‘People have realised how DJs are the key to the nightlife vibe’
DJ Sumit Sethi opens up about paving his way to commercial success, blending genres and his fave star-struck moment
The music scene in India is only peaking, and the DJs who are riding this wave are learning to navigate through evolving music trends, both at home and abroad.
The DJ, who has played for cricketers and Bollywood celebs, Sumit Sethi started from the ground up, never expecting his passion for music to become his core profession. Reflecting on the beginning of his journey, Sethi shares, “I started [DJing] at the age of 16. Initially, my parents were hesitant about my career choice. But as they saw my dedication and the growing popularity, they realised I had a spark. I still don’t know how and when I got popular.”
Talking about some of his happening gigs, he shares, “I’ve played at weddings for cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. I also had the chance to play for comedian Kapil Sharma among others.”
During these gigs, he also had a fair share of his own star-struck moments. Recalling an unforgettable memory that made him sweat in a good way, he shares, “Meeting Salman Khan (actor) was amazing. While I have played at events where Salman bhai was there or on stage, the in-person encounter made me shiver,” adding, “Luckily, Mika Singh was also there to break the ice. It was an amazing experience to share the stage with those two legends,” he wraps up. Sethi also busts some myths regarding DJing, he shares, “Initially, people used to believe that one should think twice before considering DJing as a profession. But now, it has gained acceptance as a serious and mainstream profession,” adding, “DJing is huge now. Back in the day, there weren’t any awards or anything like that [for this field].” He continues, “People realised that DJs are the ones who create the vibe, night after night. It’s actually like having a family doctor — nowadays, people have their go-to DJs, as they would have doctors” (laughs).
Sharing his experience in the nightlife scene, Sethi believes in blending genres, carrying audiences on waves of trending lyrics, and tapping into the energy of party-goers to keep them on their feet. “As a commercial DJ specialising in Bollywood, I cater to a wide range of tastes. However, I can mix and scratch any genre,” he explains.
Having a favourite a DJ is like having — family doctor have nowadays, people as they their go-to DJs, would have doctors. SUMIT SETHI, DJ