Life always finds a way to put you in a place where you can be the best version of yourself, and this is what happened with DJ Akhtar. Born and raised in Mumbai, he was looking forward to making a successful career in software engineering. Akhtar was in 10th standard when he took a DJ job just as a side job to pay for his educational expenses. Who knew that the side job would turn into a glorifying career of 30 years?
The Beginning Came from Utter Non-existence
DJ Akhtar wanted to pick a side job to support his teacher mother so that he could cover his educational expenses all by himself. He started his first job as a DJ in the late 80s when he was in 10th class, and people didn’t even know the meaning of ‘Disc Jockey’. The whole city had like 3-4 nightclubs, and entry in those clubs was a huge deal.
Well, the first job went great, and he kept taking up DJ assignments one after one, along with continuing his studies. He managed to get an MBA degree and became a well-known name in this arena. But it wasn’t quite easy because some of his relatives made fun of his work. They even questioned his career choices and called him the ‘Banjo Boya’. DJ Akhtar was determined to ignore such demotivating remarks and move on to his gradual progress.
A Staircase of Great Associations and Achievements
When DJ Akhtar entered this profession, there was no such thing as occupational marketing. Word of mouth was the only way to get recognized and attract more clients and assignments. He put all his energy into his work, and that’s how he established himself as a reliable artist in the industry.
DJ Akhtar got the chance to play in ‘The 1900s Club’, which was an extremely exclusive members-only club in Mumbai. Besides, the Taj Mahal Palace has always been an attraction for most people, and this is how he got the chance to meet some of the most prestigious personalities of our country. He was a part of the club during Michael Jackson’s visit to India. He was appointed as the resident DJ in hotel Taj for 16 years and then was promoted as the director of the event committee of the hotel.He also reminisces his longest association with Times of India that lasted for 23 years. Apart from all the parties and events hosted by the Times of India, DJ Akhtar also covers the Page 3 anniversaries of the publishing house every single year. His DJ talent has also been a constant presence in various parties and events of channel Zoom for the last 16 years. His charismatic DJ skills have also been a part of Asia’s largest water parks EsseL World and the Water Kingdom, for 24 years.
Transition Brings Variety
In his closing message, DJ Akhtar expresses the significance of embracing the transitions that come across your path. He grew up listening to music from the 80s and 90s. He was already working as a DJ when Pop music made an entry into the Indian music industry. This level of exposure helped him understand the taste of music lovers, and this is how he managed to set a professional milestone.
DJ Akhtar has more than 70 thousand followers on Instagram, and he owns a DJ company where he offers opportunities to fresh talents and always inspires them to be different from the rest.
Akhtar’s Achievements
With his career spanning over 3 decades he is still regarded as amongst the top 3 djs in India and has an official equal ranking in Asia as well.
He is considered to be the most busiest Dj in India with almost 5 gigs every week spanning across pan India , in Asia and trotting the entire globe spinning at Indian weddings , popular Indian Festivals and corporate events .
He won the National award ( the highest honour awarded to any individual with a standing ovation amongst several hoteliers, nightclub owners, dignitaries, and socialites ) in August 2018 . This award was given to him for his outstanding achievement in the night life and music industry by INCA the “ Indian Nightlife Convention and awards” hosted in Delhi . The same was endorsed by video selfies sent in by the biggest stars of the Bollywood film and music industry .
He received the Best Dj in the country ( Bollywood ) by Delhities Magazine for 2019.
He won the best dj of Asia #15 all Asia #1 Mumbai and #2 India for 2020 at the EDM DROID Asia awards.
Headed the power list and Awarded “The Legend” title for the Loofre India Dj Power List of 2019 and 2020 consecutively.
He won the No. 1 Dj in India in the Top 25 DJ’s of the World – Edm Droid poll in 2018.
And No. 7 on the Asian Top 20 Djs of the world in 2018 . He also happens to be the only Indian Dj to ever qualify on this poll. In 2018 he also took no. 17 position on top 20 Asia Djs 2018 in EDM Asia poll.
He’s the only Dj to perform at all the functions of the famous Nick Jonas & Priyanka Chopra wedding .In the summer of 2013 he was invited to Los Angeles where he performed for the likes of Kim Kardashian , Paris Hilton , Donald Trump etc at a private event held at “The Beverly Hills Hotel ” . This was a an exclusive red carpet event. He was the only Dj head lining the entire event.
The only Indian Dj to perform at the Cannes Film Festival in France 7 years in a row ( 4 years for the Times of India and 2 years for Zee )The only Dj to be part of the Zoom TV Holi bashes and The Times of India MD’s private event simultaneously from the past 16 consecutive years in a row .The only Dj to perform at the famous Bombay Times
Anniversary Bash 24 years in a row. Only Dj to have performed 23 years in a row at the Water Kingdom and Essel world Anniversary events .He’s the most preferred Dj at the famous Goa fest right from it’s first year of initiation to date . He performs there for the after parties of Times of India , Romedy Now , Zoom and Disney.One of the rare Indian DJ’s to have featured on the cover of the famous DJ Mag international worldwide twice .He manages artists and djs across the country , Asia , in Dubai, Moscow , Europe and the US too. He handles over 60% of the night clubs , Bars and Lounges in Mumbai and provides resident DJ’s + helps program artists for them too. He has a monopoly in all the 5 stars .
He has a ton of concepts and IP’s and manages these himself which include :
1. AAA ( 3 aces ) comprising of Dj Aqeel , Akbar Sami + Dj Akhtar
2. Double Dholki : hip hop blended with Bollywood featuring Dj Clement + Dj Akhtar + 2 Dholi’s.
3. Jai Veeru : A story about friendship and brother hood featuring Akbar Sami + Dj Akhtar
4. Ghungroo nites : exlclusive Bollywood electronica featuring Dj Lloyd the Bombay Bounce + Dj Akhtar + a model host .
5. Paisa Vasool : outright commercial and Bollywood music featuring Ali Merchant and Dj Akhtar .
6 .A/S Acoustic Syndrome : DJ Suketu & DJ Akhtar unleash the best of both Bollywood and Club anthems.
There are many more such IP’s where he jams up with precussionists & live musicians , dancers etc .He has performed for a host of Hollywood and almost all the Bollywood celebrities and most of them have endorsed him and congratulated him on video . Some of these videos have been posted on his Instagram handle .
He is also a part of brand “ Yo Yo Honey Singh “. He was the official Dj for Honey Singh’s band and he travelled with them for their tours and shows whenever possible.
He also managed Yo Yo Honey Singh exclusively for his first & most successful tour of the US.
He is a Brand Ambassador in India for the international head phone company V- MODA endorsed by the likes of Avichi , David Guetta etc worldwide.
A few of his corporate clients include :
1. Vodafone
2. HDFC
3. ICICI bank
4. TCS & Citibank
5. Raymond
6. Reliance industries
7. PVR
8. Hero Honda
9. Times of India
10. Disney India
11. Lakme
12. Guess
13. Tumi
14. Chopard
15. BMW
16. Audi
17. Rolls Royce ( Navnit )
18. Kingfisher
19. Absolut
20. Moët Chandon
21. Zoom Tv
22. Zee Tv
23. Omega
24. Baume & Mercier
24. Jindal group
25. Tata Steel & Tata motors
26. Diageo 27. Heineken previous Kingfisher
28. Dom Perignon
29. Google
30. Airtel
31. 20th Century Fox
32. Amazon
33. Hindustan Petroleum
34. Indian hotels company ltd
35. Tata group
And many more…..
