‘Now Delhiites party every night'

For a whole generation, DJ Aqeel opened up a new world where Bollywood music was cool. Now he looks to be hot even at 50, says Chahak Mittal

If deejaying is considered hot and happening among millennials today, we have got to thank Aqeel Ali, aka DJ Aqeel, who has reinterpreted around 200 Bollywood songs and pop music on the dance floor and changed the way cities look at nightlife.

In town for another gig, the man who recreated hits like Disco 82, Jaanu meri Jaan, Pyar Do Pyar Lo, Kehdoon Tumhein, Tu Tu Hai Wahi and an endless list of tracks, told us, “There were all kinds of music being played but I saw that nobody even considered Bollywood. It was sort of an urban untouchable. I have always been passionate about music and I knew that the melody of Bollywood should be brought alive among the youth. So I took upon the mission to make Bollywood music cool, remastering them and giving them a fresh feel.”

While the world was busy following professions that were more staid, Aqeel did make a career out of his passion and his favourite hobby. He proudly said, “I can say that I had fun at work. (Laughs). I am still as excited to play now as I was before.”

In this fast-paced world, not only people’s ideologies, passions, aims and aspirations have transformed, but also their ways. Aqeel narrated how music has evolved over the years, since the time he had begun. “My work has evolved a lot with  technology. Initially, we used to play on stereos, via DVDs, then came the CD players, computers, laptops and now the wireless speakers. We also didn’t have any sources, now we have a variety of TV channels as well as online channels like Youtube. The audience’s mind, IQ and expectations have also increased and they have much more music to play instead of only those 15-20 songs that people used to know earlier. Also, there are a number of genres on which different music has been made. Everything, including my work I feel, has evolved a lot,” he said.

For that matter, even the culture with night pubs and having late-night bashes didn’t exist, hence there weren’t any DJs. Explained he, “Night life, as it exists now, came into being only a few years ago. Today, every pub or a cafe has a DJ. Nowadays, there are a thousand bars which are hiring DJs everyday. There are a lot of jobs that have opened up for them. Also, when I started, people only used to go out on Fridays and Saturdays. Now people chill out after work almost everyday.”

He also highlighted how competition had made him more vigilant and innovative. “Back then I only played on certain days, mostly at big clubs, playgrounds and humongous spaces, which accommodated around 500-600 people. The biggest challenge today is that everybody hires a DJ for smaller spaces and wants one who is a guaranteed sellout. So one has to be sharp at one’s game,” said he.

As the DJ is all set to perform at JW Marriott, Aerocity, today, he hoped “it would be pretty much sold out.”

Changing the course of Indian music since 2000s, the revolutionary DJ still looks forward to the road ahead, “since age doesn’t matter.” He said, “I feel energised by my work and how I lead my life. I really feel inspired by DJs like David Guetta, Tiesto, they are over 50 years of age. Since I am in my 40s, I thought that by this age I’d stop (laughs) but I still look up to them. Just seeing them makes me go on.  Such a thing keeps you going no matter how old you are. They all look so slim, fit, smart. Now DJs have to dress well and look good to lighten up the mood of a party. I admire them for speaking well and being so representable.”