Archive · 18 Aug 2026
EPR Iyer Becomes Judge on MTV Hustle 5 Apna Homeground
EPR Iyer is a rapper and singer from Calcutta, a big city in India.
He has been part of a music TV show called MTV Hustle for five seasons.
Now, for the first time, he is a judge on the show.
This season is special because it celebrates the hometowns of the judges.
EPR's hometown is Calcutta, which he says is his 'soul'.
He grew up listening to Rabindrasangeet songs and was in a rock band called Underground Authority.
He thinks Bangla hip-hop music will become very popular in the next five years.
EPR chose to do a photo shoot at the Indian Coffee House, a place full of memories from his past.
He says he keeps coming back to Calcutta because he finds peace there.
EPR Iyer is stepping into the judge's chair for the first time on MTV Hustle 5 Apna Homeground after five seasons with the show.
The season celebrates the hometowns of its judges, and for EPR that hometown is Calcutta, the city he calls his 'soul'.
EPR grew up with Rabindrasangeet and was part of the Bangla rock band culture, including Underground Authority, before hip-hop gained momentum in Bengal.
He predicts that Bangla hip-hop will 'rule the scene' within the next five years.
EPR chose the Indian Coffee House in Calcutta for an exclusive shoot with t2, revisiting a place where he once spent time with friends.
- Who
- EPR Iyer, rapper and singer, now a judge on MTV Hustle 5 Apna Homeground.
- What
- EPR Iyer becomes a judge on MTV Hustle 5 Apna Homeground, a season celebrating judges' hometowns, and reflects on his deep connection to Calcutta.
- When
- August, during the MTV Hustle 5 season (the shoot took place on a sweltering August afternoon).
- Where
- Calcutta, India, including the Indian Coffee House.
- Why
- The season celebrates the hometowns of its judges, and Calcutta shaped EPR's identity as an artiste.
- Artiste
- EPR Iyer (rapper and singer)
- New role
- Judge on MTV Hustle 5 Apna Homeground (first time)
- Seasons with MTV Hustle
- Five
- Hometown
- Calcutta
- Former band
- Underground Authority
- Shoot venue
- Indian Coffee House, Calcutta
- Prediction
- Bangla hip-hop will rule the scene in five years
- Musical influences
- Rabindrasangeet and Bangla rock