1. Architect –> RJ –> VJ –> DJ, what’s making you move on like this ?
I’me a very perfect example of the youth of today , I have a very short attention span. So, I get pretty bored of things really quickly, as a result of which I always want to try out 20 different things at the same time. I have just been lucky to be able to do those 20 different things at the same time and they have all kinda worked.
While I was studying Architechture , I did not really attend college , I was in this college where you went when you went , and at the end of the year , you somehow clear your papers. So , because we used to spend so much time in the canteen eating idlis’ , it gave us the time to do theatre , radio jockeying and thigs like that.
2. How has the life been ? From an architect to a VJ.. You are a celebrity now ! How would you rate the ride ?
It was super fun. A few days ago , I was called by my school , and the school alumni presented me the “Young Achiever” award. When people look at my life , they see the achievements.. But for me, It has always been about having fun . ! I twwet saying “Ime in Pune , Bangalore ,Kochi…” .. and people respond saying ” Whoa man..! I wish I had your lifestyle ! , I would kill millions to have your lifestyle ” . For me , its just that I like having fun and this is what I wanna do.. If I could actually squeeze in a party in the morning , another one in the aftrenoon and another one in the night , I would do that..!
I have this really interesting philosophy , “ If it feels good , Overdo it..!! ” I wouldn’t really recommend it , but it seems to really work with me.
3. Was this the same reason why you decided not to pursue architechture ?
There was no plan. ! I did not attend college for the 1st two years , somehow managed to clear my 1st 2 years papers. As a matter of fact , in my second year , we had 6 papers. and the pass mark was 35 . I ended up getting five 35s and one 36..! Yes..! I scraped through..! In our third year , we had 17 papers , and I completed the entire syllabus in 3 months. Thats when I started to get serious about my studies. ! In the fourth year , I topped my university in Design..! and the 5th year was when I started to get lazy again. We had to do a thesis . Instead of completing the thing in 1 year , I took a year off , hung out with my girl friend, I did radio , I did all kinds of things , while my parents were asking me why I didn’t write my exams.! And I would be like , weel do it the next year..!!
So I finally thought that I have to get the thesis out of my way.. and there are more things I want to do with my life . I wanted to join a worldwide chain of resorts called ClubMed , . They were recruiting in India , and the idea was to join them as a Bartender and travel the world with them . My dad is in the Army, so we never really had the money to spend on a lavish holiday .! I thought I want to see the world , and Ile do it through a company. ! So , while I was working on my thesis , I thought , If Broacha can do it , So can I. Broacha actually changed things for a lot of us. Before him , there were people like Danny McGill and Kamal Sidhu and Rahul Khanna , these are all very aspirational people. ! they always wore designer clothes and always looked certain way . ! And then Broacha was there , in his shorts and t-shirt , cracking jokes . It was fun.
I auditioned for the VJ hunt , didn’t really expect to win , because everybody else who was auditioning was either a model or, already a mini celebrity from Bombay . And I was the only kid from Bangalore , who loved dancing , loved music and cracked a lot of stupid jokes which no1 really understood , and I guess that was what they were looking for at that time. !
I think a lot of people after Broacha and me , looked at us and said ”If they can do it , we can do it as well..! “. and thats how the whole concept of VJing in India changed.!
4. How was the transition from being a RJ to a VJ.. Thats when you get a face..! How did it change your life ?
Like I said , its just hit me now , the school giving me an award and all . It didn’t really strike me as being anything unusual . I was doing something on Radio , and then I moved to Bombay , did something on Television. I really didn’t think too much about it . ! Its part of the reason why I have been able to do relatively well with live audiences . Ime a very stupid person , and I say this with all sincerity. Ime so stupid that I dont realise that there is something to be really frightened of , like talking in front of people. I dont realise that it should be scary.
5. How did things happen with Pearl ? How did you guys meet ?
We met throught some mutual friends in Delhi . And Pearl was based half in India , half in Amsterdam , and she was picking up DJing . and we spent time talking and talking. I even remember this time when I called one of my friends and said “Dude , I met this girl.! ” and he was like “Yeah ryte.! “.. So, thats how it all started..!
6. Being a famous personality and a public favourite , you must be used to the controversies and dodgin them , How do you handle them ?
Actually , I have just gotten used to it ., this whole thing that happened on SplitsVilla has made me realise that there are people out there who are really weird . You just get a flavour of how they are what they would do to draw attention to themselves . Its a little bit bizzare , because I have always had attention directed on me , thats not because I wanted it , but because I have this lifestyle where I really dont care and always want to have fun. Theres a bunch of people who would go to any extend to be able to say “I need to be in the media! ” .
When the first call came in from a Journalist , I was like ” I kinda know what Michael Jackson must have felt like.! “. The whole Splitsvilla issue actually turned out to be a very bizzare thing and I was forced to sit down for half a day , take each one of the allegations and reply to them on my FaceBook Blog.
Now , I have gotten a little bit aware of how bizarre things can be . Its forced me to look at people differently. I have always lived the life of a teenager , and this is definitely not going to change the way I live , but its going to make me think a little more about the people I hang out with. !
7. As a permanent career choice , which would you prefer ( Architect / RJ / VJ /DJ ) ?
I think I would go for being an RJ. Thats still my first love , I dream of starting a new radio station of my own at some point in life..!! Radio is such a wonderful medium..its so much fun.! Its so addictive ..! It consumes ones life in such a positive manner. I would recommend it to anybody.! I have never met a single person who works in a radio and who has told me that they dont enjoy their job..!
8. How did the name Flavour Boy come up ?
I dont know..! Well , how did the name Submerge come up ? Its just happened when we did not have a name for our party. Lets call it Submerge ?? Okay , Lets call it Submerge..!!
9. Can you shed some light on the birth of Submerge ?
It came out of frustration.! When the first Submerge party happened , we just called a group of friends , about 40 people and by 3 nights , we were up to 600-700 people..!! We did not really know that there were lots of people fedup with the scene in India , with the same remixes , the same Bollywood songs . We all wanted something where we could go and listen to music that we enjoyed . That is how sumberge came about , and it just spread like wild fier.
The two rules that we made in Submerge was that nobody was allowed to tell the DJ what music to play . We also encouraged the DJs not to use the microphone. The music should do the communication.! So we cut out all the “Cmon Baby..Shake It. Yey..yay..” crap !!
10. Being a DJ , you have a very tight schedule. Have you ever thought that because of the busy schedule , it is loosing its pleasure charm ?
Yes.! It does get tiring at times , like when yu have 2 nites of long sets .! But it never gets boring.!! Never..!! Its just that , sometimes I wished I had more energy..!
11 . You have been quite a few times to Kochi now.! What do you think about the city and its people ?
The people from cities with a smaller Clubbing comunity tend to be a lot more loyal and a lot more passionate about their music and that’s always fantastic for the DJ.! The reason why people become DJs is that music excites them to a level that they want to share it with other people . Its always good to be in cities like Kochi and Pune , because the enthusiasm is there , its like naked enthusiasm and naked energy . People in the south are a lot more intellectual and open to new ideas .
12. Your favourite club ?
Pacha Ibiza . It has a main dancefloor that hold about 2000 people. Theyve got a second dance floor , a terrace , a baby funky room. , the outsied restaurant room.. Its just insane.. ! The place is just so beautiful , beautiful decorations, awesome sound system.! I was lucky enough to be in DJ console because Pearl was playing there last year.! We became really good friends with the security at the DJ concert , because he was in Goa for Submerge..!
13. Your favourite DJ ?? apart from Pearl.. ?
DJ John DigWeed . He turns the music sensational. Its the transition, the flow , the entire journey that he creates which is so awesome about him .. !!! He is the only DJ I know , who does not look at the crowd , no smiles..!! He just stands there , plays his music and makes sure that the crowd has fun ! . If I had to pick an Indian DJ , I think we’ve got a bunch of them . for eg , Pearl , she knows what music to play when . That is what makes a good DJ..! DJ Tuhin Mehta , DJ Sanjay Dutta , DJ Nawed .! are excellent DJs as well.. !
14. Theres a part of the the society that considers Partying as taboo.. Whats your message to them ?
Partying is possibly the most positive thing that you can do with your time . It helps you unwind , it helps you relax. It helps you connect with people , It helps you make new friends..! Ofcourse there are aspects of partying that the scoiety might frown upon , the alcohol , the smoking , or the drink driving for that matter .
Its all about knowing yourself , knowing your limits , being responsible , and respecting the people around you . Partying is not just about getting sloshed , and uploading party pics of FaceBook.. I dont subscribe to that idea..!
Questions from readers of KochiVibe
1. Rajmohan: We saw you on the Silver Screen for Snip.. Can we expect to see more of you in films ?
Hey Rajmohan, I just read this amazing script in which I play the role of a police man. As of now , I have date problems . I am a person who is happy with my music , but when something comes along , I dont miss it.!
2. Zuhair: It was a huge disappoinment when you were not on the judges panel for Roadies 6.. Can we expect you on Roadies 7 ?
Yes Zuhair, I am back on Roadies 7..! A lot of things have been changed regarding the selection process.. You will soon find out about it.!
