Indian pop music is witnessing a renaissance. Long overshadowed by the cinematic grandeur of Bollywood soundtracks, pop artists are carving their space in the cultural conversation, shaping a sound that is contemporary, global, yet deeply rooted in local stories and identity. At the heart of this movement stands Badshah the rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer whose meteoric rise mirrors the journey of Indian pop itself. Spotify’s new short film, Getting Closer to Badshah, under its I-Pop Icons series, peels back the public persona to offer an intimate, reflective portrait of the artist and the man behind the hits.
A Journey Home
Getting Closer to Badshah begins in Chandigarh, the city that shaped Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, known to the world as Badshah. Through evocative visuals of familiar streets, family homes, and candid moments, the film takes viewers back to his roots. We hear not just from Badshah himself, but from the people who’ve been part of his journey: his parents, fellow artists like Raftaar and King, celebrated composer Pritam, and filmmaker Karan Johar.
This narrative structure isn’t merely nostalgic; it underlines how Badshah’s story is inseparable from his surroundings. Chandigarh’s vibrant culture, the blend of tradition and aspiration, and the everyday hustle of its youth formed the backdrop against which Badshah’s creative spark ignited. His parents’ interviews add touching detail recalling a young boy obsessed with words, rhythm, and an unwavering dream to make music.
More Than a Performer: The Making of an Icon
While audiences often see Badshah as the flamboyant performer of blockbuster tracks like “DJ Waley Babu,” “Mercy,” and “Paagal,” the documentary draws attention to his lesser-known roles: as a songwriter, composer, and producer. His creative evolution, from penning rap verses in college to producing genre-bending pop hits, reveals the depth of artistry often overshadowed by his celebrity.
Peers like Raftaar and King offer candid commentary on Badshah’s discipline and perfectionism. Composer Pritam, whose own career has straddled Bollywood and independent music, praises Badshah’s unique ability to blend Indian sensibilities with global sounds. For filmmaker Karan Johar, Badshah is not just a chart-topping artist, but a cultural force whose music transcends language barriers.
Through these conversations, the film emphasizes that Badshah’s success isn’t an accident. It is the product of relentless experimentation, business acumen, and an instinctive understanding of what moves audiences whether in a club in Delhi or a streaming playlist in Paris.
Beyond the Charts: Vulnerability and Reflection
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Getting Closer to Badshah is the artist’s willingness to share moments of doubt and vulnerability. Badshah speaks candidly about the pressure of expectations, creative burnout, and the fear that comes with every new release: “Will people still love my music?” This honesty humanizes the superstar and offers aspiring artists a rare, unfiltered look at the emotional cost of fame.
His reflections on the evolution of Indian pop are equally compelling. Badshah acknowledges the dominance of Bollywood but insists that today, thanks to streaming platforms and changing audience tastes, independent music is finally getting its due. This observation aligns perfectly with Spotify’s broader I-Pop mission.
The I-Pop Movement: Redefining Indian Pop Music
Launched at the All About Music conference in August last year, Spotify’s I-Pop initiative aims to elevate Indian pop music to the same cultural pedestal as film soundtracks. The campaign’s vision extends beyond India’s borders, seeking to build a global audience for homegrown pop artists.
The initiative’s flagship I-Pop Icons series showcases India’s most influential pop stars, starting with Getting Closer to Darshan Raval in November 2024 and now Getting Closer to Badshah. These films provide fans with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the creative journeys of their favorite artists.
Complementing the documentaries, Spotify has built a robust I-Pop hub, featuring carefully curated playlists like I-Pop Party, I-Pop Mohabbat, I-Pop Superhits, I-Pop Chill, I-Pop Sad Feels, and the recently launched I-Pop Rising. Each playlist caters to different moods and moments, reflecting the diversity of contemporary Indian pop.
What’s even more telling is the data: four out of seven songs that reached No.1 on Spotify India in 2025 have been pop tracks a testament to shifting listener habits. Indian audiences are increasingly seeking music that isn’t bound to film narratives but instead speaks to universal themes of love, ambition, heartbreak, and self-expression.
Badshah as an I-Pop Icon
In this context, Badshah is both a product and a pioneer of the I-Pop wave. His music defies easy classification: equal parts desi and global, playful yet introspective, rooted yet innovative. Over the years, he has seamlessly collaborated with Bollywood, independent artists, and even international acts, demonstrating the versatility that modern pop demands.
Yet what makes Badshah’s story compelling isn’t just his musical success, but his cultural impact. His slang, style, and storytelling have become part of everyday language, influencing everything from social media captions to wedding playlists. By centering him in its I-Pop Icons series, Spotify recognizes his role not just as a hitmaker but as a trendsetter shaping the broader pop landscape.
Why Stories Like This Matter
Getting Closer to Badshah isn’t just a film for fans; it’s a narrative that underscores the transformation of Indian music. As global platforms democratize access, artists can bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach millions directly. Yet the human stories behind the music remain as vital as ever.
For young creators watching, Badshah’s journey offers lessons in resilience, adaptability, and staying true to one’s voice. For listeners, it deepens the appreciation of an artist whose work might otherwise be reduced to catchy hooks and streaming numbers.
For the industry, the film and the larger I-Pop initiative signal a strategic shift: to invest in artists as brands, not just as voices for film soundtracks. This repositioning holds the promise of a richer, more diverse musical ecosystem where pop thrives alongside film music, folk, and classical genres.
Looking Ahead
With I-Pop Icons, Spotify is building a bridge: connecting fans to the human stories behind the songs they love and giving Indian pop artists the visibility they deserve both at home and abroad. Getting Closer to Badshah sets a high benchmark by balancing storytelling, candid interviews, and cultural context.
As Badshah himself reflects in the film, music is both deeply personal and profoundly communal. His songs might begin in the quiet of a studio, but they come alive when they become part of people’s lives a reality the film captures beautifully.
As the I-Pop initiative continues, one thing is clear: the sound of Indian pop is louder, more diverse, and more global than ever before. And at its heart are stories like Badshah’s stories of grit, growth, and an unshakable belief in the power of music to move hearts across languages and borders.
