So how are you finding New Zealand and is this your first visit here?
New Zealand is beautiful this is actually my second visit here. I was here last in November 2008 and loved it so much that I couldn’t wait to come back.

What projects have you been working on in the last little while?

Well, I’ve just finished remixes for Aa Dekhe Zara and Raaz in the beginning of 2009 and have a release coming out with Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani which Pritam (in coordination with Atif Aslam) has done the music for. I have just signed my biggest project of 2009 which is producing music for a movie.

You will be producing original music for an entire bollywood movie?
Yes, well I have produced original music before like one song for Nehle Pe Dehla but this will be my first movie where all the songs will be mine.

Are you bringing something different to the table with your background as a Club DJ?
Well frankly speaking and very honestly  because it’s my first movie I don’t want trial and error because if the music does well then it lays the foundation for the rest of my career. I won’t be experimenting too much and will compose simple, commercial music.

Who are your major influences when it comes to eastern and western music?
Well, from India I would have to say A.R. Rahman from the time that he did Roza. But I would have to say that the ones that I really admire and look up to at this time would be Vishal Shekhar. They always give you something to look forward to and have done fantastic work in movies like Cash, Golmaal and On Shanti Om.

What about western music?
Well, in western music I really like Timberland a lot. He has been a strong influence. Also Junior Jack and Paul Van Dyk have been major influences.

We have a lot of budding DJs in New Zealand and you might have heard that the Indian nightclub scene is booming here at the moment.
Yes....that’s why I’m here [laughs].

What advice would you have for these DJs who dream of scaling the heights that you have?
I would say get in to it for the reason I did and that was the love of music and to promote Indian music to the world. The name and the money comes along down the line as long as you do it for the right reasons. But if you get in to it for the name and fame then I don’t think you will go very far.

So what is the difference between DJ’ing and producing music?
When you’re producing music you’re sitting alone in a studio and doing what you think is best. Someone like a music director may come along and tell you to change things but that’s it. When you’re DJ’ing you can’t really do what you want it’s the audience who determine what to play, how and when to play it. You’re there to satisfy them. In the studio you can let your mind wander a little bit but not when you’re playing in a club.

Apart from New Zealand where else have you DJ’ed and you would you go if you had a chance?
Well...Dubai. I go there regularly, at least 8 times a year. 4 or 5 for commercial visits and another 4 or 5 to DJ at functions or nightclubs. I mean the Indian population is very strong and the nightlife is amazing they have so many nighclubs there and the crowds are huge. At New Year’s Eve 2007 I DJ’ed in Dubai and there must have been around 16,000 people at that function.

Thanks for your time. I wish you all the best in your future projects and look forward to hearing some unique sounds from you in the coming months.
Thank you, it has been a pleasure visiting New Zealand and I look forward to coming back again soon.