iWorld
Zee Music Company signs Adnan Sami, QARAN to expand original music push
The label deepens its bet on artist-led music with a non-film deal with Adnan Sami and a new partnership with pop producer QARAN
MUMBAI: Zee Music Company is widening its push into original, artist-led music, signing composer-singer-pianist Adnan Sami for exclusive non-film releases while onboarding contemporary pop producer QARAN to its growing roster.
Launched in 2014, the label has built one of India’s largest music catalogues spanning Bollywood soundtracks and independent music. The latest signings mark a sharper tilt towards non-film originals as the company seeks to expand its presence in the rapidly evolving pop landscape.
Padma Shri awardee Adnan Sami joins the label for a new slate of non-film singles, opening a fresh creative chapter in a career that has shaped Indian pop for more than three decades. The singer-composer is behind defining hits such as Lift Karade, Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Tera Chehra and Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein. Among his global milestones, Sami became the first Asian artist to sell out London’s Wembley Arena for two consecutive nights, a breakthrough moment for South Asian musicians on the international stage.
Under the deal with Zee Music Company, Sami will release a series of original singles, returning to the melodic sound that once dominated India’s pop charts.
Alongside him, the label has also signed QARAN, one of the architects of India’s modern urban pop sound. Known for blending Indian melodies with global production styles, the producer has delivered hits such as Haaye Oye and the breakout crossover Tareefan, widely seen as a defining pop track of the past decade.
Sujal Parekh, chief business officer at Zee Music Company, said the label is entering “a defining phase”. “We’re expanding our vision beyond film soundtracks to build a dynamic platform for artist-led music. Welcoming Adnan Sami is a proud moment given his extraordinary legacy across generations. Our collaboration with QARAN reflects our commitment to nurturing the next wave of Indian artists and taking Indian music to audiences worldwide.”
Adnan Sami said the partnership marks a new creative direction. “Music has always been about evolution and connection for me. I’m delighted to begin this new musical chapter with Zee Music Company. The partnership gives me the freedom to explore new genres while staying true to melody. I’m excited by the support for my artistic vision and we’re already working on fresh music. See you on the wild side.”
QARAN said the moment was ripe for Indian pop to travel globally. “Indian pop music is entering a new era where it can move across borders while staying rooted in its sound. With Zee Music Company’s scale and vision, I’m excited to push that sound forward and build bridges between Indian music and the rest of the world. New music coming soon.”
Adnan Sami is co-managed by Exceed Entertainment and Big Bad Wolf, while QARAN is exclusively represented by Big Bad Wolf.
With new releases from both artists already in development, Zee Music Company is turning up the volume on independent music—and signalling that the next big hits may arrive far beyond the film soundtrack.
iWorld
MS Dhoni invests in Kuku, joins Kuku TV as brand ambassador
Cricket icon backs AI storytelling platform, fronts Kuku TV campaign
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni has invested in Kuku and joined its short-form drama app Kuku TV as brand ambassador, signalling a high-profile bet on India’s fast-growing AI-led content space.
Kuku, a mobile-first storytelling platform, operates across formats with apps such as Kuku TV for micro-dramas, Kuku FM for audio content and Guru for learning-led entertainment. Founded in 2018, the company has scaled rapidly, crossing 350 million installs and building a catalogue of over 20,000 titles across multiple Indian languages.
Dhoni said his decision to invest and partner with the platform was driven by its distinct approach to storytelling and its strong growth trajectory. MS Dhoni said, “I chose to invest in Kuku, and also come on board as the ambassador for Kuku TV, because the platform really stood out to me. It has built a differentiated entertainment experience for audiences across India, spanning multiple languages and formats. The growth has been impressive, and I connect strongly with the founders, who come from small towns like mine and have built something of this scale. I believe in their vision of building an AI-driven storytelling platform from Bharat, for Bharat, and for the world.”
Founded by Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar Meena and Vikas Goyal, the platform positions itself at the intersection of technology and storytelling, using AI to create and distribute bite-sized content tailored to mobile audiences.
Sharing his perspective, Kuku co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu said, “MS Dhoni is known for backing bold decisions that others might hesitate to take. At Kuku, we are also taking bold bets. That spirit of unconventional thinking resonates deeply with us.”
Adding to this, Kuku co-founder and COO Vinod Kumar Meena said, “Our beloved Thala is one of the rare personalities with truly nationwide appeal. As we build Kuku for all of India, that connection makes him a natural fit for us.”
Further, Kuku co-founder and CTO Vikas Goyal said, “MSD has a unique understanding of people. As we build for both creators and consumers, that perspective will be incredibly valuable, especially as we continue strengthening our AI-driven storytelling stack.”
Backing the momentum, Panthera Peak Capital managing director Nikhil Bhandarkar said, “Kuku’s vision, execution, and clarity of thought are exceptional, qualities that closely mirror MS Dhoni’s approach. We are excited to partner with the team as they build Kuku into a global entertainment platform.”
To mark the association, Kuku TV has rolled out the campaign Dhoni Watches Kuku TV, anchored by a brand film that plays on Dhoni’s instinctive decision-making. Built around short, engaging stories delivered in minutes, the campaign highlights the platform’s promise of quick, compelling entertainment.
With Dhoni stepping in as both investor and face of the brand, Kuku appears to be doubling down on its ambition to take AI-driven storytelling from India to a global audience, one short story at a time.
