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How I create Bollywood moments

Beatz Jaswani, aka Beatz began DJing at the age of 13, profoundly influenced by the effects of sound on people. Captivated by how DJs could generate positive energy and evoke feelings of joy and ecstasy, he says his two-decade journey in the world of DJing has been “akin to a hit song, featuring emotional verses interspersed with euphoric drops, creating a beautiful blend of bliss and fulfillment”. Excerpts from an interview:

Creating the perfect wedding playlist requires understanding the mood and energy of the crowd. How do you read the room at any event?

Understanding the mood and energy of the crowd comes from experience, and by trial and error over the years. These experiences allow you to create a memorable experience for the audience. That said, there is no “perfect wedding playlist.” It’s your musical knowledge, combined with the brief provided by the couple and your performance experience.

Weddings often have diverse guests. How do you balance personalizing the playlist for the couple while also keeping all the guests entertained?

This is true, and the secret is very simple: research. The rule of thumb I follow is to spend time with the couple, planner, and family to understand their vision, tastes, likes, dislikes, and absolutely non-negotiable choices in music. At certain occasions, families may express concerns about VIP guests who require special attention. For instance, I was signed up for a Gujarati wedding where the guest list included some UAE and Saudi nationals.

The family requested that I include Arabic or Khaleeji music during the event. Clear communication and a thorough understanding of their requirements helped make the event a top notch one. Another tip is to be open to accepting some song requests from guests during the event.

Mixing music seamlessly is an art. Can you walk us through the process of creating a smooth and engaging flow of music, especially during the high-energy moments of a wedding reception?

To create a smooth and engaging flow - a fundamental skill every DJ must possess- I adhere to three basic principles: Invite, Retain, and Elevate. "Invite" refers to encouraging the audience to join the dance floor, crucial as it marks the beginning of the celebrations. "Retain" involves keeping the audience already on the dance floor engaged while drawing in those who are wallflowers. Finally, "Elevate" comes into play when the dance floor is packed and guests are enjoying themselves. At this point, I strive to introduce something unexpected to elevate the energy, creating dynamic and unforgettable moments throughout my performance.

How do you craft the perfect soundtrack for emotional moments?

My method for crafting what I call a “Bollywood moment” involves understanding and aligning with the couple's vision. During the research phase, I meet with the couple to discuss their envisioned moments for the wedding, such as entrances and pheras. I encourage them to articulate their feelings, visions, and the songs that resonate with those emotions, which helps us create a roadmap together. Brides often excel at this because they have a clear idea of what they want, while I assist grooms in selecting songs that align with their vision. This extra effort allows me to create the perfect “Bollywood moment” for my clients, capturing not only the event on film but also in their hearts.

With weddings sometimes lasting hours, how do you maintain the energy and keep the music fresh without letting the momentum die down?

This is a tough challenge, but it encompasses everything I’ve mentioned. Performing for extended durations requires mental endurance and genuine passion for your work. If you truly enjoy playing music, those long hours won’t matter. My longest session to date for a wedding started at 9 PM and ended at 2 PM the next day. Time flew by in the blink of an eye because I was enjoying it.

What are some must-have songs or genres in a wedding playlist, and how do you incorporate current trends while maintaining a timeless feel?

In today’s globalised world, it’s crucial for any DJ to have a foundational knowledge of all musical genres. Understanding mixing techniques for specific genres or blending different styles is essential. Given that weddings are a global phenomenon, this skill proves invaluable when catering to a diverse audience. Essential genres for any wedding include tracks from the 2000s, '90s, '80s, Afrobeats, techno, hip-hop, Punjabi, and Bollywood. The true secret lies in how well you mix these elements together.

"I believe in bringing a personal connection to the event"

A Dubai-based Indian TV anchor, emcee, actor, model, Priya Jethani is well known as the host of Zee Connect on Zee TV Middle East. Named Best Wedding Emcee by WeddingSutra, she has hosted over 300 weddings, private events, social gatherings, and gala dinners. Known for bringing a lively yet professional flair to each occasion, she ensures the audience is kept engaged and entertained, making the event one to remember for all the guests.

"Weddings," she says, "are my most favourite events to host. My role is to engage with the guests making sure they are entertained, along with ensuring the sequence of events flow in the way they have been planned. It takes teamwork and coordination between me, the families, the planner, and other artistes to put on a good show."

Excerpts from an interview:

Every wedding has its own unique vibe. What’s your process for getting to know the couple and understanding their style so you can personalise your approach to hosting their big day?

I strongly believe in bringing a personal connection to anevent; so the guests are comfortable having me around rather than seeing me as a professional emcee. This is why I try to gather as much information about the bride, groom and the home well in advance to make the wedding I host be one that is memorable for all.

A lot of homework goes into making an event a success. I do multiple zoom calls and meetings with the bride/groom/families to find out the couple’s story in depth and details of close family and friends, among other things.

I also have them put down information on a document and share with me so this can be used at multiple points on the big day.

On my part, I work hard to establish a warm connection with families, personalizing thee vent to reflect their values and traditions. I make it a point to engage with guests through interactive segments, fostering a sense of community and celebration.

This includes skillfully sharing heartfelt stories and anecdotes, enhancing the emotional experience of the event; coordinating seamlessly with vendors and planners to ensure a smooth flow of activities; and keeping the audience entertained and informed, making each moment special and memorable.

Weddings can sometimes be unpredictable. How do you handle unexpected moments or changes in the schedule while keeping the guests entertained and the event on track?

More often than not a wedding event flow does not begin as per planned time because of its informal nature. We have to ensure the room is filled with maximum guests and the bride and groom are ready to make their grand entry - but both these elements are seldom on schedule. Hence I always have interactions and activities planned for such situations and this is managed with the planner who also ensures to keep music and other artist performances prepared to deal with delays.

Engaging a diverse audience, from family elders to younger guests, is key for a successful wedding. How do you read the room and adjust your tone or approach to connect with different parts of the crowd?

This again requires a little prep before hand to understand what kind of audience I will be facing. I get the information about nationalities, age groups and the language most are comfortable understanding, and accordingly plan my interactions. Of course I can only read the room better once I am at the event and there’s always some tweaking to be done on ground to the way I interact and have people participate in activities. For instance, there was once an Indian couple from the US who were getting married in Dubai.

A huge section of the guests were their friends from the States who were not aware about a lot of rituals and ceremonies of Indian weddings. So at every point I had to ensure that I explain every aspect of the ceremony/event like the Sangeet or the Pheras. This meant they enjoyed the wedding a lot more and also felt included in all the rituals and ceremonies.

‘It’s about balancing personal touches with creating a vibe that resonates with everyone’

Well-known Indian singer and performer Bismil, the voice behind Bismil Ki Mehfil, explains how he tailors his Sufi music and performance perfectly to suit weddings.

Excerpts from an interview:

Tell us a little about you and how it came about. What have been some of your career highlights?

I’m Bismil, a prominent Indian singer and performer known for my soulful Sufi renditions and modern interpretations of classic music. My journey began with a deep connection to Sufi music, which transcends boundaries and touches the soul. I wanted to bring that energy to my own performances, leading to the birth of my signature style— a fusion of traditional Sufi music with contemporary soundscapes.

With over 200,000 attendees across three tours in India and 100 million digital views, my music resonates with a wide audience. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive international acclaim through two successful tours in the US and Canada, including a memorable feature on Times Square.

I am the voice of "Bismil Ki Mehfil," a signature concept that captivates audiences globally with my mesmerizing voice and innovative performances. On stage, I’m accompanied by 13 talented band members, each contributing to the unforgettable experience we create together.

Some of my career highlights include sharing the stage with legends like Abida Parveen ji and Atif Aslam. A standout moment for me was our first show at the NSCI DOME in Mumbai, where more than 10,000 people were cheering for us and singing along—truly a dream come true!

Live music at weddings creates a unique energy. How do you craft a setlist that reflects the couple’s taste while also keeping the crowd engaged and entertained?

When I craft a setlist for a wedding, it’s all about balancing personal touches with creating a vibe that resonates with everyone. I start by connecting with the couple to understand their musical tastes, special songs that mean something to them, and the mood they want for different parts of the event.

I mix in those personal choices with tracks that I know will keep the energy alive—songs that are crowd favorites, high-energy numbers, and a few sing-alongs to create those magical moments. The key is to keep a flow, so we start slow and emotional for the intimate moments and then gradually build into the upbeat, celebratory vibe to get everyone on the dance floor. It’s about reading the room as well, adjusting the energy depending on how the crowd responds. At the end of the day, it’s the couple’s night, and my goal is to make it unforgettable for them and their guests!

Every band has its own distinct sound. How do you balance maintaining your signature style while incorporating requests from the couple/crowd to make the wedding experience personal and memorable?

Balancing my signature style with requests from the couple or crowd is something I approach with a lot of care. My sound is rooted in Sufi and fusion, which naturally brings a soulful and uplifting energy to any performance. But when it comes to weddings, the priority is making the event personal and unforgettable for the couple.

For example, I might take a requested song and give it a Sufi twist or add fusion elements to make it flow with my overall style.

Live interactions are also key, especially when it comes to reading the crowd. If I sense that people are craving something more upbeat or want a specific song, I’m flexible and weave in those requests, but always with my musical flair. The goal is to create moments that feel personal for the couple while maintaining the vibe that I’m known for.

Ultimately, it’s about making the couple and the crowd feel connected, ensuring the night reflects their tastes while still giving them a unique, "Bismil" experience.

Staying flexible and improvising while maintaining the energy and flow is key to making a wedding performance truly special. For me, it’s all about being in sync with the emotions of the couple and the crowd while keeping the atmosphere alive.

One of the ways I stay flexible is by not sticking too rigidly to a setlist. I have a rough framework of the songs, but I leave room for changes depending on the mood.

What goes into preparing for a wedding performance, from rehearsals to learning new songs that may not be part of your regular repertoire?

Preparing for a wedding performance involves careful planning, rehearsals, and ensuring the music aligns with the couple’s vision while staying true to my signature Sufi style. To ensure the sound is flawless, my team and I work closely with the wedding planners or venue to set up the right audio and stage equipment. Weddings can be unpredictable, so I always stay flexible. Whether there are changes in the schedule, a surprise request, or an unexpected shift in the crowd's energy, I’m ready to adapt and ensure the music keeps flowing naturally, while staying true to my Sufi roots.

"With each wedding, we strive to create a lasting visual narrative"

Parth Gupta’s journey into wedding photography began with a deep appreciation for nature and the breathtaking landscapes he had the privilege to explore. For the founder of FolioHaus, a photography firm well known for documenting weddings in unique ways, capturing the beauty of the natural world was what sparked his passion for photography. “But as I developed my skills, I found myself increasingly drawn to the rich tapestry of human emotions,’’ he says.

“I discovered that photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about telling stories and documenting moments that reflect the essence of life. This realization led me to weddings, the ultimate celebration of human connection where joy, love, and sometimes bittersweet emotions intertwine.”

Parth makes it clear that he has learnt invaluable lessons over the years. “I've learned the importance of staying calm in tough situations, embracing the unpredictability of life, and, most importantly, the profound joy of bringing smiles to people's faces by capturing their cherished memories.”

For this acclaimed photographer, wedding photography allows him to blend his “love for nature and emotion, creating lasting narratives that resonate with the heart”.

Excerpts from an interview:

How do you anticipate and prepare for those once-in-a-lifetime shots during a wedding?

Weddings are filled with unique moments that deserve to be captured in the most meaningful way possible. To ensure we do justice to these special occasions, we engage in thorough discussions and meticulous planning with our clients to understand the flow of events.

Internally, our team conducts briefings to align our approach and collaborate with wedding planners seamlessly. Our wealth of experience allows us to anticipate and adapt to various situations as they arise, ensuring that we capture those fleeting, emotional moments authentically. With each wedding, we strive to create a lasting visual narrative that reflects the couple's unique story.

What’s your approach to balancing candid, emotional moments with the more traditional, posed shots that couples often desire?

Our approach focuses on capturing the genuine emotions of the couple— those joyful and heartfelt instances that truly reflect their personalities. Of course, we always take our clients' preferences into account when planning the perfect shot list.

Lighting can make or break a shot. How do you adapt to different lighting scenarios to ensure every shot is perfect?

Lighting plays a crucial role in photography, especially at weddings where conditions can change throughout the day. We continuously refine our skills to adapt to various lighting scenarios. Our preference is to utilize natural light whenever possible, as it helps maintain an authentic feel in our shots. However, when lighting conditions are less than ideal, we employ external lighting to ensure every moment is beautifully captured. This flexibility allows us to create stunning images no matter the environment.

Of late, wedding videos have evolved into cinematic experiences. What are some of the elements that go into creating a wedding video that not only tells a couple’s story but also captures the emotions of the day?

To create a film that beautifully tells a couple’s story and captures the day’s emotions, we start by getting to know the couple personally. We delve into their tastes, preferences, hobbies, and what makes them unique. This understanding allows us to create a customized experience that reflects their personalities.

Alongside cinematic shots from the wedding, we aim to create a heartfelt narrative that reflects their journey together, making their special day unforgettable.

The editing process is often where the magic happens. Can you share what goes into transforming raw footage or photos into a beautiful, cohesive final product?

The editing is a creative zone where we weave together all the beautiful moments and stories captured during the event, giving life and meaning to our work. We carefully select the right music and maintain a cohesive flow, all while keeping the couple’s personality and preferences in mind. Every detail is thoughtfully considered to ensure the final product resonates with them and reflects their unique story.

With new trends like drone photography and live streaming on the rise, how do you incorporate modern technology while maintaining the timeless quality that wedding photography and videography demand?

Aerial photography has become an integral part of our approach, and we believe in staying updated with the latest technology and trends in the industry. By incorporating modern tools, we enhance the overall experience for our clients. We use these innovations to streamline our processes and capture stunning visuals, all the while maintaining the core values that define our work.