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T-Series (company)
T-Series (company)
from Wikipedia

Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited,[a][1][3] doing business as T-Series,[b] is an Indian record label and film studio founded by Gulshan Kumar on 11 July 1983.[5] It is primarily known for Hindi film soundtracks[5] and Indi-pop music.[6] T-Series is the largest music record label in India, with up to a 35% share of the Indian music market.[7] As of October 2025, T-Series also owns and operates the most-viewed and the second most-subscribed YouTube channel, with over 305 million subscribers[8] and 314 billion views.[9] While best known as a music label, T-Series has also produced more than 100 films, and has established itself as a leading film production company in Hindi cinema.

Key Information

Kumar, initially a fruit juice seller in Delhi, founded T-Series to sell pirated Hindi songs before the company eventually began producing new music. Their breakthrough came with the soundtrack for the 1988 Bollywood blockbuster Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, composed by Anand–Milind, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, which became one of the best-selling Indian music albums of the 1980s, with over 8 million sales. They eventually became a leading music label with the release of Aashiqui (1990), composed by Nadeem–Shravan, which sold 20 million copies and became the best-selling Indian soundtrack album of all time.[10] However, Gulshan Kumar was murdered by the Mumbai mafia syndicate D-Company on 12 August 1997. Since then, T-Series has been led by his son Bhushan Kumar and younger brother Krishan Kumar.

On YouTube, T-Series has a multi-channel network, with 43 channels (including Lahari Music) that have over 591.35 million subscribers as of 03 April 2025. The company's YouTube team consists of 13 people at the T-Series headquarters.[11] The company's main T-Series channel on YouTube primarily shows music videos as well as film trailers. It became the most-viewed YouTube channel in January 2017.[12] T-Series's channel was also the most-subscribed channel on YouTube from 14 April 2019 to 2 June 2024, until it was overtaken by MrBeast. The T-Series channel primarily features content in the Hindi language, and occasionally several other languages including Bhojpuri, Punjabi and English. T-Series also has several other channels dedicated to content in various Indian languages including Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Haryanvi, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Rajasthani, Himachali (Pahari), and Kashmiri. They also have dedicated channels for Hindu devotional content, health and fitness, as well as children's content featuring nursery rhymes, bedtime stories, and much more.

History

[edit]

T-Series was founded on 11 July 1983[1] by Gulshan Kumar,[13] at the time a fruit juice seller in the Daryaganj neighbourhood of Delhi.[14] The company initially sold pirated Hindi film songs, prior to releasing original music.[15][16][17] Back then, the Indian audio cassette market was small-scale, with widespread piracy, but there was growing demand for cassette music. According to Rediff, while Kumar "was involved in piracy, he was passionately market- and consumer-driven."[18] The company also took advantage of loopholes in copyright law allowing for the release of cover versions of songs, which T-Series would then flood the market with.[19] Researchers Lawrence Liang and Ravi Sundaram wrote:

T-Series was a profoundly disruptive force in the Indian music market, in large part because it was a tremendously successful pirate. The company built its catalog through a variety of quasi-legal and illegal practices ... [T-Series] engaged in more straightforward copyright infringement in the form of pirate releases of popular hits, and it often illegally obtained film scores before the release of the film to ensure that its recordings were the first to hit the market.[19]

Krishan Kumar (left) and CEO Bhushan Kumar (right), the brother and son of Gulshan Kumar, respectively, during the audio release of Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Kumar discovered that there was also a market for devotional music, and began recording and selling it. Kumar noticed that many elderly Hindu followers could not read hymns and chants because of failing eyesight, so Kumar hired singers to record the chants and sold them as cheap cassettes. Later, he filmed major Hindu pilgrimages in India and sold them on VHS and video cassette tapes.[20]

T-Series' first original film soundtrack release was for Lallu Ram in 1984, with music scored by Ravindra Jain.[citation needed] The company's breakthrough came when it released the soundtrack for the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (also known as QSQT),[21] directed by Mansoor Khan and starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. The Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak soundtrack, composed by Anand–Milind and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, became the best-selling Indian soundtrack album of 1988 and one of the best-selling Indian soundtrack albums of the 1980s,[22] with more than 8 million units sold.[23] The biggest hit song from the album was "Papa Kehte Hain", sung by Udit Narayan and picturised on Aamir Khan.[24][25] T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar soon played a key role in Hindi film music's cassette boom of the late 1980s with his affordable T-Series albums.[26]

T-Series later became a leading music label with the release of Aashiqui (1990),[15] directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The Aashiqui film soundtrack album, composed by the duo Nadeem–Shravan, sold 20 million units in India,[27] and is the best-selling Hindi film soundtrack album of all time.[10] A cover version of "Dheere Dheere" from Aashiqui was later sung by Yo Yo Honey Singh and released by T-Series in 2015.[citation needed]

T-Series was largely responsible for sparking a boom for the Indian music industry in the early 1990s.[23] Many of the best-selling Hindi music albums of the 1990s, particularly those composed by Nadeem–Shravan, were released under the T-Series label.[10] Besides music production, the company also began venturing into film production.[28] The annual earnings of T-Series grew from 20 crore ($16 million) in 1985 to ₹200 crore ($88 million) in 1991,[29][30] and by 1997 had reached ₹500 crore[31] ($140 million).[32]

In 1997, T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar was murdered by the Mumbai mafia syndicate D-Company.[31] His assassination also led to T-Series losing its most prolific musicians at the time, Nadeem–Shravan, due to Nadeem Akhtar Saifi initially being accused of involvement in the murder, before later being exonerated.[33][34][35] After Gulshan Kumar's death in 1997, the company has since been led by his son Bhushan Kumar,[36] with the help of Gulshan's younger brother Krishan Kumar.

As a film production company, T-Series has had some moderate success. The highest-grossing T-Series film production to date is the critically acclaimed sleeper hit Hindi Medium (2017), written by Zeenat Lakhani, directed by Saket Chaudhary, and starring Irrfan Khan and Saba Qamar.[37] It grossed ₹322.4 crore ($44 million) worldwide,[38] with $34 million in China alone,[39] becoming one of the top 20 highest-grossing Indian films of all time.[40] One of the most expensive Indian films was T-Series's Saaho,[41] a sci-fi thriller with a production budget of 300 crore (equivalent to 373 crore or US$44 million in 2023), released in 2019.[42][43]

YouTube presence

[edit]

T-Series joined YouTube on 13 March 2006, but only started uploading videos in late 2010. The T-Series YouTube channel is run by a team of 13 people at the T-Series headquarters.[11] Under this channel, T-Series primarily shows music videos and film trailers.[citation needed]

By July 2013, it had crossed 1 billion views, becoming the second Indian YouTube channel to cross the milestone after Rajshri Productions.[44] In January 2017, T-Series surpassed PewDiePie to become the world's most-viewed YouTube channel,[45][12][46][47] and as of July 2025 it has over 306 billion views.[48] On 10 September 2018, the channel received a Custom Ruby Play Button on reaching 50 million subscribers.[49] It is also the second channel ever to hit 70 million subscribers.[9] On 29 May 2019, T-Series became the first channel to reach 100 million subscribers,[50] and in December 2021, became the first channel to reach 200 million subscribers.[51] Over 2 time periods, T-Series was the most-subscribed YouTube channel; a 5-day period in March 2019,[52] and a 1,876 day period between April 2019 and June 2024.[53]

As of September 2025, T-Series has over 304 million subscribers, making it the second most-subscribed YouTube channel, behind MrBeast.[54] On average, T-Series gains 76,000 subscribers daily.[55]

T-Series channel also owns a multi-channel network, with 29 channels[2] (excluding Lahari Music), which include YouTube channels such as T-Series Telugu, T-Series Tamil,[56] Bollywood Classics,[57] T-Series Kids Hut, T-Series Apna Punjab, T-Series Kannada, Shabad Gurbani, Health And Fitness, T-Series Bhakti Sagar (mainly dedicated to Hindu devotional music, and to a lesser extent Jain, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian), Pop Chartbusters, T-Series Malayalam, T-Series Classics, T-Series Regional, hamaarbhojpuri, T-Series Gujarati, T-Series Marathi, T-Series Bhavageethegalu & Folk, Bhakti Sagar Telugu, Bhakti Sagar Tamil, Bhakti Sagar Malayalam, T-Series Bhakti Marathi, Bhakti Sagar Kannada, T-Series Islamic Music, T-Series Kids Hut-Portuguese Fairy Tales, T-Series Haryanvi, T-Series Kids Hut-Telugu Kathalu, T-Series Kids Hut-Cuentos en Español and T-Series Kids Hut Tamil.

On top of this, seven of their channels are among the top 100 most-subscribed channels in India, including T-Series, Bhakti Sagar, Apna Punjab, Pop Chartbusters, Bollywood Classics, T-Series Regional, Lahari Music.[58]

T-Series' 29 channels accumulated a total of more than 184 million YouTube subscribers as of July 2019. During January–July 2018, T-Series earned an income of 720 crore (equivalent to 895 crore or US$110 million in 2023) from YouTube.[56] Online revenue contributes to at least 60% of the company's overall revenue.[59]

The most popular song on the T-Series channel is "Dilbar" (2018),[60] an updated version of a 1999 song from Sirf Tum originally composed by Nadeem–Shravan, reinvisioned by Tanishk Bagchi with Middle-Eastern musical influences,[61] and a music video featuring Arabic belly dancing from Moroccan-Canadian dancer Nora Fatehi.[62] It has become one of the most popular Hindi film music videos of all time,[63] with its international success inspiring an Arabic language version released by T-Series, also featuring Nora Fatehi. "Dilbar" is popular across South Asia and the Arab world, with all versions of the song having received more than 1 billion views on YouTube.[64] The most popular T-Series artist on YouTube is Punjabi language artist Guru Randhawa, whose song "Lahore" (2017) has crossed 1 billion views on YouTube.[65] "Slowly Slowly", Guru Randhawa's collaboration with American rapper Pitbull released by T-Series, received 38 million views within a day, becoming one of the most-viewed music videos in 24 hours.[66]

The growth of T-Series' YouTube channel has been attributed to India's emerging online population. A major breakthrough in India's Internet growth came in September 2016 with the advent of 4G network Reliance Jio, offering data at very low costs.[13] India has since emerged as the world's second-largest online population (behind China, where YouTube is blocked), with YouTube alone having over 225 million monthly Indian users. India's high demand for YouTube content and the lack of local content creators has contributed significantly to the rapid growth of T-Series.[67]

The growth of T-Series is also attributed to its growing audience outside of India.[13] About 40% of the channel's traffic comes from outside of India,[2] including 12% from the United States.[13] The majority of the channel's overseas viewers belong to the global South Asian diaspora. More recently, the channel's overseas viewership has increased further, as a result of attention and controversy drawn to the channel by foreign YouTubers such as PewDiePie and MrBeast.[2] On 22 February 2019 at 6:04 AM, T-Series surpassed PewDiePie for the first time to become the most-subscribed YouTube channel, with PewDiePie regaining the spot 8 minutes later. T-Series overtook PewDiePie in a similar manner many more times over the following weeks, and on 27 March, finally gained and maintained, until 1 April, the top spot by a fluctuating, but overall growing, margin.[68][69] On 1 June 2024, MrBeast overtook T-Series and gained the top spot.[citation needed]

[edit]

In November 2007, T-Series filed a lawsuit against YouTube for infringing on the copyright of its music by allowing users to upload videos of its music onto YouTube, which could be accessed for free, and obtained an interim order against YouTube from the Delhi High Court, which restrained YouTube from infringing on its copyrights.[70][71] T-Series and YouTube settled out of court in January 2011.[71]

In April 2019, after PewDiePie released two diss tracks against T-Series, "Congratulations" and "Bitch Lasagna", T-Series filed a complaint with the Delhi High Court to have the songs removed from YouTube, arguing that they were "defamatory, disparaging, insulting, and offensive". Despite Kjellberg's statement that these diss tracks were "done in good fun", the court issued a temporary injunction in favour of T-Series on 8 April 2019 and access to the diss tracks on YouTube was blocked in India.[72][73] In August 2019, it was reported that T-Series and PewDiePie had settled their legal disputes outside of court.[74]

Film produced

[edit]

Soundtrack discography

[edit]

This is a list of soundtrack albums that were published under the T-Series label, excluding films that were also produced by T-Series (see Production filmography above). All information on the years of release of the albums has been/is being found with the help of Discogs[75][76] and MySwar[77]

Hindi cinema

[edit]

Original

[edit]
Year Film
1980s
1984 Lallu Ram
Pyar Jhukta Nahin
Aandhi-Toofan
Preeti
Shukriiyaa
Balidaan
Phaansi Ke Baad
Patthar
Seepeeyan
Yeh Preet Na Hoge Kam
Milenge Kabhi
Bad-Kaar
Teri Pooja Kare Sansaar
Jai Maa Vindhyavasini
1985 Oonche Log
Aitbaar
Sultanat
Telephone
Dharm Adhikari
Ilzaam
Alag Alag
Mard
Masterji
Zabardast
Aakhir Kyon?
Be-Lagaam
Haqeeqat
Teri Meherbaniyan
Maa Kasam
Love 86
Aag Aur Shola
Mera Suhaag/Tanha Tanha
Jhoothi
Kala Dhanda Goray Log
Patthar Dil
Raahee
Swarag Se Sunder
Dharam Shatru
Karishma Kudrat Kaa
Bayen Haath Ka Khel
Dekha Pyar Tumhara
Bandhan Anjana
Paisa Yeh Paisa
Aap Ke Saath
Pyar Ho Gaya
Tum Par Hum Qurban
Jwala
Gharwali Baharwali
I Love You
Haathon Ki Lakeeren
Ranjish
Chintamanee Surdas
Tera Karam Mera Dharam
Maqaar
Bud-Naseeb
Bahu Ki Awaz
Zulm Ka Badla
Sej Piya Ki
1986 Nagina
Avinash
Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein
Jaan-E-Wafa
1987 Mr. India
Inaam Dus Hazaar
Dance Dance
1988 Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Tezaab
Waaris
Naa-Mumkin
1989 Tridev
Prem Pratigyaa
Chaalbaaz
Love Love Love
Nakaa Bandi
Sheshnaag
Bhrashtachar
1990s
1990 Dil
Yaadon Ke Mausam
Thanedaar
Jungle Love
Nachnewale Gaanewale
Sher Dil
Appu Raja
College Girl
Ajooba
Kaarnama
Doodh Ka Karz
Amba
Aaj Ke Shahenshah
Jamai Raja
Saugandh
Aandhiyan
Police Public
Fateh
Jaan Pehchan
Karm Yodha
Vishnu-Devaa
Teri Talash Mein
Anjaane Rishte
Tejaa
Choron Ki Rani Hasino Ka Raja
Mahal
1991 Sadak
Sahibaan
Honeymoon
Tahalka
Jaan Ki Kasam
Hai Meri Jaan
Kurbaan
Prem Dharm
Radha Ka Sangam
Pratigyabadh
Mera Dil Tere Liye
Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi
Pyar Bhara Dil
Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan
Do Matwale
Dastoor
Saathi
Paap Ki Aandhi
Ajooba Kudrat Ka
Maut Ki Sazaa
1992 Beta
Junoon
Chor Aur Chaand
Prateeksha
Mehboob Mere Mehboob
Izzat Ki Roti
Mr. Bond
1993 Jaanam
Meherbaan
Muqabla
Pardesi
1994
1995 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (unofficial)[18]
Sanam Harjai
Phool Bane Patthar
1996 Khel Khiladi Ka (dubbed version of Super Police)
1997 Aflatoon
Prithvi
Jodidar
Chota Chetan
1998 Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
Gharwali Baharwali
Salaakhen
Jeans (dubbed version)
Dulhe Raja
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
Daag
Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain
Pardesi Babu
Angaaray
Hero Hindustani
Lo Main Aagaya
Monsoon
1999 Sirf Tum
Vaastav: The Reality
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Khoobsurat
Sangharsh
Silsila Hai Pyar Ka
1947: Earth
Dus
Bulandi
Badal
Arjun Pandit
Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain
Khauff
Shool
Zulmi
2000s
2000 Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
Chal Mere Bhai
Dhai Akshar Prem Ke
Hadh Kar Di Aapne
Beti No. 1
Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya
Bichhoo
Farz
Shikari
Astitva
2001 Nayak: The Real Hero
Dil Chahta Hai
Jodi No. 1
Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen
Pyaasa
Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge
Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Bombay Girls
Meri Pyari Bahaniya Banegi Dulhaniya
Boond
2002 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam
Kaante
Deewangee
Akhiyon Se Goli Maare
Ab Ke Baras
Kash... Aap Hamare Hote
Chor Machaaye Shor
Karz: The Burden of Truth
23rd March 1931: Shaheed
Maine Dil Tujhko Diya
Company
Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai?
Rishtey
Ek Hindustani
Dushmani
Gautam Govinda
2003 Tere Naam
Chalte Chalte
Saaya
Baghban
Chameli
Tehzeeb
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah
Inteha
Janasheen
Khakee
Kucch To Hai
Bhoot
Plan
Rudraksh
Tumse Milke... Wrong Number
Insaaf
Zameen
Sssshhh...
Armaan
Jackpot (The Money Game)
Hum Do Hamaara Ek/Sandwich
Love In Nepal
Chaal Baaz
2004 Main Hoon Na
Swades
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
Masti
Musafir
Lakeer – Forbidden Lines
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
Deewaar: Let's Bring Our Heroes Home
Aan: Men at Work
Garv: Pride & Honour
Julie
Vaada
Shabd
Dil Maange More
I – Proud to Be an Indian
Phir Milenge
Socha Na Tha
Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo
Chehraa
Girlfriend
Naach
Shikaar – The Musical Thriller
Rakht
Kismat
Naam Gum Jaayega
Zameer: The Fire Within
Madhoshi
Shukriya: Till Death Do Us Apart
Blackmail
Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai
Ab...Bas! – Now Or Never
Bullet: Ek Dhamaka
Sheesha
2005 Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak
Paheli
Aksar
Aashiq Banaya Aapne
Kyon Ki
Tango Charlie
Fight Club - Members Only
Waqt: The Race Against Time
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?
Sarkar
Zinda
Main Aisa Hi Hoon
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena
Yakeen
Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai
Dus
Deewane Huye Paagal
Karam
Bachke Rehna Re Baba
Vishwas
James
Shikhar
Nazar
Kyaa Kool Hai Hum
Mr Ya Miss
Ek Ajnabee
Koi Aap Sa
Jaane Hoga Kya
Mashooka
2006 Krrish
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Pyaar Ke Side Effects
Jaan-E-Mann
Don
Baabul
Woh Lamhe...
Umrao Jaan
Love Ke Chakkar Mein
Ankahee
Phir Hera Pheri
Anthony Kaun Hai?
Zindaggi Rocks
Chup Chup Ke
Ahista Ahista
Tom, Dick, and Harry
The Killer
Just Married
Tathastu
Aryan - Unbreakable
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love
Partner
Om Shanti Om
Heyy Babyy
Jab We Met
Taare Zameen Par
Return of Hanuman
Apne
Shakalaka Boom Boom
Halla Bol
Aap Kaa Surroor
Kya Love Story Hai
Dhol
Aag
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Shootout at Lokhandwala
Sarhad Paar
Nehlle Pe Dehlla
Bombay to Bangkok
Raqeeb
The Train
MP3: Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar
Fool & Final
Nishabd
2008 Yuvvraaj
Ghajini
Golmaal Returns
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Fashion
Chandni Chowk to China
Black & White
Krazzy 4
Chamku
Bhoothnath
De Taali
Ru Ba Ru
Victory
Mehbooba
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
Sorry Bhai!
Hastey Hastey
Dashavatar
EMI
C Kkompany
Haal-E-Dil
2009 3 Idiots
Delhi-6
Blue
Kaminey
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Dev.D
8 x 10 Tasveer
London Dreams
Paa
Dulha Mil Gaya
Billu Barber
Luck
Life Partner
All the Best: Fun Begins
Wanted
Gulaal
Jashnn
Runway
Phir Kabhi
Bolo Raam
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aloo Chaat
2010s
2010 Tees Maar Khan
Break Ke Baad
Golmaal 3
Kite
Raavan
Teen Patti
Action Replayy
Guzaarish
Karthik Calling Karthik
Ishqiya
Dabangg
Lamhaa
Housefull
Yamla Pagla Deewana
Milenge Milenge
Knock Out
Malik Ek
Well Done Abba
Payback
Toonpur Ka Superrhero
Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon
Peepli Live
Mittal v/s Mittal
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai
Rakta Charitra
Rakta Charitra 2
Bumm Bumm Bole
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Anjaana Anjaani
Na Ghar Ke Na Ghaat Ke
2011 Ra.One
Dum Maaro Dum
Bodyguard
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Desi Boyz
Rockstar
Force
Don 2
Bin Bulaye Baraati
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
Murder 2
Haunted – 3D
Thank You
Tanu Weds Manu
Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap
Stanley Ka Dabba
Love Breakups Zindagi
The Dirty Picture
Game
Speedy Singhs
Hostel
Pyaar Ka Punchnama
Phhir
Shaitan
Players
2012 Ferrari Ki Sawaari
Agent Vinod
Housefull 2
Dabangg 2
Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1
Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2
Jodi Breakers
Dangerous Ishhq
Bol Bachchan
Cocktail
Son Of Sardaar
Talaash: The Answer Lies Within
English Vinglish
Inkaar
Hate Story
Aiyyaa
Kahaani
Rush
Department
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal
Khiladi 786
Maximum
Gali Gali Chor Hai
Jism 2
1920: Evil Returns
Teri Meri Kahaani
Prem Mayee
Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai
Kismat Love Paisa Dilli
Chal Pichchur Banate Hain
Chakradhaar
Akaash Vani
Challo Driver
Fatso!
2013 Ishkq in Paris
Krrish 3
Commando: A One Man Army
Chennai Express
Chashme Baddoor
Bullett Raja
2014 Yaariyan
Shaadi Ke Side Effects
Ragini MMS 2
Heropanti
Happy New Year
Main Tera Hero
Fugly
PK
2015 Dil Dhadakne Do
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
2016 Baaghi
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
Dishoom
Mohenjo Daro
2017 Kaabil
Commando 2: The Black Money Trail
Badrinath Ki Dulhania
Machine
Baadshaho
Golmaal Again
Judwaa 2
Mubarakan
Lucknow Central
2018 Phir Se...
Nanu Ki Jaanu
Nawabzaade
Baaghi 2
Badhaai Ho
FryDay
The Dark Side of Life: Mumbai City
Zero
Loveyatri
Simmba
2019 72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died
Amavas
Luka Chuppi
Notebook
Junglee
Chhichhore
Housefull 4
Dabangg 3
The Body
2020s
2020 Baaghi 3
Angrezi Medium
Yaara
2021 Thalaivi
Sooryavanshi
Tadap
Pushpa: The Rise
Atrangi Re
2022 Vadh
RRR
Heropanti 2
Bachchhan Paandey
Jugjugg Jeeyo
Shabaash Mithu
Laal Singh Chaddha
2023 Satyaprem Ki Katha
Bawaal
Jawan
Dunki
2024 Indian Police Force (Web Series)
Fighter
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya
Crakk
Yodha
Kuch Khatta Ho Jaye
Chandu Champion
Do Patti
2025 Crazxy
Be Happy
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
Housefull 5
Ek Chatur Naar

Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (acquired)

[edit]

Plus Music (acquired)

[edit]
Year Film
1995 Papa Kehte Hai
Bhairavi
1996 Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
Gudgudee
Laalchee
Sardari Begum
1997 Lav Kush
Judge Mujrim
Daava
Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe
Daadagiri
Gudia
1998 Saaz
Saazish
Zor

Krishna Music (acquired)

[edit]
Year Film
1998 Himmatwala
1999 Sautela
Aaag Hi Aag

Big Music (acquired)

[edit]

Kannada cinema

[edit]

T-Series collaborated with Lahari Music.

Year Film
2010s
2016 Jaguar
Santhu Straight Forward
2017 Jani
2018 K.G.F: Chapter 1
2019 Kurukshetra
2020s
2022 K.G.F: Chapter 2
Vikrant Rona
Banaras
2023 Martin
Ghost
Ronny The Ruler

Malayalam cinema

[edit]

T-Series collaborated with Lahari Music.

Year Film
1993 Gandharvam
2019 Mamangam

Tamil cinema

[edit]

T-Series collaborated with Lahari Music, Big Music and other prominent labels.

Year Film
1985 Nanban
1986 Uyire Unakkaga
1986 Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
1986 Mannukkul Vairam
1986 Vaira Vizha
1987 Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu
1987 Raja Mariyadhai
1987 Velicham
1987 Ananda Aradhanai
1987 Poo Poova Poothirukku
1987 Yettikku Potti
1987 Oru Thayin Sabhatham
1987 Aankalai Nambathey
1987 Kizhakku Africavil Sheela
1987 Mangai Oru Gangai
1987 Parisam Pottachu
1987 Kavithai Paada Neramillai
1987 Pombala Manasu
1988 Kan Simittum Neram
1988 Kunguma Kodu
1988 En Thangai Kalyani
1988 Ovvoru Poovukkum Oru Vaasam
1988 Aathi Thalam
1988 Oorai Therinjukitten
1988 Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum
1989 Solaikuyil
1989 Rasathi Kalyanam
1990 Enakkoru Neethi
1991 Nanbargal
1991 Thalapathi
1992 Roja
1993 Amaravathi
1994 Kaadhalan
1997 Minsara Kanavu
1997 Devathai
1997 Ratchagan
2000 Kadhal Rojave
2007 Kireedam
2007 Marudhamalai
2007 Kattradhu Thamizh
2007 Thavam
2007 Vilaiyattu
2007 Kannamoochi Yenada
2007 Machakaaran
2008 Sila Nerangalil
2008 Chakkara Viyugam
2008 Sandai
2008 Uliyin Osai
2008 Kuselan
2008 Poi Solla Porom
2012 Saguni
2012 Naan
2012 Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam
2013 Alex Pandian
2013 David
2013 Therodum Veedhiyile
2015 Sagaptham
2015 Baahubali: The Beginning
2015 Sakalakala Vallavan
2015 Masala Padam
2015 Inji Iduppazhagi
2016 Irudhi Suttru
2016 Kalam
2016 Idhu Namma Aalu
2016 Raja Manthiri
2016 Thodari
2016 Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum
2016 Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan
2016 Virugam
2016 Kadhali Kanavillai
2017 Bairavaa
2017 Bruce Lee
2017 Baahubali: The Conclusion
2017 Dhayam
2017 Yaar Ivan
2017 Aval
2017 Ulkuthu
2018 Vishwaroopam II
2018 Kee
2018 Kaatrin Mozhi
2018 Thittam Poattu Thirudura Kootam
2018 K.G.F: Chapter 1
2019 Viswasam
2019 Ayogya
2019 Kee
2019 Thittam Poattu Thirudura Kootam
2019 Capmaari
2019 Hero
2019 Thambi
2020 Pattas
2020 Ka Pae Ranasingam
2020 Laabam
2020 Dikkilona
2020 Chakra
2020 Friendship
2020 Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban
2022 Anbarivu
2023 Varisu
2024 The Greatest of All Time

Telugu cinema

[edit]

T-Series collaborated with Lahari Music

Year Film
1987 Majnu
Premalokam
Swayamkrushi
Chakravarthy
Srinivasa Kalyanam
Trimurtulu
1988 Muthyamantha Muddu
Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
1989 Vichitra Sodarulu
1990 Lorry Driver
Muddula Menalludu
Nari Nari Naduma Murari
Shanti Kranti
1991 Gang Leader
Rowdy Alludu
Jaitra Yatra
1992 Rowdy Inspector
Donga Polics
Gharana Mogudu
Roja (Dubbed version)
Chinna Rayudu
Sundarakanda
Peddarikam
Chamanthi (Dubbed version)
Aapathbandavudu
Antham
Aswamedham
1993 Mugguru Monagallu
Mechanic Alludu
Gentleman (Dubbed version)
Bangaru Bullodu
1994 Indhu
Nippu Ravva
Abbayigaru
1995 Antham
Brahma
Gaayam
Nippu Ravva
Allari Alludu
Seetharathnam Gari Abbayi
Muta Mestri
Rowdy Gaari Pellam
Bangaru Bullodu
Kondapalli Raja
Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu
Pokiri Raja
Kshana Kshanam
Premikudu (Dubbed version)
Money
Indira (Dubbed version)
Orey Rikshaw
Allari Mogudu
1996 Bombay Priyudu
Pelli Sandadi
Hitler
Mr. Romeo (Dubbed version)
Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi
1997 Gokulamlo Seetha
Master
1998 Tholi Prema
Sriramulayya
1999 Hallo My Dear Monishaa (Dubbed version)
2007 Happy Days
2009 Vengamamba
Billa
2013 1:Nenokkadine
2014 Legend
Race Gurram
Premalo ABC
Aagadu
Joru
2015 Gopala Gopala
Yevade Subramanyam
Dohchay
Rudramadevi
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy
Lion
Asura
Baahubali: The Beginning
Akhil
Size Zero
2016 Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha
Sarrainodu
Chuttalabbayi
Parvathipuram
Majnu
Attack
Guntur Talkies
Srirastu Subhamastu
Jaguar
Hyper
Janatha Garage
2017 Khaidi No. 150
Gautamiputra Satakarni
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
Guru
Om Namo Venkatesaya
Veedevadu
Poraatam
Agent Bhairavaa (Dubbed version)
2018 Rangasthalam
Bharat Ane Nenu
Krishnarjuna Yudham
Savyasachi
Amar Akbar Antony
2019 Vinaya Vidheya Rama
Sita
Dear Comrade
Arjun Suravaram
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
Prati Roju Pandage
2020 Sarileru Neekevvaru
Disco Raja
30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela
2021 Krack
Red
Akhanda
Pushpa: The Rise
2022 Aadavallu Meeku Joharlu
Clap
Radhe Shyam
RRR
2023 Adipurush
2024 Devara: Part 1
Pushpa 2: The Rule
2025 Sankranthiki Vasthunam
14 days Girlfriend Intlo

Bengali cinema

[edit]
Year Film
2013 Deewana
Boss: Born to Rule
2014 Jaatishwar
The Royal Bengal Tiger
Game
Buno Haansh
Bachchan
Chotushkone
2015 Ebar Shabor
Black
2024 Dard

International

[edit]
Year Film
2008 Slumdog Millionaire: Music from the Motion Picture

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, doing business as T-Series, is an Indian multinational , film production studio, and conglomerate founded in 1983 by . Headquartered in , , with key operations in , the company specializes in producing and distributing Bollywood soundtracks, independent music releases, devotional content, and feature films, while also venturing into web series and global artist collaborations. T-Series initially gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s by manufacturing affordable audio cassettes of devotional hymns, prayers, and pirated Bollywood music, capturing a significant share of India's nascent recorded music market. Following Gulshan Kumar's assassination in , his son assumed leadership at age 19 and shifted the focus toward legitimate music production, soundtracks, and . Under Bhushan's direction, T-Series expanded into , releasing blockbusters and partnering with international artists such as Pitbull, , and . The company's digital pivot, particularly its YouTube presence since 2006, propelled it to global fame; as of January 2026, its main channel holds 309 million subscribers, making it the second most-subscribed YouTube channel worldwide and the most-viewed channel after MrBeast, with over 326 billion total views across more than 25,000 videos. This growth, fueled by viral hits like "Dilbar" (over 2 billion views) and the 2017 "Jio effect" from widespread affordable internet access in India, has positioned T-Series as a leader in ad-supported music streaming. Dominating the Indian music industry with a 35-40% , T-Series releases around 2,000 songs annually and derives the majority of its revenue from digital platforms, which account for 87% of the sector's income. In fiscal year 2024, it reported revenue of ₹1,565 (approximately $186 million USD), despite a 6.35% year-over-year decline, underscoring its resilience amid streaming growth and film music's 64% dominance in consumption. T-Series continues to innovate through content licensing deals, such as its 2023 global with for hip-hop series.

History

Founding and early years

T-Series, originally established as Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, was founded by on July 11, 1983, in , . The company began operations as an audio cassette manufacturing venture, initially concentrating on devotional music such as Hindu hymns, bhajans, and prayers to tap into a underserved by major labels. This focus allowed T-Series to produce low-cost cassettes that appealed to a broad audience in a pre-digital era dominated by physical media. During the late 1980s, T-Series achieved rapid expansion by offering affordable cassettes—priced significantly lower than competitors like —through an innovative distribution network that included small vendors such as paan shops and grocery stores across . The company leveraged a mix of licensed content and initially pirated recordings to build its catalog, disrupting the established and capturing a significant share of the Indian market by the end of the decade. This growth was fueled by hits in devotional and emerging film soundtracks, positioning T-Series as a dominant force in cassette sales amid rampant industry-wide . In the 1990s, T-Series shifted toward legitimate production, emphasizing original Bollywood soundtracks like those for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Aashiqui (1990), while actively participating in anti-piracy initiatives to protect its growing portfolio amid legal challenges and industry threats. The company's trajectory was abruptly altered on August 12, 1997, when Gulshan Kumar was assassinated outside a temple in Mumbai, an attack linked to underworld rivalries over music extortion and piracy disputes. Leadership then passed to his son, Bhushan Kumar, who at age 19 assumed control and steered the firm through this turbulent transition.

Expansion into films and digital media

T-Series began diversifying into in the late 1990s, leveraging its dominance in music soundtracks to co-produce Bollywood films that emphasized strong musical elements. Early efforts focused on low-budget ventures where music served as a key draw, allowing the company to integrate its core expertise into full-scale filmmaking. This expansion accelerated in the , with T-Series scaling up its output to become a prolific producer in . By 2022, the company announced ambitious plans for a 100-film slate across multiple Indian languages, reflecting its growth to over 100 productions by 2025 and establishing it as a major player in the industry. Amid the piracy crisis, which affected up to 65% of the Indian market, T-Series combated losses through aggressive pricing strategies and legal actions to protect copyrights. By the early , piracy rates had declined to around 40%, aided by a shift toward legal sales channels and innovative partnerships. In the , T-Series pioneered digital forays by collaborating with telecom providers to distribute as ringtones, which emerged as the company's largest by the late decade and helped offset declines. These experiments marked an early adaptation to emerging mobile technologies, laying groundwork for broader . By the , T-Series solidified its position as India's largest label, capturing over 35% of the by 2015 through diversified from music rights, films, and nascent online platforms. Annual turnover surpassed significant milestones, with estimates placing it among the top earners in the sector and fueling further investments in .

Corporate structure

Ownership and leadership

T-Series, operating under Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited (SCIL), is a owned by the Kumar family. has served as Chairman and Managing Director since 1997, overseeing the company's diversification into music, films, and digital media. His uncle, Krishan Kumar, acts as co-owner and has contributed to production and operational aspects. Key leadership includes Neeraj Kalyan, appointed as President and Executive Director in 2024, who manages digital and operational strategies after over 25 years with the company. Shiv Chanana serves as a Director on the board, focusing on collaborations. The Kumar family maintains deep involvement, with Bhushan's sisters as a prominent under T-Series and Khushali Kumar pursuing acting and modeling careers. Succession planning emphasizes family continuity, though specific emerging roles for Bhushan Kumar's children remain private. The company's is located in , , supporting its core operations in music and .

Acquisitions and subsidiaries

T-Series has expanded its music portfolio through strategic acquisitions of catalogs from other labels, significantly enhancing its holdings in Bollywood and regional soundtracks. In 2010, the company acquired the catalog of Reliance Big Music, which included a substantial library of film music and independent releases, allowing T-Series to consolidate its dominance in the Indian music market. This move integrated thousands of tracks into T-Series' repertoire, contributing to a vast collection that exceeded 200,000 titles by the early . In the film sector, T-Series operates T-Series Films as its primary production and distribution division, focusing on and collaborations rather than separate subsidiaries. The company has pursued partnerships for distribution, such as its 2019 agreement with to handle the theatrical release of the T-Series co-produced film , enabling broader market reach for select projects. These alliances have supported T-Series' transition from music-centric operations to a full-fledged entity, with the acquired music assets providing foundational soundtracks for its film ventures. No major acquisitions have occurred since the Big Music deal, though T-Series has faced challenges impacting its infrastructure. In 2025, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority initiated proceedings to acquire approximately four hectares of T-Series-owned land in Namoli village for a 1.5 km six-lane road project aimed at easing traffic congestion near Pari Chowk. T-Series contested the authority's claim of prior consent, leading to delays and potential disruptions to its nearby facilities. Overall, these acquisitions and integrations have propelled T-Series' music catalog to include over 200,000 songs across multiple languages, underscoring its role as India's leading music label.

Music operations

Production and distribution model

T-Series employs an in-house production model for creating music content, encompassing film soundtracks, , and extended plays (EPs). This approach allows the company to maintain creative control over recording, mixing, and mastering processes at its Noida-based studios, enabling rapid turnaround for Bollywood projects and non-film releases. In April 2024, T-Series announced a strategy to release multiple albums and EPs on a monthly basis, targeting diverse genres such as indie, commercial , folk, and hip-hop to appeal to varied audience preferences. The company's artist management emphasizes long-term collaborations with prominent singers and partnerships with Bollywood composers, fostering a robust roster that supports both film and independent projects. Singers like and have been integral to T-Series' output through extended engagements, while has contributed vocals to numerous soundtracks under collaborative agreements. Composers such as Vishal Mishra and frequently partner with T-Series for in-house productions, blending established talent with emerging indie artists like Vasu Kainth and rap groups such as 100RBH. Distribution occurs through a hybrid of physical and digital channels, with physical formats including CDs and a revival of vinyl releases available via retailers like Amazon. Digitally, T-Series leverages its proprietary platforms, including , alongside streaming partnerships with services such as —via a 2019 global licensing deal granting access to over 160,000 tracks—and , which integrated T-Series' catalog in 2014. International distribution targets markets in regions like , the , and the , where Bollywood and regional music resonate with Indian expatriate communities, supported by global export agreements. In FY2024, T-Series reported of ₹1,565 , a 6.35% decline year-over-year, with music as the primary segment driven by a 35-40% in the Indian recorded music sector. Digital platforms account for the majority of , with ad contributing 60-70% as of 2024, reflecting the shift toward online consumption where digital accounts for 87% of industry income.

Soundtrack discography

T-Series' soundtrack discography encompasses a vast collection of film music, with the company's overall catalog exceeding 200,000 songs as of 2022, a substantial portion of which consists of soundtracks from Bollywood and regional cinema. The label has amassed thousands of tracks since the 1990s, focusing on original compositions for major productions while integrating acquired rights to bolster its library. Notable examples include the blockbuster hit "Tum Hi Ho" from the 2013 film Aashiqui 2, composed by Mithoon and sung by Arijit Singh, which became one of the most streamed Bollywood songs globally. Hindi film soundtracks dominate T-Series' output, representing the core of its music operations with an emphasis on Bollywood releases that blend contemporary pop elements, romantic ballads, and devotional tracks. T-Series holds a significant share, estimated at 35-40%, of the Indian music market, including a large portion of Hindi film soundtracks through both new productions and acquisitions. This includes original scores for films like Aashiqui series and acquired catalogs from partnerships, such as the 2008 deal securing A.R. Rahman's early works including soundtracks for Yuvvraaj, Ghajini, and Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Further expansion came via a 2009 strategic alliance with Reliance BIG Entertainment, granting co-ownership of Big Music's extensive Hindi and regional holdings, including 1990s A.R. Rahman compositions. In regional markets, T-Series has grown its soundtrack portfolio beyond Hindi cinema, particularly through post-2010s partnerships and dedicated distribution channels. For Kannada films, the label collaborates with regional players like Lahari Music via a 2015 strategic deal that enables marketing of Kannada soundtracks, including hits from Sandalwood productions. In Tamil and Telugu industries, acquisitions and rights deals have amplified its presence, such as the 2021 joint acquisition with Lahari Music of the RRR soundtrack rights for ₹25 crore, covering multilingual releases with compositions by M.M. Keeravani. Malayalam and Bengali soundtracks remain more limited but are expanding, with selective releases like dubbed or original regional tracks distributed through T-Series' platforms, reflecting a gradual push into these markets. Internationally, T-Series' soundtrack discography extends to and diaspora-oriented content, featuring upbeat bhangra-infused tracks from films like Nawabzaade (2018), alongside non-Indian collaborations in the . The label has facilitated projects, such as Guru Randhawa's 2019 track "Slowly Slowly" featuring American rapper Pitbull, which merged Punjabi rhythms with hip-hop for global appeal. More recent efforts include Guru Randhawa's 2025 collaboration with on the track "Vibe", highlighting T-Series' strategy to blend Indian film music with Western artists for broader international reach.

Film production

Key productions and collaborations

T-Series entered the realm of film production in the late 1980s, marking its debut with the release of Laal Dupatta Malmal Ka in 1989, a modest venture that laid the groundwork for its expansion beyond music labels. An early breakthrough came with the 1990 romantic drama Aashiqui, co-produced in collaboration with Bhatt Films, which became a commercial success and significantly elevated the company's standing in Bollywood by blending strong storytelling with chart-topping soundtracks. This period saw T-Series scaling up to more ambitious projects, including the 2007 horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa, directed by Priyadarshan and starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, which grossed over ₹115 crore worldwide and established the studio's knack for genre-blending entertainers. The company has forged key partnerships with prominent directors and production houses to amplify its output. Notable collaborations include multi-film deals with announced in 2021, involving an investment exceeding ₹1,000 for over 10 projects across genres, such as action thrillers and family dramas. Similarly, a 2022 alliance with Wakaoo Films aimed at joint productions of high-budget tentpoles, emphasizing diverse narratives from romance to suspense. These partnerships have enabled T-Series to co-produce hits like (2019) with Cine1 Studios, directed by and featuring , which explored intense romantic obsession and collected ₹379 globally, reinforcing the studio's focus on emotionally charged dramas. Entering the blockbuster era, T-Series has dominated with high-stakes action and romance films up to 2024. The 2023 release , also helmed by and starring , marked a pinnacle with its visceral narrative on familial bonds and revenge, amassing approximately ₹919 in worldwide gross and becoming one of the highest-earning films of the year. This success underscores T-Series' shift toward big-canvas productions in action genres, often co-developed with established banners to maximize reach and impact. By , the company has cumulatively produced over 100 films, sustaining an annual slate of 20-30 titles that prioritize high-budget with broad commercial appeal.

Recent and upcoming projects

In 2025, T-Series Films continued its momentum in Bollywood production with several high-profile releases, emphasizing sequels and genre-driven narratives. The comedy franchise Housefull 5, directed by and starring alongside , , and , premiered on June 6 as a murder mystery set on a luxury , marking the fifth installment in the long-running series co-produced with Sajid Nadiadwala's banner. The horror sequel Chhorii 2, helmed by Vishal Furia and featuring reprising her role as Sakshi, was released directly on Prime Video on April 11, delving deeper into themes of superstition and maternal resilience against a cult's rituals. Raid 2, a thriller directed by with returning as IRS officer Amay Patnaik opposite and , hit theaters on May 1, expanding the 2018 original's storyline to a new investigation in the 1990s. Co-produced with , it highlighted T-Series' focus on action-oriented content. Additionally, the anthology Metro... In Dino, directed by and starring , , , and , was released on July 4, exploring interconnected tales of modern relationships in urban , with post-theatrical streaming on . The action sequel Baaghi 4, starring and directed by A. under , arrived in theaters on September 5, continuing the vigilante saga with high-octane stunts. Ek Chatur Naar, a comedy- directed by and presented by T-Series with stars and , debuted on September 12, portraying a clever woman's schemes in a small-town setting. De De Pyaar De 2, the romantic comedy sequel directed by Anshul Sharma with , , and , was released theatrically on November 14, focusing on intergenerational romance and family dynamics, and crossed ₹20 crore on its second day. Looking ahead, T-Series has lined up ambitious projects for 2026 and beyond, building on its legacy of patriotic dramas. Border 2, a war film directed by Anurag Singh and co-produced with J.P. Films, features , , , and , set to release on January 22, 2026, as a to the 1997 hit that chronicles Indo-Pak border conflicts. This ensemble cast underscores T-Series' push toward pan-India appeal by incorporating Punjabi and talent. T-Series' recent output reflects a strategic shift toward sequel-heavy slates and cross-regional collaborations, with several 2025 films boasting budgets exceeding ₹100 to support star-driven spectacles and . The company has increasingly pursued co-productions and OTT partnerships, such as with for digital rights to titles like Metro... In Dino, enabling broader distribution and hybrid release models amid evolving viewer preferences.

Digital presence

YouTube channel growth

T-Series established its primary YouTube channel on March 13, 2006, though it did not begin regular video uploads until late 2010, initially focusing on Bollywood music videos and trailers. The channel's growth accelerated dramatically in the late 2010s amid India's booming internet and smartphone penetration, reaching 50 million subscribers by June 2018 and surging to 100 million by May 29, 2019, making it the first YouTube channel to achieve this milestone. This rapid expansion was fueled by consistent daily content releases and the viral popularity of Indian film soundtracks. In a high-profile "subscriber war" with creator during 2018–2019, T-Series overtook him to become YouTube's most-subscribed channel on April 14, 2019. It held the top spot for over five years, amassing 266 million subscribers and approximately 266 billion views by mid-2024. However, on June 2, 2024, surpassed T-Series with 267 million subscribers, ending its reign at number one. As of November 2025, T-Series' main channel boasts 307 million subscribers and over 319 billion total views, ranking it second overall while remaining the most-viewed channel on the platform. The company sustains this scale through daily uploads of , film promotions, and , often exceeding 2.5 billion monthly views. Its strategies emphasize free, accessible content that drives a substantial share of 's digital music consumption—historically capturing over 35% of the market—and extends global reach via English subtitles and multi-language accessibility features on key videos, attracting viewers beyond , including from the .

Other digital initiatives

T-Series has cultivated a robust strategy across platforms like and to foster fan interaction beyond video streaming. As of October 2025, the company amassed over 74 million followers across its channels, with the official page alone surpassing 63 million likes, where it regularly hosts live sessions, artist interviews, and glimpses into music production and film shoots. These efforts emphasize real-time engagement, such as live Q&A with musicians and promotional teasers, to build community and drive cross-platform traffic. To broaden its reach on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, T-Series secured key partnerships for distributing and films. In 2018, it inked a deal with , providing ad-free access to over 150,000 songs—including Bollywood soundtracks and —for Prime Music subscribers, enhancing bundled options. These collaborations allowed T-Series to bundle rights with video-on-demand services, optimizing revenue from both audio and visual assets. In 2024, T-Series introduced a strategic shift toward frequent content releases, announcing plans for multiple extended plays (EPs) and full albums each month across genres like Bollywood, regional, and pop to maintain momentum in a fast-paced digital market. This approach was tailored for short-form video consumption, incorporating formats like to boost virality and engagement on mobile-first platforms. For global expansion, T-Series leveraged by making its extensive library available ad-free, allowing subscribers to download and stream content offline, which supports international accessibility and generates additional revenue through watch-time shares. The company also pursued viral promotions via collaborations on platforms like , including a high-profile with Nepali artist Sushant K.C. in 2025 to localize content and amplify reach in South Asian and diaspora markets. In 2007, T-Series, through its parent company Super Cassettes Industries Limited, filed a lawsuit against Google and YouTube in the Delhi High Court, alleging copyright infringement due to unauthorized uploads of its music videos by users on the platform. The court granted an interim restraining order in November 2007, prohibiting YouTube from hosting T-Series content without permission. The case, initiated amid rising concerns over digital piracy in India, was settled out of court in 2011, resulting in a content partnership that allowed T-Series to officially upload and monetize its catalog on YouTube, marking an early shift toward collaborative digital distribution. Throughout the , T-Series pursued multiple suits against illegal download sites and individuals engaged in , contributing to the evolution of anti-piracy enforcement in . In , T-Series filed a leading to the of Sanjay Bapi Das in for operating an unauthorized downloading and distribution network of its music, under provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957; this action highlighted the company's aggressive stance against physical and digital bootlegging operations. Similar efforts included a 2010 case where executives of the search engine Guruji.com were arrested for facilitating access to pirated T-Series content, underscoring vulnerabilities in online indexing of illegal downloads. These prosecutions helped pave the way for India's pioneering anti-piracy injunctions, such as orders against unknown infringers, which gained traction in rulings during the decade to block rogue websites preemptively. In March 2025, T-Series issued a copyright notice to comedian , blocking the visibility of his stand-up special "Naya Bharat" for using a Bollywood song in a clip. Kamra claimed under Indian copyright law, criticizing T-Series for suppressing . In recent years, T-Series has faced disputes over rights, particularly in the digital streaming era. A notable case arose in late 2023 involving the blockbuster Animal, co-produced with Cine1 Studios; Cine1 filed a suit in the accusing T-Series of breaching a profit-sharing agreement that entitled Cine1 to 35% of revenues and co-ownership of rights, seeking to halt the 's OTT release on . The court issued summons to T-Series and in January 2024, but the parties settled out of court shortly thereafter, with T-Series agreeing to profit adjustments while retaining exclusive IP control, allowing the release to proceed on January 26, 2024. These legal battles have bolstered T-Series' strategies, including proactive monitoring and takedown mechanisms, as evidenced by court victories such as a 2018 Delhi district court award of Rs 40 in damages across two infringement cases against unauthorized broadcasters. A 2023 injunction further restrained Goldmines Telefilms from uploading songs from 14 T-Series-owned films to , reinforcing the company's control over its vast music and film library.

Artist and partnership conflicts

T-Series has faced several disputes with artists over royalty payments and contractual rights, particularly in the 2010s and extending into recent years. In 2014, actor publicly criticized T-Series for pressuring artists to assign their royalty rights in ways that allegedly violated the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, sparking support from musicians like , , and Vishal-Shekhar, who highlighted exploitative practices in music contracts. This incident underscored broader concerns in the industry about labels retaining disproportionate control over performers' and composers' earnings from sound recordings. Although no specific lawsuit involving composer Chakraborty and T-Series over royalties was documented, has been vocal about systemic issues like the lack of royalty concepts in Bollywood music deals during the 2000s and . In January 2025, singer hinted at a dispute with T-Series over issues that prevented him from releasing music videos independently or with other labels, stating "big people face big problems." The conflict was resolved by October 2025, allowing continued collaboration. In July 2025, filmmaker accused T-Series of underpaying for music rights in his films (2009), (2012), and Gulaal (2009), claiming the label prioritizes star value over music quality and paid "very less" for these soundtracks. More recently, singer accused T-Series chairman in 2020 of misusing his influence to harass singers and favor certain artists, leading to public backlash and calls for fairer treatment in the industry. In 2024, singer filed a suit against T-Series, lyricist Raj Ranjodh, and singer over the unauthorized use and alteration of her composition in the song "" from the film Khel Khel Mein, claiming breach of her and economic under the Act. The issued an interim order on August 28, 2024, requiring removal of the song from platforms. This case remains ongoing as of November 2025. This case highlighted ongoing tensions between independent artists and major labels regarding creative control and compensation. Most of these disputes have been resolved out of court or through settlements. Industry observers note it has prompted discussions on better contract transparency. On the partnership front, T-Series encountered a significant rights conflict in 2023 over the sequel Hera Pheri 3. The company announced the project as a co-producer with Firoz Nadiadwala's Base Industries Group, but Eros International issued a public notice asserting sole and exclusive intellectual property rights, citing unpaid dues of approximately ₹60 crore from prior deals involving the Hera Pheri franchise and related films like Welcome Back and Aawara Paagal Deewana 2. T-Series had also issued a notice warning against infringement, escalating the dispute and delaying production. The conflict stemmed from Nadiadwala's financial obligations to Eros, which impacted collaborative rights held by T-Series. For Hera Pheri 3, Nadiadwala settled his debts with Eros in September 2025, regaining full rights and clearing the path for T-Series to proceed with production. T-Series has maintained that it complies with statutory royalty obligations, emphasizing amicable resolutions to preserve relationships. No verified on long-term artist equity shares was implemented by T-Series as of November 2025.

References

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