iWorld
Karma drops truth bombs in ‘Zi Freestyle’ as 64 Bars returns for season 3
MUMBAI: Bar none, hip-hop just got real. Def Jam Recordings India and Red bull have teamed up once again to unleash season 3 of Red Bull 64 Bars, the platform that strips rap back to its purest form, 64 lines, no hooks, no fluff, just raw lyricism and storytelling.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1NZfcJlmwxaOt9z9tTIePU?si=od7C1BNBQhe6eZk9uu0YDg
The season opens with a bang as rapper Karma joins forces with producer Stunnah Beatz on “Zi Freestyle” a track that sways from smooth, jazz-soaked textures into a hard-hitting beat, mirroring Karma’s verses that blend vulnerability with bravado.
“Working on Zi Freestyle was an incredible experience,” Karma said. “The format pushes you to focus on the essence of the craft, pure bars and storytelling. Stunnah’s production was the perfect canvas to lay down my truth.”
Launched globally, Red Bull 64 Bars challenges both rising and established MCs to showcase skill over spectacle. It’s about words, rhythm and authenticity, not chart hooks. Last year’s standout, Vazan by Sambata, became a fan favourite, and season 3 promises to push the envelope further.
Industry leaders say the format is fuelling India’s hip-hop movement. “Red Bull 64 Bars is one of the most exciting platforms for hip-hop in India,” said UMG India & south Asia, new business & brand partnerships, svp & business head, Preeti Nayyar. “With Def Jam as the perfect home, this collaboration reflects our commitment to championing new voices and celebrating India’s music culture.”
Adding to that, UMG, head of independent artist collective, Sumedhas Rajgopal, noted: “The format gives artists the freedom to express themselves in the most authentic way. With season 3, we’re bringing fresh performances from rappers and producers who’ll keep pushing boundaries.”
Zi Freestyle by Karma and Stunnah Beatz is now streaming on all major platforms, setting the tone for a season that proves when it comes to hip-hop, it’s all about the bars.
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.
