When news of entertainment and music channel Channel [V] shutting down broke out, ’90s kids reminisced about their teenage years. Twitterverse exploded with fans sharing their most cherished memories around the channel — their favourite musical shows, VJs, and skits among other things. The news wasn’t taken all too well. After all, millions of ’90s kids spent hours watching the channel. But now with the channel shutting down, we ask celebrities about their memories of the channel or any show or skit they hold dear, and if there is one thing from the 90s and 2000s pop culture that they would want to bring back.
‘I was a huge fan of Lucky Ali’s O sanam’
Sachin Warrier, Musician
These music channels brought a wave of independent music back in the ’90s. It was a cycle — music contributed to the rise of the channel, and vice versa. It is through these channels that I discovered a world of music outside of Bollywood music. Artistes like Daler Mehndi, Lucky Ali and Alisha Chinai were a couple of my favourites. I was a huge fan of Lucky Ali’s O Sanam. I remember waiting for that song on television. The ’90s were a huge inspiration for taking up independent music — any musician or music lover who grew up in the ’90s will tell you this.
‘These shows were the only way to consume music videos’
Shashank Purushotham, Theatre person
During college, I was a big fan of both the channels, Channel [V] and MTV.These shows were the only way to consume music videos. Initially, it wasn’t just about Bollywood music. For my generation, it was the only way to listen to music from across the world since there was no YouTube back in the day. In fact, the first thing I would do after coming back home was put on these channels. I also remember fighting with my mother over changing the channels. The ’90s was so much about indie-pop. Eventually the focus changed to Bollywood music. I would love to bring back this genre. In fact we need a chance that backs indie music artistes.
‘Whenever I came down to India, it was my go to channel’
Priya Banerjee, Actress
Channel [V] was one of the coolest channels in India for the youngsters back in the day. In fact, I won’t be exaggerating if I say it was the only channel that was cool. Whenever I came down to India to visit my relatives, it was my go-to channel. I could watch it for hours. I believe it gave India some of it’s popular VJs, be it Aditya Roy Kapur or Shruti Seth. I loved watching their various shows as they were so up to date with trends. It’s so sad that they are closing.
‘I wish it had stayed a purely a musical channel’
Ehsaan Noorani, Music Director
I will miss Channel [V] as it was when it first came into existence. Back then, the channel used to play songs from all over the world — from Arabia, Africa and other countries. Then there was a lot of focus on even Indian singers like Baba Sehgal and Lucky Ali. I wish it had stayed a purely a musical channel, though. The ’90s was a time when the indie music scene really thrived. Musicians were invited to play on TV channels and radio shows and I really miss what that era meant for independent musicians. If there is one thing that I would want to revive from the ’90s, it’s the indie scene.
‘The ’90s always hold a special place for me musically’
Anushka Manchanda, Singer, Model and Actress
It’s so difficult to think of Channel [V] closing. My career really took off from there and when I think of the beginning of my journey in Mumbai, Channel [V] was my first stepping stone. I stayed with them a while as well, even as a VJ, so my association with the channel actually lasted a while. I met a lot of great artistes who I am still in touch with. I was tagged in a tweet a couple of days back and I realised that the channel is closing. I was shocked. The ’90s always hold a special place for me musically. Even now, when I do stage shows with my band, I sing a medley of ’90s numbers — it’s my own way of celebrating the ’90s. I wish those songs would come back — and not in the way that these remixes are coming back but in the original form.
