Zomato & Paal Dabba Turn Chennai’s Heat Into A Powerful New Anthem, ‘Veppam Is Our Weapon’

Mumbai, 23^rd August 2026: Zomato has joined forces with regional rap artist Paal Dabba for ‘Veppam Is Our Weapon’, a high-energy Chennai anthem inspired by the city’s unmistakable culture, resilience and everyday spirit. Launched on August 21, 2026, the music video transforms Chennai’s relationship with heat into a powerful creative statement. From scorching summers to fiery food and passionate energy, the anthem celebrates a city that does not simply endure the heat but thrives within it.

Rooted in Chennai’s streets, ‘Veppam Is Our Weapon’ draws heavily from local language, imagery and cultural references. Paal Dabba brings his own lived connection with the city into the song, using familiar slang and the rhythm of everyday Chennai life to shape its identity. According to the artist, the track feels less like a song created from the outside and more like something the city already carried within itself. That authentic perspective gives the Zomato anthem a strong local pulse while turning Chennai’s famous “heat” into a symbol of resilience and strength.

Watch the song here:

The campaign was developed through close collaboration between Zomato and Paal Dabba, covering both the writing and visual treatment of the project. “The inspiration for the anthem came straight off Chennai’s streets. I wanted the track to carry that same heat and rhythm, so a lot of the references and even the slang are things I’ve grown up hearing. It’s less a song I wrote and more a song this city already had in it, I just put it down on paper”, said Paal Dabba. Sahibjeet Singh Sawhney, Marketing head, Zomato said, “Heat is something every other city runs from, but Chennai runs on. Wherever, however or whenever it shows up – in the weather, in its passions, or in its spices, Chennai embraces it. This year, we are collaborating with Paal Dabba to celebrate the unique relationship the city enjoys with heat. Chennai doesn’t just endure heat, it thrives on it – and this track is a celebration of that”.

With ‘Veppam Is Our Weapon’, Zomato and Paal Dabba demonstrate how music can become a powerful language for brand storytelling and regional culture. The anthem places Chennai at the heart of the creative narrative, combining hip-hop, local references and a visually rooted city experience. At a time when brands are increasingly collaborating with independent artists to create culturally relevant campaigns, this release stands out for making authenticity its central strength. For Chennai, the message is clear: the heat is not a challenge to escape; it is part of what powers the city.