A new hunt for India's next independent music sensation begins as Amazon MX Player releases the trailer for I-POPSTAR, a first-of-its-kind weekly music reality series. The show brings together 25 contestants through auditions, with 12 making it to the Gala Rounds, which will then culminate into the Grand Finale. The aspiring musicians from across the country will showcase their original compositions across diverse genres including Pop, Rap, EDM, Rock, and R&B, with performances in regional languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Haryanvi, and Gujarati.
Amazon MX Player has joined hands with Warner Music and Spotify as music partners, setting the tone for a musical experience never seen before.
Watch the I-POPSTAR trailer
Speaking about the show, Amogh Dusad, Director & Head of Content, Amazon MX Player, says, " At Amazon MX Player, we’ve always aimed to bring bold, disruptive formats that resonate with our audiences. I-POPSTAR is a celebration of independent music that captures creativity, originality, and talent from across the nation. It’s high-energy, unpredictable, and emotionally engaging. With our incredible mentors guiding the journey, viewers can expect an unfiltered, thoroughly entertaining experience that is both uniquely Indian and universally relatable."
Produced by Rusk Media, I-POPSTAR represents a significant step in supporting India's growing independent music scene. Mayank Yadav, CEO & Co-founder, Rusk Media says, “At Rusk Media, we’ve always believed in giving young creators the space to showcase their originality. With I-POPSTAR, we’re bringing together India’s diverse music culture and offering a platform that celebrates fresh voices and bold new sounds. This show is about more than competition; it’s about shaping the future of independent music in India.”
Who will judge I-POPSTAR?
The show will feature King, Aastha Gill, Aditya Rikhari, and Parmish Verma as mentors who will guide contestants, evaluate their performances, and push them to explore new creative heights.
As one of India's leading rap artists, King believes the competition offers a unique platform for artists to showcase their authentic voice. Sharing his excitement on mentoring the next generation of Indian musicians, King says, " I-POPSTAR is where raw talent meets opportunity. Every contestant brings something special and being able to mentor them as they push boundaries and explore their creativity, originality and a strong audience connect is incredibly rewarding."
Known for her vibrant performances and cross-genre collaborations, Aastha Gill adds, "What excites me the most about I-POPSTAR is the originality of the music. Every performance feels fresh, full of energy, and packed with new ideas. It’s inspiring to watch them grow and connect with the audience.”
Aditya Rikhari, who has been instrumental in shaping India's independent music scene, highlights how the competition differs from traditional music reality shows. He shares, "I-POPSTAR isn’t just a show, it’s a journey of learning, experimenting, and growing as an artist. Being part of something that champions creativity and gives space to the next generation of independent voices in India means a lot to me. It also brings back memories of my own journey as an artist and how much this path continues to teach me.”
As both an actor and musician, Parmish Verma brings a unique perspective to the judging panel. He believes the show's format, which encourages contestants to develop original material rather than perform covers, is much needed. He says,“I-POPSTAR is about expression, experimentation, and most importantly, pushing limits. The contestants are fearless, and it’s thrilling to watch them evolve week by week. This show gives them the platform to discover and own their true voice.”
How to watch I-POPSTAR?
I-POPSTAR will stream starting 18 October for free on Amazon MX Player, across mobile, Connected TVs, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xtreme.
What’s more on Amazon MX Player?
Amazon MX Player has a strong focus on original content and has launched some of the largest shows in India, which includes Ek Badnaam Aashram, Campus Diaries, Jamnapaar, Half CA, Dehati Ladke, and Who’s your Gynac among others.
Amazon MX Player also offers a rich selection of international content dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu under MX Vdesi, featuring popular shows like What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?, Daydreamer, Gangnam Beauty, My Girlfriend Is An Alien, Put Your Head On My Shoulder, Our Story, and more.
Amazon MX Player is committed to entertaining audiences with over 100 new shows through its compelling content slate spanning multiple genres catering to the taste of viewers across age groups.
