iWorld
Universal Music Canada signs Punjabi music producer Dilmanjot Singh
Mumbai: Punjabi music producer thiarajxtt, also known as Dilmanjot Singh Thiara, has released his debut EP If the Sun Had a Dark Side. Universal Music Canada (UMC) has announced his signing and the release of his first new music of 2024.
“thiarajxtt is driving the modern sound of culture today,” said Universal Music Canada chairman & CEO Jeffrey Remedios. “We’re honoured to work alongside Dilman as together we take South Asian music made in Canada to new global heights.”
The five-track EP is thiarajxtt’s first release as a primary artist since 2023’s Heartfelt EP. It follows his prolific work last year, including production across most of Diljit Dosanjh’s Ghost album (featuring the hit ‘Kinni Kinni’), Jassa Dhillon’s ‘SPAIN,’ and collaborations with Shubh, Channi Nattan, Jerry, and others.
“I want to break boundaries and bring new and legendary artists together on one project. This is the first step,” said thiarajxtt about this release.
“Partnering with Universal Music Canada is more than just a milestone—it’s about pushing the limits of what can be achieved when bold ideas and a clear vision come together. UMC has trusted my vision, and together, we’re ready to break barriers and create cultural bridges. This is just the first step in a journey that will redefine what’s possible in music. Everything today may fade by tomorrow, but good music—that’s timeless, and that’s what we’re here to create,” he added.
If the Sun Had a Dark Side features vocals from thiarajxtt’s twin brother Irman and Indrr Bajwa over hip-hop, R&B, and pop tracks produced by thiarajxtt. The EP’s opener, ‘Colt Buntlines,’ is a romantic-gangster track where Bajwa reassures his partner. ‘Route 66’ and ‘Kasoor’ continue similar themes, while ‘What They Doin’ asserts the dominance of thiarajxtt, Irman, and Bajwa in their field.
Born in Harkhowal, Punjab, thiarajxtt moved to Toronto in 2019 and gained recognition through collaborations with Shubh, including hits like ‘We Rollin’ and ‘No Love’. In 2023, he produced most of Diljit Dosanjh’s multi-platinum album Ghost. Now, thiarajxtt aims to empower producers in Punjabi music, similar to how Metro Boomin and DJ Khaled lead their projects.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
