietly made his entry into India's music scene—and in that time, he's become one of the most recognizable voices of new-age Indian pop. Best known for his evergreen hit 'Mann Mera," the singer-songwriter continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans with music that blends simplicity, sincerity, and soul. 'I think it's fair to say I'm considered one of India's pop stars," Gajendra said, reflecting on his journey. 'But I must thank the pioneers who came before me." His humility shines through as he pays tribute to the icons of the 1990s who paved the way for the rise of independent music in India—a legacy he has proudly carried forward. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spotify India (@spotifyindia) While Gajendra has had several chartbusters over the years, Mann Mera remains a defining moment in his career. Released over 13 years ago, the song has become a staple in romantic playlists and continues to resonate across generations. 'First of all, big thanks to everyone who is still listening to that song," he shared. 'It gives me immense pleasure and motivation to make more music. While I am proud of the song, a lot of credit goes to the beautiful lyrics written by Aseem Ahmed—he truly deserves much of the praise." Interestingly, Mann Mera wasn't originally tied to a film. It was an independent release in collaboration with Eros Music that gained popularity for its pure, heartfelt sound. The track caught the attention of filmmaker Aditya Datt, who asked Gajendra to compose a romantic version for his 2013 film Table No. 21. 'Once it was released with the movie, it went viral and the rest is history," Gajendra recalled. The artist has since adapted to an ever-changing music landscape shaped by social media algorithms, viral trends, and streaming platforms. 'It's become more challenging to be an artist in today's times," he admitted. 'The only change I've made is to be more sincere and stress-free in my work." For Gajendra, authenticity is everything. 'I've lived the kind of life most people in this country do," he said. 'When I create something honest and true to my experience, it connects with people. As long as the music is genuine, it will find its way to the hearts of listeners." From his independent beginnings to becoming a household name, Gajendra Verma's story is a reminder that heartfelt storytelling still holds power in a fast-moving digital age. With a career built on emotion, relatability, and unwavering sincerity, the pop sensation continues to evolve—while staying deeply connected to his roots. First Published: July 20, 2025, 19:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'He shouldn't come home': Badshah recalls being ignored by relatives before fame changed everything
Popular rapper and singer , known for chart-topping hits like Garmi and Kar Gayi Chull, recently opened up about a difficult phase in his life when his relatives didn't believe in his dreams. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a heartfelt conversation with Spotify India, the artist revealed that many family members once considered him a bad influence. 'Every relative said, 'Keep him away from our children… he should not come to our house,'' Badshah recalled. The remarks stemmed from misunderstanding his artistic pursuits, and for years, he was judged not for who he was but for how different he appeared. Parents Who Never Gave Up on Him Despite the criticism, Badshah's parents never gave up on him. His mother shared how even she didn't fully understand his passion at first and when he told her in Class 9 that he wanted to become a DJ, it sounded alien to her. 'Actually, they all thought that he was just wasting his time. They didn't understand that he runs around for his music,' she admitted. His father had different plans for his career but acknowledged the joy in seeing his son's success. 'These things can't be expressed. It's beyond words,' he said. Success That Speaks Louder Than Doubt Badshah shared a moment when he asked his parents if they finally understood what he does for a living. They laughed and admitted they still don't fully get it—but now they feel pride instead of confusion. With his Unfinished Tour heading to the US in September 2025 and performances lined up across cities like Virginia, New Jersey, and Chicago, Badshah has come a long way from being the boy no one wanted around. Badshah apologises after facing backlash over 'objectionable' lyrics of his song 'Sanak'
News18
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Badshah Recalls Being Called A Bad Influence By Relatives: ‘He Should Not Come…'
Badshah claims that relatives told his parents to keep him away from their children and even asked them not to let him visit their homes. Badshah is one of the most popular rappers and singers in India today, known for making songs that many people connect with. Despite his success, he hasn't forgotten the hard times he faced. Recently, he shared a story about how some relatives spoke badly about him to his parents. The Garmi singer said that these relatives told his parents to keep him away from their children and even asked them not to let him visit their homes. Despite these harsh words, his parents stood by him and gave him the support he needed. A fan edit of Badshah and his parents' recent interview with Spotify India has been spreading online, where the artist revealed, 'All relatives have spoken only ill about me to them. Every relative said, 'Keep him away from our children.' They would tell my parents, 'He should not come to our house'." His mother said, 'Actually, they all thought that he just wastes his time. They didn't understand that he runs around for his music. Now, when people approach us, our hearts swell with pride. We forbade him and he still did it. And he's doing his best." His father added, 'Look, these things can't be expressed. It's beyond words. We are happy." In the same chat, Badshah's mother shared a memory from his school days. She said he was in Class 9 when he told her that he wanted to become a DJ. She didn't really understand what he meant at that time, as he was still so young. One day, some family members were visiting and she asked him to show them what he was doing. He played something for them, but no one really understood it. Still, Badshah was confident. He told his mother that it will definitely work and not understanding was actually a good sign. His father, on the other hand, wasn't happy with this path. He had different plans for Badshah and had already told him what kind of career he wanted him to follow. However, the singer added that when he first told his parents he wanted to rap, they didn't really understand what it meant. It was very new and confusing for them. He felt that when people stop you from doing something and you still want to do it, that's a clear sign it's your true passion. Later, he even asked his parents if they now understand what he does for a living. They honestly said they still didn't know much about it, which made him laugh. Badshah will be heading to the US for his Unfinished Tour in September 2025. He'll be performing in several major cities, including Virginia, New Jersey, Bay Area, Seattle, Dallas and Chicago. First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:17 IST
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Spotify showcases how a country is deeply connected to music in its new ad
HighlightsSpotify has launched a new advertising campaign in four languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, emphasizing the transformative power of music during daily commutes. The campaign features four advertisements that depict popular modes of transport in India, including bus, autorickshaw, metro, and car, highlighting how everyday sounds can inspire music in listeners. Neha Ahuja, the Director and Head of Marketing for Spotify India, stated that the campaign aims to showcase how Spotify can turn routine travel into meaningful and emotionally engaging listening experiences. Spotify has launched a new campaign in four languages — Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. Reinforcing the sentiment that music can transform a daily commute into an enjoyable experience, the new advertisements ask, 'Toh aaj raaste mein kya suna?'. The campaign shows how, in a country deeply connected to music, a honk, a ringtone, or even a passing conversation can spark a song in listeners' minds. Over four advertisements, the campaign showcases some of the most popular modes of transport in India, including bus, autorickshaw, metro, and car. Neha Ahuja, director and head of Marketing, Spotify India , said, 'With our latest campaign, we're showcasing how Spotify transforms routine commutes into joyful escapes—turning travel time into meaningful listening moments that move people emotionally and mentally.' Watch the videos here:
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Spotify India, OTT platforms pull Pakistani music after Indian government ban
The directive's impact is not limited to audio content. Pakistani actors are now being digitally erased from promotional material on Indian platforms. PHOTO: PEXELS Listen to article Pakistani music has started vanishing from Indian streaming platforms, with Spotify among the first to act on a government advisory issued earlier this month. Tracks such as Maand, Jhol, and Faasle disappeared from Spotify India in the hours following the order, according to NDTV. The move, which began taking effect on Wednesday night, follows an official directive from India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 8 May, calling for the removal of all Pakistani content from digital media. The advisory, issued under India's Information Technology Rules, urged all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and online intermediaries to take down Pakistani-origin web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other media. The ministry cited national security, sovereignty, and public order as grounds for the sweeping content ban. The crackdown comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad has rejected the allegation, calling for an impartial investigation. Although both sides have since agreed to a ceasefire, the ban remains in place. The directive's impact is not limited to audio content. Pakistani actors are now being digitally erased from promotional material on Indian platforms. Actress Mawra Hocane has been removed from the cover art of Sanam Teri Kasam on Spotify and YouTube Music, leaving only her Indian co-star Harshvardhan Rane. Similarly, Mahira Khan has disappeared from Raees' posters, while the song Buddhu Sa Mann from Kapoor & Sons, which featured Fawad Khan, is now inaccessible to Indian users. This marks one of the most far-reaching cultural crackdowns in the region's recent history. While political tensions have often strained artistic ties between the neighbours, the shared musical heritage—spanning genres like ghazals, qawwalis, and contemporary pop—had until now largely remained intact. Pakistani icons such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Nazia Hassan, and Atif Aslam have historically enjoyed immense popularity across India, their work forming a vital part of the country's musical landscape. Ironically, critics point out that even as Pakistani originals are scrubbed from platforms, Bollywood continues to churn out remakes of many of these very songs—raising questions about cultural ownership and censorship in an era of digital media.
