How did you become a DJ?
I used to be a glamor broadcast journalist when I was 15. I used to report on celebrity events, and frequently came across India’s pioneer DJs. Soon after this, my focus shifted from journalism to music and I took to DJ-ing.

We don’t see a lot of women DJs, particularly from India. Did you have a hard time getting people to take you seriously?
Well yes, at times people do underestimate my potential, my caliber, my talent and they do doubt the quality of my music. But it doesn’t matter to me, because every time I get to the DJ console, I nail it and change their preconceived notions about me.

Do you also balance school or other jobs with being a DJ?
Yes, I graduated last October from Mumbai University. It was fun to study on flights, land, and jet off to the examination hall from the airport. I remember doing this for all six exams I had to take—studying at the airport, on flights to Goa, Hyderabad, Mauritius, Spain, and at times I only had about 30 minutes to leave the examination hall and catch a flight for an upcoming gig. I don’t think much about my future. I’m always living in the present. I do my bit and leave the rest to my destiny.

What’s the clubbing scene like in Mumbai? What’s hot? What’s not?
Mumbai is very versatile in its taste for music. From high power trance to easygoing R&B to ambient lounge to thumping EDM to full power Bollywood to old school retro and Jazz, Mumbai has something to offer every soul. International biggies, pioneer DJs, legendary artists, swanky club decor, great sound and acoustics are hot. Shady clubs, cheesy sounds, and old school bar menus are not.

A young woman hitting the clubs for work sounds like a nightmare scenario for Asian parents.
It is. Initially, even trying to pursue spinning as a hobby was a big no-no. One fine day I stopped going to high school. I told them, “If no DJ-ing, then no studying.” That was the turning point in my life. Soon after they agreed to my terms and set their condition, which was, “If no graduation, then no DJ-ing!” When I began DJ-ing, my dad would drop me at a club, sit and watch my sets at times or at times he would just drop me off and come back to pick me up once I was done. Even now he always drops me off at the airport, no matter what the time is. My success would have been next to impossible without my parents’ help and support.

If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be?
If not a DJ, then I would have continued being a glamor broadcast journalist, reporting on celebrity events—or a painter, a crafter, a fashion designer, an interior decorator, or possibly even a wedding planner. Anything which involves creativity, where I can continue being my own boss.