The news of the channel shutting down struck a chord, as millennials and Gen Z were flooded with nostalgia for the era it defined
For Indian millennials and Gen Z, MTV India was more than entertainment, it shaped music tastes, fashion and attitudes before social media took over. The closure comes amid global restructuring at Paramount Global, as audiences move to digital-first platforms.
Anand Mahindra’s Nostalgic Note
Industrialist Anand Mahindra summed up the collective mood with a throwback line: “I want my MTV.” Reflecting on its influence, he said MTV reshaped how generations heard and saw music, defining icons, taste and what was considered cool — a legacy that still resonates.
‘It Shaped Emotion and Identity’
“As an actress and music lover, this feels deeply personal. MTV didn’t just play music — it shaped emotion, identity and imagination. Its closing marks the end of an era that defined generations.”
— Sheena Chohan, actress
‘It Taught Us to Take Risks’
“For many of us who grew up in the early 2000s, MTV wasn’t just a channel it was a window. It showed us a world that felt faster, louder, riskier and somehow bigger than anything around us. Before social media told us what to like, MTV shaped tastes, attitudes, and the idea that youth could have its own voice. Shows like MTV Roadies were chaotic and rebellious, but they showed young people taking risks, failing publicly and trying again. Before social media told us what to like, MTV shaped tastes and attitudes.”
— Radha Yamini, entrepreneur
‘A Fashion and Confidence Classroom’
“For many of us, MTV wasn’t just about music — it was about confidence, rebellion and freedom. It helped shape how we saw the world.”
— Nafesa Banu, financial advisor
‘Music Before Algorithms’
“Before the internet, MTV introduced me to artists like Eminem, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. It curated music with real taste, without the pressure of algorithms. t gave a fine shuffle of different kinds of music and the introduction to music videos. the search the algorithm these days only shows music from what people like them dislike and what is trendy”
— Priyanka Gajanan, Indie musician
‘A Channel for Teenagers’
“It was the only channel that truly represented teenagers and young adults. I couldn’t relate to daily soaps or western sitcoms — MTV felt like home.”
— Epsita Gunti, media student
BOX
According to BBC, several MTV music channels — including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live — will go off air. Launched in the US in 1981, MTV expanded to Europe in 1987 and later introduced dedicated regional channels, marking a defining chapter in global music television.
