TORONTO: As viewers remain confined indoors battling the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s leading TV channel in Canada, Zee TV and their fastest-growing digital arm, OTT ZEE5, are taking take the initiative to cheer up the South Asian community with a lively, locally driven contest – ZEE5 Canada Bhangra Superstar.
The first-of-its-kind dance competition, the show offers a delightful opportunity for Bhangra enthusiasts to showcase their moves from the comfort of their homes through video auditions on social media.
Bhangra is a folk dance born in the farms of Punjab in celebration of harvest during the Vaisakhi festival. Over the years, it has skipped out of the province into the lives of all South Asians in and out of the country.
The dance form has now evolved over the years into modernized versions, blending tradition with hip-hop, reggae and Bollywood dance.In Canada, home of the largest diaspora of South Asians – the Punjabis, Bhangra plays a dominant role in keeping the community together, preserving the culture across generations.
Zee TV and ZEE5 now kickoff the ZE5 Canada Bhangra Superstar show in an earnest attempt to thank the community for their loyal viewership over the years and sets out for one of the biggest talent hunts from Brampton and Toronto to Vancouver.
To add to the thrill, ZEE Canada has signed two of the biggest and most popular Canadian Bhangra kings – Jaswinder Singh Bains aka Jazzy B and Hardeep Sahota. Internationally acclaimed as the Crowned Prince of Bhangra, Jazzy B who was born in Punjab and raised in Vancouver, modernized Bhangra infusing it with hiphop, creating a sensation across the globe.
He is one of the most prominent mega stars of Punjabi music in the 21st century. Hardeep Sahota is the first certified Bhangra instructor in Canada under the CTDA (Canadian Dance Teachers Association) and founder of Surrey’s Royal Academy of Bhangra. He has participated, judged, coached and produced numerous Bhangra events and festivals all over the world since 2008.
Surrey-based TV presenter and radio celebrity Gaurav Shah brings his wit and humour to the show as the anchor along with the popular Canadian RJ, Gurpreet Grewal.
With this venture, Mukund Cairae, Chief Operating Officer – Zee International Business, wishes to revolutionize not just global television but also promote local talent.
“We are looking to engage local audiences in many more ways in the coming year with multiple such initiatives. We are bringing Canada its very first video Bhangra competition on television and OTT. Given the current social distancing norms, the show will be shot entirely from the participants’ homes.”
Participation involves two simple steps:
• Contestants must upload their audition videos on their Facebook or Instagram page using the hashtag #ZEE5BalleBalle, and tag @ZEE5CAC.
• The video then needs to be uploaded on www.zee5bhangrasuperstar.com, registering entry. The winner takes home a Ford Mustang, cash prize of $5000 CAD and a chance to feature in a Zee show. Several sponsors have partnered with Zee. The Title Sponsor is Telus. The Presenting Sponsor is Toronto Area Ford Dealers Association, while CoPresenting sponsors are CIBC Global Money Transfer & Forty Creek Whiskey. Submissions are well on way. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Bhangra Superstar in Canada, send your video and register at the earliest.