Yuvan Shankar Raja to Mentor Chennai’s Next Indie Music Stars in New Reality Show I-POPSTAR Tamil on Alright! TV
Shakthisree Gopalan, Asal Kolaar and Anthony Daasan join the mentor panel as Rusk Media’s OTT platform Alright! TV launches a music reality show dedicated to original Tamil music
Chennai, India, 21 July 2026: Tamil independent music is stepping into the spotlight. From bedroom producers and singer-songwriters to rappers and live performers, a new generation of artists is changing the sound of Tamil music. Now, they have a stage of their own.
Launching on 23rd July, I-POPSTAR Tamil is a brand-new music reality series that celebrates original Tamil music and the artists creating it. Streaming every Thursday and Friday on Alright! TV and every Thursday and Saturday on the Media Masons YouTube channel, the series is designed to discover fresh talent from across Tamil Nadu while giving audiences a front row seat to the state’s thriving indie music movement.
Leading the show is celebrated composer and music icon Yuvan Shankar Raja, as the Super Mentor. He is joined by acclaimed artists Shakthisree Gopalan, Asal Kolaar and Anthony Daasan, each mentoring a team of contestants throughout the competition. Television personality Mohamed Kuraishi and singer Sam Vishal will host the series, while Sathya Prakash serves as Music Director.
Unlike traditional singing competitions focused on playback music, I-POPSTAR Tamil is built around originality. Following auditions, twelve contestants will be selected and divided into three teams of four. Across fourteen episodes, they will take on a series of creative challenges that test their performance, originality and personality before one artist is crowned the season’s winner.
Shantanu Singh, Chief Operations Officer & Co-Founder, Rusk Media said, “Tamil audiences have been waiting for a platform that celebrates original music and the incredible artists creating it outside of cinema. I-POPSTAR Tamil is our answer to that. We wanted to build a show where creativity comes first, where artists can stay true to their sound, and where audiences can discover the next wave of Tamil music. We hope this becomes a launchpad for many exciting careers.”
Super Mentor Yuvan Shankar Raja, commented, “Some of the most exciting music today is coming from independent artists who are willing to experiment and tell their stories in their own way. I-POPSTAR Tamil is an opportunity to discover fresh talent and encourage them to stay true to their individuality.”
Host Mohamed Kuraishi said, “Hosting I-POPSTAR Tamil feels personal. I’ve watched Chennai’s indie scene grow from intimate gigs to packed venues, and this show finally gives those artists a platform that reaches audiences everywhere. I’m excited to see new voices emerge.”
Host Sam Vishal added, “Tamil indie music has incredible talent that’s simply waiting to be discovered. I-POPSTAR Tamil gives these artists the stage they deserve. Every contestant has a unique story, and I can’t wait for audiences to connect with them.”
I-POPSTAR Tamil is presented by AI+ Nova Smartphone, co-powered by Farmley Makha Shaka, Godrej Appliances and Denver Perfumes, with Godrej Appliances as Quality Partner and Denver Perfumes as Fragrance Partner.
The series premieres 23rd July, streaming every Thursday and Friday on Alright TV! And every Thursday and Saturday on the Media Masons YouTube channel.
Watch the Trailer: https://youtu.be/9X1QABIJlOI?si=Cg-DEIW4Ikiws8Ya
About Rusk Media
Rusk Media is a full-stack digital entertainment company specialising in creating, distributing and monetising original entertainment IP. Founded in 2019, the company develops premium, mobile-first content for Gen Z and millennial audiences across leading OTT platforms including Amazon MX Player, JioHotstar and its own platform, Alright! TV, spanning fiction, reality, animation, vertical dramas and live entertainment formats.