You've created some very successful events in your career.
Could you tell us something more about your work? Coimbatore to Madurai and back to Mumbai. Apart from that, NH7 &
Sunburn will go on as usual.
I started on a small scale initially and then took on major public shows
from 2005. It has been 10 to 11 years of doing most of the big shows in the
country. In 2010, I did the Commonwealth Games opening and closing
and that put our company on the map, we got recognition and that's how
everything unfolded. I do all formats of jobs ranging from Tv, Sports,
EDM concerts etc. Even from a coke studio and MTV unplugged to IPL
opening ceremony to AR Rahman concerts to International artists. I
also do corporate related shows. We are not restricted to one genre. We
did the 1st edition of sunburn and have done 7 out of 9 editions. How do brands and gear make a difference in your Success
mantra?
How in your terms do you define success and creating new
benchmarks?
In India, people don't have a clue about technology unless they have
western exposure. We as a company succeed in giving service as well
as sound as it is in Western Europe or North America. Our concerts
are the same as you see abroad. Technology wise we have achieved
bringing western standards to India.
My success lies in the fact that I've been different. I was my own Guru/
headmaster. If anybody said “They say do this and that”, I'd question
that and ask “Who they?” Even audio wise I questioned people and
broke away from stereotype.
Professionally and personally one has to be the same. Even in audio,
if something wasn’t sounding right, I wouldn’t blame the musician or
the sound. Instead I would go behind the science and that was a good
learning.
What are your special plans for this year?
South Asia games happening soon is the next international event
that we're doing. It is happening in Guwahati and that is a challenge
because it's far and a nightmare logistically. In January end, I travelled
with AR Rahman for an India tour which in my opinion was nothing
short of the best that the country had seen in more than a decade.
The technology used for those shows were ahead of its time. We had
7 trucks of audio equipment being used traveling from Mumbai to
Brands are totally different from equipment. Brands are more of a
legacy and basically stand for promise of delivery. I work with brands
that have a legacy. I look at companies and invest in the ones that last
long and not go for the ones that have poor after sales and support. I
don't invest in a product just like that. I like the fact that some products
are costly and not available to everybody. If they were easily available,
then my competitors will have the same products. But even if they
did, which is the case with some products, service brings out the
uniqueness in us.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Passion! I was born to do this and knew that from day 1(Laughs). I
always knew I was going be a sound guy. It is really simple for me
and not complicated. I’m doing what I wanted to do and that kind of
satisfaction is beyond money. You can't draw parity. I’m going to be
in this mess for the next 20 years and going nowhere. The thing that is
unique about us is that we have defined everything about the business
and the whole idea behind what we do is about being different. It is the
uniqueness about the way we do stuff..
Tell us about your association with HARMAN.
It is basically a legacy brand like I mentioned earlier. We get great
service and support from them and I buy the best products available
in the market. It is complicated when u don't buy the right things.
It is exactly like a relationship when you don’t choose the right
person (Laughs). I like to keep it simple and buy what is best without
contemplation..
Your message to upcoming people in your fi