Media Release, October 3
NEW DELHI

Channel [v], India’s No. 1 Music Channel is all set to take television and talent hunts into the digital age with the launch of - [v] MOBILE SINGER, a first-of-its-kind interactive hunt on the wireless platform. Backed by the success of its innovative concepts like Pepsi [v] TV Champions, [v] On The Run, [v] Get Gorgeous, Channel [v]’s new quest will seek the one voice that will set dance floors ablaze.

Leading the quest is none other than the country’s ‘Godfather of Disco’ - BAPPI LAHIRI. As the undisputed king of the disco era, Bappi Lahiri is recognised as one of the most talented and innovative music directors Bollywood has ever seen. The only music director to have composed over 3,550 songs for over 500 films, Bappi-Da has created award winning, chartbuster music in a variety of languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi and Punjabi. Testament to his genius is the fact that his music is the most re-mixed by big-ticket DJ’s across the country & the world with many of them topping the charts yet again.

Joining Bappi-Da at the launch of [v] Mobile Singer, Amar K Deb, Head Honcho, Channel [v], says, “[v] Mobile Singer is a unique concept and is all set to set fire to the conventional talent hunt formats. The restriction of auditioning limited number of aspirants faced by jury members earlier will be eased. [v] have successfully erased all geographical boundaries… nothing can now deter the truly talented from getting their fair chance!! And to be able to do this with the legend called ‘Bappi Lahiri’… it really can’t get bigger than this.”

Adds Bappi Da, “I’m honored with the responsibility of finding new talent. Channel [v]’s impressive track record of discovering and promoting new talent is one of the key reasons why I agreed to be the jury for [v] Mobile Singer. I am really looking forward to this experience as it will also give me the opportunity to connect with my fans from across the country.”

The hunt for Channel [v]’s Mobile Singer kick starts early October. Budding singers will get the opportunity to practice & participate from the comfort of their homes, their cars, their offices – wherever they are!! All they need to do is to dial 1905-425- 7827 to register and sing any one of their favorite Bappi-Da songs as part of the initial audition phase. From the entire pool of entries received, the best will be shortlisted. Bappi Da will be aided by vocal experts at the local and national level to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot at winning. The finalists will be flown down to Mumbai to spend some quality time with Bappi Da learning the tricks of the trade and honing their skills before the winner is finally declared. Phone lines for participation open on October 7th, 2005.

The winner of [v] Mobile Singer will walk away with an opportunity to not only sing but also star in his/her own ‘disco’ video along with Bappi-Da! That’s not all... The song will also feature on an album that Bappi Da will be releasing across the country in December 2005!

Television audiences can participate in the experience of [v] Mobile Singer through a host of special programming that Channel [v] will unleash in tandem with the campaign. Apart from involving viewers in the [v] Mobile Singer hunt, the channel will also celebrate Bappi Da’s music and his pioneering efforts in Bollywood. He is Channel [v]’s Chosen One artist in October and viewers will also get to see never-before-seen footage of Bappi Da’s concerts from across the world, listen to unreleased music and get to know the Godfather of Disco – upclose and personal!

So pick up your phone and call in with your favorite Bappi Lahiri song, and you could be the voice that the ‘Godfather of Disco’ is looking for!!

For more information, please contact:

Gurprit Kaur (9818443668)/ Sonal Thind (9818205999)
Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
Tel: (011-52393500)
Email: gurprit@vccpl.com, sthind@vccpl.com