iWorld
Universal Music India’s Revibe presents “#BreakoutStar”
Mumbai: Universal Music India proudly announces the launch of “#BreakoutStar,” a brand-new talent hunt to discover India’s next singing sensation. This talent hunt will offer aspiring artists a global stage to shine.
With a rich catalogue spanning chart-toppers, classics, and contemporary hits that resonate across generations, UMG India has always been at the forefront of honing new talent. Now, with a sponsorship from YouTube Shorts UMG India is set to propel the stars of tomorrow into a much-deserved limelight.
Renowned music stars Amit Trivedi and Aastha Gill will headline the panel of judges for “#BreakoutStar,” adding their valuable expertise and insight to the whole initiative. The talent hunt will span over 3 months, promising an exciting journey spanning various stages. The winner of #BreakoutStar will receive a slew of prizes – namely a one-year contract with Universal Music India, a music video opportunity, and a home studio setup!
In a subtle nod to the partnership, Fever FM, the radio partner for “#BreakoutStar,” will showcase the top five contestants on their show Soundbox, amplifying their reach and exposure across their listeners.
Speaking about the initiative, Universal Music India & South Asia EVP & head of content Sanujeet Bhujabal commented, “The Breakout Star property in partnership with Universal Music India and YouTube Shorts is an exciting initiative to find the next singing star using the power of catalog. This initiative is a part of the catalog re-surfacing exercise under the REVIBE brand of Universal Music. UMI has always been about keeping the artists front and centre – and the next big artist can be found anywhere – from the biggest of metros to the smallest of towns. Youtube Shorts, which averages over 70 billion daily views globally, has fast emerged as a key short video tool for artists to express themselves and connect with fans. The collaboration of both these entities is a natural fit, as we leverage off each other in fashioning a narrative that enables budding artistes from absolutely anywhere in the world, to get a well-deserved platform to showcase their talent.”
Additionally, YouTube director, music partnerships (India, South Asia & SEA) Pawan Agarwal expressed excitement, stating, “At YouTube Shorts, we’re committed to empowering emerging artists and creators by offering them a stage to exhibit their unique talent and creativity to audiences across the world. By supporting UMG India with ‘#BreakoutStar’, we not only want to help breakthrough exceptional musical talent but also celebrate creativity in India’s vibrant digital landscape. “
Talking about #BreakoutStar, judge Amit Trivedi shared, “We have talent in every corner of our country. With #BreakoutStar, we aim to discover such unexplored singing talents from the comfort of their own places. There have been numerous talent hunts over the years, but #BreakoutStar stands out uniquely as it offers an opportunity for literally anyone to participate ! Aastha and I are extremely excited to chair the judging panel for this unique show and can’t wait to hear the entries!”
Expressing her excitement, Aastha Gill added, “#BreakoutStar is an incredible platform for artists to shine and showcase their talent as many of them go undiscovered due to the unavailability of resources. #BreakoutStar is one such opportunity for those dreams to come true at their own convenience. We are super thrilled to see what India has in store for us!”
“#BreakoutStar” is poised to redefine the music landscape, ushering in a new era of talent and creativity.
Mark your calendars for this groundbreaking initiative, as India’s brightest stars prepare to take center stage.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
