Exclusive - Savan Kotecha brings his One Direction legacy to India with OutStation: 'India needs a teen pop economy'

Savan Kotecha

When you think of global pop music, few names carry as much weight as Savan Kotecha, the Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer behind hits for One Direction, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Ed Sheeran's 'Sapphire.'

Now, Savan is turning his focus to India’s non-film music scene, launching the country’s newest teen boyband, OutStation. He wants to create a homegrown pop culture phenomenon.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Savan Kotecha shared why he chose to launch OutStation in India.

"It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. After spending time in Mumbai and getting a feel for the non-film music scene, I knew the time was right, both for India and for me. I believe that for India to truly become a global music force, we need to build a teen pop economy, something that inspires young people to start early, dream big, and know it’s possible," he told us in this candid interview.

Backed by Visva Records and Universal Music India, OutStation is designed to capture the imagination of India’s Gen Z and Gen Alpha listeners.

Savan is known for spotting and grooming global talent, but selecting the five boys for OutStation was a deeply meticulous process.

“Talent, first and foremost, but also charisma, chemistry, and a real willingness to work hard. We wanted kids who weren’t just gifted but who had the drive and heart to build something meaningful together,” he explained.

Also Read: Exclusive - Mandala Murders' Vaani Kapoor recalls the struggle period: 'I gave myself 2 years to make it in Bollywood’

His vision for OutStation goes beyond music

“Our goal is to build a real fan base of young teens across India, to give them a group they can relate to, root for, and feel proud of. OutStation should feel like a reflection of India's youth: energetic, passionate, and full of potential," he says.

Although Savan has written chart-toppers for One Direction and The Weeknd, he states that the creative process for OutStation differs significantly.

"With OutStation, I’m relying heavily on India’s incredible songwriting talent. I want the music to feel Indian—not just in sound, but in spirit. This is their story, and it should be told through local voices.”

Savan says his goal is to blend Indian narratives with global pop appeal and create a sound that resonates both locally and internationally.

Savan Kotecha also spoke about how the talent discovery has changed since his early days on the reality show The X Factor.

“It takes much longer now to break an artist. Social media algorithms significantly influence the process of building awareness, marking a substantial shift in the industry. But some things haven't changed; fans still want stars to believe in, root for, and connect with in real life," said Savan.

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will be essential for OutStation to effectively reach young audiences.

Alongside OutStation, Savan Kotecha is also building the infrastructure for India’s pop ecosystem with his new publishing venture, Outwrite.

Also Read: Exclusive: PVR Inox eyes Tier-2 and regional expansion as cinema screens stagnate in India: Sanjeev Kumar Bijli

“I strongly believe that songwriters should own their copyrights. India can’t build a thriving pop scene without a strong publishing infrastructure, one where songwriters are paid fair royalties every time their music is streamed, played on the radio, or performed live,” he emphasised.

Redefining Success

After conquering global charts, Kotecha says his priorities have evolved and 'success for me is now helping push India's music scene.'

“Beyond a happy, healthy family, success for me now is about helping push India’s music scene forward. I want to see it recognized globally as the creative powerhouse it truly is. India is home to some of the world's most innovative and talented individuals, and it's time they take their place on the global stage, he stated.

With OutStation, Outwrite, and his mentorship, Savan Kotecha says he is building the foundation for India’s teen pop revolution.