Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated that Indian Sign language (ISL) will now be introduced in the education system as a subject and Ranveer Singh is ecstatic with this news. He has been urging authorities to declare Indian Sign Language (ISL) as the 23rd official language of India. He had signed a petition in 2020 to create awareness for this cause.

Lauding government’s decision, the 36-year-old tells us, “I’m proud that my country has taken such a progressive step towards fostering inclusivity. This will benefit scores of people marks a monumental shift.”

He adds that it will promote ISL and help over 3,00,000 differently abled people in India. His record label, IncInk, which he formed with Navzar Eranee, also released sign language music videos — the only record label to initiate this progressive step. The effort was lauded by the community as they put out a heartfelt video.

The Padmaavat (2018) actor credits the citizens of the country for constantly raising awareness around this issue. He says, “I’m thankful to the citizens of this country who signed the petition. They’ve all participated in their own way in ushering this day.”

His partner, Navzar states they started the label to create art that inspires. “With our song Vartalap, we had the opportunity to include the deaf community in our journey. We soon were educated about their struggles and used our platform to make ISL a recognised language in the country,” he shares.

DNA (April 8, 2019)

Ranveer Singh recently launched his independent record label IncInk with filmmaker-musician Navzar Eranee. The actor announced that his passion project will strive to discover future superstars of the music world and showcase them to a global audience. Soon, they dropped their first music video titled Zeher and presented young rapper Kaam Bhaari to India. When Zeher was uploaded on streaming platforms, it didn’t have Ranveer’s credit. It just focussed on Kaam Bhaari as he was the creator of the music. So, it became obvious that the Gully Boy hero was putting artistes at the forefront.

“Ranveer is using his superstardom to bring focus to these raw musicians of our country. Even in the music video, he didn’t sing, but just did a cameo strategically, so that more people discover the track and watch Kaam Bhaari. It’s incredible to see the focus on talent and the entire music industry has noticed this,” revealed a music industry source.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 30, 2019)

After playing Murad Ahmed in Zoya Akhtar’s recently released Gully Boy, the coming-of-age story of a rapper from Dharavi, Ranveer Singh has taken his love for music a notch higher by launching an independent music record label with filmmaker Navzar Eranee, who he described as his “best friend, soul, life, guide and big brother”.

Ranveer revealed that they’d discussed the idea in Amsterdam three years ago and had got Anushka Manchanda and Shikhar Manchanda on board as their music heads. Insisting that rap and hip-hop are the biggest things happening in Indian music today, he says he wants to support new talent that deserves to be seen and heard and is on every street of our country. “I have nothing against the remix culture—my biggest song ('Aankh Marey' from Simmba ) is one—but it has to co-exist with original music,” he asserted, introducing his first three artistes, Gully Boy co-actor SlowCheeta aka Chaitnya Sharma, Spitfire who penned and composed “Asli Hip Hop” and Kaam Bhaari whose first single “Zeher” was launched at the event. Navzar revealed that the latter remained in the top three, as the list narrowed from 1500 to 11 while Ranveer performed with the rapper on the song.

When asked if they will work with actor-singers Alia Bhatt, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer said, “My wife is also a very beautiful singer but she only sings for me.” Deepika Padukone, who was away shooting for her first production, Chhapaak, wished him on social media.

When asked when one would get to hear him, Ranveer said, “At the moment I am endorsing these sparkling new talents, but I do have something to say and have a lot of pent up angst that I want to let out. At the right time I will express myself on a beat and it will be ‘very hard.’ There are some people out there who have it coming,” he warned.
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Ranveer Singh on why he launched a music label to discover hip-hop artistes
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 30, 2019)

Every alley of this country is filled with people, bursting with talent, who need a platform to showcase their work," says Ranveer Singh, who launched his label IncInk - which stands for inclusive and independent music - yesterday. Well-aware of how rank newcomers struggle to find a footing in the industry, the actor says that the label is an attempt to bring new musicians to the fore.

"Being an outsider in the industry, my endeavour is to support new talent that deserves to be heard. Anyone interested can contact us on social media, and we will connect with them. We have deliberately kept the process simple. We are hoping to bring firebrand and authentic musicians on board," states Singh, who launched the record's first single, Zeher by KaamBhaari.

The label's emphasis on hip-hop comes from Singh's affinity for the genre. Acknowledging that his last release Gully Boy put the spotlight on Indian hip-hop, which was until then relegated to the fringes, the actor adds, "Gully Boy has been a shot in the arm for Hindustani hip-hop. But this label intends to take it forward and develop it further.

Navzar [Eranee, business partner] and I have been working on this since 2016. This label is an extension of me and is a celebration of arts and artistes. Music has always been fuel for me, and I have a deep-rooted love for hip-hop and electronic music." Eranee adds that they are on the lookout for female rappers as well. "We are surveying a few names."

Purvaja Sawant (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2016)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 6, 2016)

Navzar Eranee who earlier this year, directed ‘rapper’ Ranveer Singh in a brand video, has released a bold single now. “Lay You Down” features singer-actresses Monica Dogra and Anushka Manchanda as lovers. Since its release on December 2, it’s got over two million hits across online platforms while also promoting support for the LGBTQ communities.

Anushka, who is one half of the same sex couple and has also edited the three-and-a-half-minute video, asserts that there was a lot of footage she wanted to keep intact but couldn’t. “I told my father that I wanted to show him something and when I did, he exclaimed, 'Woah, this is really beautiful!’ When I look back I realise that the only reason I can be so fearless about being a part of something so bold is because of family support,” she told Mirror, adding that in the past she has made many decisions on a whim but now intends to do more meaningful work with a message.

So, when Mumbai-based electronica producer and composer-singer Nanok approached her and Monica, the two immediately gave their nod after listening to the track just once. Monica who is the leggy half of band, Shaa’ir +Func, had earlier started a crowd-funding campaign to raise Rs 50 lakh for another music video in support of LGBT rights. It was criticized for being elitist for its lack of understanding of the community. However, the singer continues to stand her ground.

For this video Anushka and Monica filmed for 10 hours at a large studio. “What I like about Navzar is that he gives his actors freedom to be themselves,” says Anushka, adding that out of over a 1000 comments pouring in on the social media, hardly two have been negative, warning the makers and the actresses that they could get into some serious trouble.

"The present generation is open-minded. And it will take time to normalize the idea of same sex love. When a child sees his parents call over their couple friends for dinner - who could be two men in love - the child grows up thinking this is normal. He doesn't find it as anything different," Anushka explains, adding that India too will get there.

“Homosexuality is illegal not only in India but also in Russia where I was last month at a film festival for the screening of my film, Angry Indian Goddesses. I was shocked to see protestors outside the theatre. There are other things like climate change to worry about than two women looking real and doing the most natural and normal things on screen. All we’re doing is promoting love,” Anushka asserts, adding that it will take time but India will become as progressive as the West. "Even with this video we are not trying to spearhead a movement, we are hoping to normalise an idea through the only one thing we know - music and film. All we want is to make art," Anushka signs off with a smile.