The face behind the console

The face behind the console
DJ Khushi Soni talks about the industry today, being SRK’s official DJ, and the distinction of being the only one to have remixed for AR Rahman

The easy availability and affordability of DSLRs has democratised photography, but has also meant that every kid with a camera now calls him/herself a photographer. A look at the nightlife roster of the city’s clubs and bars, and you can tell that something similar seems to happening to DJing too. Not so for DJ Khushi Soni, however, who got into the profession because it was an excuse for him to go partying (which his folks wouldn’t allow otherwise), and made him money. Today, the 28-year-old is the official DJ for Shah Rukh Khan’s official and private parties. The king of the dance floor, aptly, plays for King Khan.

“Today, if you don’t have a job, the easiest profession to pick up is DJing,” he says. There are many DJs who are in it just for the heck of it, he adds. “Some hail from super rich families, pull some strings and earn easy fame while the others have to build their way up slowly.” He could be talking about himself. “When I started DJing in 2004 there was no Facebook, Instagram or Twitter where I could just make a fan page and call myself a DJ. The only way to make a name for yourself was to be good at your job and that’s what I concentrated on.” The clubs were limited and so were the opportunities. “That was when DJing was not just using software to mix your music.” says Soni. He also trained under DJ Rummy, who was also training 30 others, and added to his skills.

Today, after almost a decade of practising and playing, his hard work has paid off, with a resume that many DJs would kill for. Besides being SRK’s official DJ, he has worked on more than a dozen Bollywood remixes for songs from movies such as Ra One, Desi Boyz, Agneepath etc. He also holds the distinction of being the only DJ to have worked with AR Rahman, apart from having played at awards functions such as TOIFA, Filmfare and Stardust. He has also played at private parties hosted by bigwigs such as Lakshmi Mittal, Anil Ambani and the Goenkas among others.

It’s not as easy as it looks, he says. DJs need to keep themselves updated about the latest chartbusters and floor burners, which is harder now because with access to new music becoming easier and faster with the technology boom, the crowd is more informed. “If you can’t read their mood or mind, which is what DJing is all about, then you disappear from the scene in no time,” he explains.

Speaking about remixing for AR Rahman, Soni says, “I remixed the song Hosanna from the movie Ek Deewana Tha. It was special because it was the first track Rahman Sir ever allowed to remix. He isn’t a big fan of remixes but I’m happy he was open to the idea for once.” He made a demo CD and sent it across, which Rahman loved. That’s how the first remix happened. “He has immense respect for people associated with music.”

SRK, he says, even comes up to the console to play if he’s in the mood. “When he did that in Delhi once, the crowd went mad. His presence at the console is amazing, while I’m there to make sure technically it all goes well,” says Soni. His association with the actor began after the latter selected his remix of Chammak Challo from hundreds of others. They laugh about how other DJs promote their parties as official without knowing that it can get them sued.

Next, Delhi boy Soni wants to raise the bar for DJing in India, with plans to collaborate with David Guetta and Rihanna this year. Well, it is time India went international with DJing.

Working with SRK

“He is very down to earth and understands music like no other film star. I even made him dance on Salman Khan’s Dhinka Chika and he did some great moves. He is pretty flexible to work with as he doesn’t interfere too much as long as the end product is perfect.”


A-list parties

“Some people can party for 12 hours at a stretch, sometimes up to 4 in the morning but they will still be at their swanky offices at 9 am. The music requested varies, with some wanting only Bollywood, while others want anything but. The weirdest request I ever received at one such party was from a drunk emotional woman who wanted me to play a bhajan. I refused, and I can’t tell you who she was,” he says with a laugh.