KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Indian music lovers and avid fans of Hindi movies have been getting their fill of their favorite songs and star trivia with the launch last Friday of the “Indian Hour” on 98.4 Myx FM.
Called “Masala,” the new program, launched for the very first time in Kuwait, features mainly music, some film news about the latest top three movies, and general entertainment news from the Indian movie industry as well.
“I don’t like the term ‘Bollywood’ coined by mostly those in the West in referring to the Indian movie industry; it doesn’t work with me and we don’t use the word and it’s been banned from the show,” says Adeeb Shuhaiber, the program’s creator.
In an exclusive interview with the Arab Times to discuss the concept of the new show and how he came up with “Masala” for the program’s name, he said that during brainstorming sessions, a lot of names were considered but they wanted something different that anyone could  understand and easily remember.
“We settled on ‘Masala’ as it is something that most in Kuwait are familiar with: spicy with a little mix of everything which is what the show is all about,” added Adeeb.
Discussing the new program, he said, “aside from the mainly upbeat music, and the occasional slow, love songs, we will put on a classic track every week, say, from movies of the 60s, 70s or 80s and chose a star of the week - celebrities, like an actor or actress, discuss some trivia about them and then play a song from that movie or a recent movie, whichever the case,” he went on. 
According to Adeeb, he had long wanted to do a project like “Masala” its launch last Friday was the realization of a dream.
“I know a lot about Indian movies so I don’t need to research a lot. I pick the tracks for the week and also pick a lot of mainly upbeat tracks that appeal to the young generation as well as people who usually tune in to this station nowadays, Indians and non-Indians alike, in Kuwait.
“I believe a lot of Indians have been waiting for something like this. In fact, we have been receiving a lot of requests even from Kuwaitis for more Indian music from the station, with Indian films now the fad and doing big time,” Adeeb continued.
According to him, Indian movies are such a big hit in Kuwait and a lot of those who go to cinemas to watch Indian movies are mostly Kuwaitis.
“The Indian culture is very rich and varied and its influence has spread a lot almost anywhere around the world. I think the show’s launch is just right and I feel privileged and honored to host the show which I have been wanting to do for a long time and which I am very passionate about. I hope it will succeed, what with the growing popularity of Indian music,” he concluded.
Tune in to “Masala” every Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on 98.4 Myx FM radio.