MUMBAI: In an endeavour to expand its footprint in India, world’s largest video streaming platform, YouTube had announced its plans to launch original content in September 2018.  One of its part is ARRived, a music talent hunt, spearheaded by A R Rahman. The series went on air on 8 November and A R Rahman has turned, both, a host and judge for the same.

In the first episode, A R Rahman, Vidya Vox, and Clinton Cerejo were seen judging hundreds of contestants, among which only 30 were selected for the next round. In the next episodes, these 30 will compete with each other and the winner will get a smashing prize. This fresh talent will get a lifetime opportunity to sing for Shahrukh Khan’s next movie Zero. For a new singer to get such an unique opportunity could actually change his/her life forever.

In the previous week, an anthem for ARRived was released, which is composed by Clinton Cerejo and written by Siddhant Kaushal. Ace singer Shaan is also expected to join the judging panel.

While Indian television is replete with music reality shows, the online platform is still opening up for such content. Amazon Prime and Zee5 have been two other players to have had music reality shows online in the form of their respective shows, The Remix and Lockdown respectively. ARRived is the first show by YouTube in their original content section. While, original content is available for premium subscribers in the rest of the world, in India, it begins with the normal ad-driven format.

More episodes will be released on Rahman’s YouTube channel in the next few days.