Dubai, [U.A.E.], August 26, 2025: “Simbly South®️ was brought in to push South Indian music into the nightlife scene, which never existed before 2013,” says Jim Thomas, creator of Simbly South®️ — now recognized as one of Dubai’s most iconic nightlife destinations, where nightlife found a new beat.”
Back in 2013, Dubai’s nightlife was already thriving with international sounds and established desi scenes. Yet, Jim Thomas and Roshni Pillai, both born and raised in Abu Dhabi, saw what others overlooked: a vibrant South Indian community with no entertainment space reflecting their culture.
“There was a lot of stereotyping around South Indians either as a ‘Madrasi’ or ‘Mallu’ — and worse, around the music. When we first shared the idea, people laughed. To most, it meant only ‘Appadi Podu,’” recalls Roshni. “The first years were about breaking bias and reshaping perception.” Jim adds, “Even industry insiders dismissed it as just a phase.”
“Our intention was always to show the world we matter — that our music is pure joy, and that community thrives when people dance, celebrate, and connect together,” says Roshni. Countless stories of friendships, business partnerships, and even love blossoming within the Simbly South®️ community bear witness to that vision.
In 2018, their groundbreaking efforts were formally recognized at the Masala Awards, where the duo’s win shocked an industry that had once doubted them. This was a moment that crystallized their transformation from cultural outsiders to industry leaders. Even the challenges of Covid-19 could not diminish their resolve; instead, it fueled a reinvention of their brand, strengthening the community and deepening their contribution to Dubai’s weekend tourism economy, which they’ve championed for over a decade. This emergence from the pandemic, demonstrated their remarkable adaptive intelligence.
“We learnt a lot as a couple through this journey — about resilience, partnership, and what it really means to build something bigger than ourselves,” – Jim and Roshni.
They envisioned not just a party, but a movement — a redefinition of nightlife itself, for Indians as well as international tourists. The venue has hosted movie promotions, with over 300+ celebrity visits such as the famous Anirudh Ravichander, Soubin Shahir (acted in recent movie ‘Coolie’), Sarath Kumar, M. Sasikumar, Joju, Major Ravi, Tovino Thomas, Shine Tom, Anumol, Divya Pillai, Aditi Ravi and many more celebrities came together to witness heritage merging with contemporary sophistication and themed nights that feel more like cultural celebrations than typical club events.
Beyond the music, both are driven by compassion — supporting animal rescue initiatives and humanitarian causes worldwide. “Consistency is important. Success or failure isn’t a destination — it’s an ongoing feeling along the journey. Success means nothing if you’re not lifting others with you. – ” says Roshni.
Today, hosted at Level 34, Eve Penthouse & Lounge, Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Dubai, every Saturday, Simbly South® ️stands as the No.1 Pan- Indian nightlife experience in the world. Fans travel from the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the UK, USA, and beyond to witness the Simbly South®️experience.
“It’s always a wonderful sight to see people from different backgrounds to vibe as one for music,” says Jim Thomas.
Website: www.simblysouth.com
