The Rise of a DJ and Bollywood Music Producer
It was the late 90s—a time when cassettes were giving way to CDs, and the music scene in India was evolving rapidly. One evening, I found myself in a nightclub in Kolkata for the first time. There, I saw a man orchestrating a crowd of hundreds, making them groove to popular international tracks. I was mesmerized. It wasn’t just the music; it was the energy, the connection, and the sheer magic of the moment that captivated me.
When I returned home, I couldn't stop thinking about it. My curiosity led me to dive deep into understanding this art form. What made a DJ tick? How could someone control the vibe of an entire room through music? Driven by these questions, I began collecting songs—any genre, any language. In just a couple of months, I amassed a collection of over 2,000 tracks.
With this newfound passion, I approached a popular social club in Kolkata, asking for an opportunity to showcase my skills. To my surprise, they gave me a Saturday night slot. That evening turned out to be a game-changer. Over 200 people showed up, and by the end of the night, I was overwhelmed by their appreciation. That was the moment my journey as a DJ truly began.
The world of showbiz is not for the faint-hearted. The competition is fierce, and the path is anything but easy. Back then, things were different—there wasn’t much competition, and the internet and social media hadn’t taken over. Today, the landscape has changed drastically. Almost everyone claims to be a DJ, but what sets you apart is what you bring to the table.
I’ve always believed in experimenting with different genres, blending unique sounds, and creating an experience for the audience. My background as a music producer gives me an edge, but the early days came with their challenges. In the 2000s, we carried our entire music collection on CDs. For every gig, I lugged around 480 to 600 CDs—a physical and logistical nightmare.
Touring brought its own set of hurdles. Pre-COVID, I was constantly on the move, hopping from one city to another. In December, I played in extreme weather conditions—one day in a freezing northern city and the next in the scorching south. It took a toll on my health. Once, after traveling from Kochi to Chandigarh, I ended up in the hospital due to dehydration and fever. For touring DJs, rest and sleep are rare luxuries.
Despite the challenges, I’ve been fortunate to achieve several milestones in my career. In 2003, I secured 2nd runner-up in the Times War of DJs from the eastern zone. More recently, my song featured in the Bollywood film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, with Salman Khan and the cast tagging me in their stories—a surreal moment for me.
One of my proudest achievements is becoming the first DJ from India to produce a track with the legendary Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The song is set to release soon, marking another major step in my journey. Additionally, I’ve trained over 200 budding DJs across India and watched my remixes go viral on social media. Tracks like “Zindagi Ek Safar” and “Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein” have been used in millions of reels.
Last year, I ventured into Bollywood as a music producer with my debut song, “O Balle Balle,” for Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. This has fueled my ambition to make a lasting mark in the industry. My dream is to continue producing music for Bollywood, blending my DJing roots with my passion for original compositions.
Looking back, the journey has been anything but easy, but every late night, every challenge, and every beat has been worth it. Music is not just my profession; it’s my lifeline. And as I move forward, I hope to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter how tough the journey may seem.
For me, the music never stops—it evolves, just like life.