‘For a while, Wall Street wasn't about finance…': DJ Arjun Shah on 400-strong baraat bringing NYC's money hub to a stop, landing Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma wedding gig, and more

Indian Express

02-06-2025

Not a campaign rally, not a protest march — an Indian wedding managed to bring New York's financial district to a halt, with 400 odd baaraatis dancing to upbeat tunes in their designer best. At the helm of it all, DJ Arjun Shah spun his magic and sent the party into frenzy, snippets of which found their way to social media and made headlines right away.
'Watching 400 people dance and celebrate in the middle of New York City's financial district was something I never imagined I'd be part of. The energy was next level, dhols echoing off skyscrapers, guests completely immersed in the moment, and passersby stopping to take it all in. For a while, Wall Street wasn't about finance, it was all about joy, music, and culture,' said Shah — better known as DJ AJ.
With over two decades in the industry, he has become the go-to name for wedding entertainment. His impressive portfolio includes some of the biggest weddings in Bollywood and beyond, from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's Europe cruise celebration to Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas, Athiya Shetty-KL Rahul, Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja and Kiara Advani-Sidharth Malhotra nuptials.
Recalling how he landed the Wall Street gig, Shah revealed that he was booked to perform for a multi-day wedding, and at the time, was only given the dates and details of the functions, not the actual venues. 'It was only later that I discovered one of those events would happen on Wall Street. That's when I realized this was going to be something really special. I wasn't part of the planning process, just brought on to handle the music, but I'm grateful to have been involved in such a standout moment,' he said.
Known for his ability to curate dynamic, high-energy performances across genres like Bollywood, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Techno, Shah transforms weddings into unforgettable experiences. He has also shared the stage with global music icons such as David Guetta, Katy Perry, Pitbull, The Backstreet Boys, and The Chainsmokers.
Indianexpress.com caught up with him at length to discuss the rapidly evolving wedding industry, his creative process, and the unforgettable moments from celebrity weddings. Edited excerpts below:
Arjun Shah: The experience at the Adani wedding was amazing. It was a high-energy crowd that truly loved their Bollywood music. The couple enjoyed a few English mashups that I played, especially my own production—Tere Liye x I Adore You.
Arjun Shah: Their wedding playlist was primarily Bollywood-heavy, especially featuring songs from their own movies—the ones they had danced to on screen.
Arjun Shah: I was approached by an event company for the wedding, but they didn't reveal the couple's name or any details—just that it was a huge opportunity. At the time, I was attending my best friend's wedding, scheduled on the same dates, so I initially turned it down. A few days later, they reached out again for the reception, and luckily, I was available.
All I knew was that I would be performing at The St. Regis, Mumbai. When I arrived, I noticed a lot of paparazzi outside but still had no clue who the couple was. It was only when I saw the couple's logo outside the banquet that I realised it was Virat-Anushka. That moment was truly unforgettable. I do recall playing a lot of Punjabi and Bhangra tracks that night. The energy was incredible!
A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai)
Arjun Shah: I usually start with a brief from the couple to understand their musical preferences. Then, we set up a detailed call to get a sense of their vision, audience, and the vibe of the event. We also check if the couple is open to experimenting with different genres. This helps me curate a playlist that aligns with their expectations while also incorporating my own creative touch.
Arjun Shah: I've genuinely loved working with all of them. But as a DJ, one wedding I can never forget is Farhan and Shibani's. It was at their house in Lonavala, and the couple danced their hearts out—whether it was English, Bollywood, or Hip-Hop blasting through the speakers. Their energy was unreal.
Arjun Shah: My journey started when I was 15, after being selected by my school to DJ at an event. From there, I participated in War of DJs competitions and won five consecutive years. That's when I knew this was my passion.
To hone my skills, I attended Point Blank Music School in London, where I learned the technical aspects of DJ'ing. Initially, I started playing at nightclubs, but my first wedding gig happened by chance—it was a family wedding. It turned out to be such a hit that it led to more bookings within the family, and soon, word-of-mouth brought me new clients.
Arjun Shah: In recent years, couples have started blending global music genres with Indian music, creating a unique fusion at weddings. Bollywood classics are now being seamlessly mixed with international sounds like Afro House, Techno, and EDM—giving wedding playlists a fresh vibe.
India definitely has a huge market for wedding DJ'ing. Weddings here are grand, and music is a core part of every celebration. Millennial and Gen Z couples especially love having a DJ curate unique sets for their wedding events.
Arjun Shah: Couples want personalised, immersive experiences. Two years ago, I introduced my hologram act in India—a visual experience that fuses EDM, Techno, and Bolly-Tech, elevating live sets. This trend has taken off, and moving forward, we'll see production become even more technology-driven. Acts like holograms will only get bigger and better, with advancements in AI, augmented reality, and interactive visuals becoming part of wedding entertainment.
Digital marketing and social media reels will play an even bigger role in shaping wedding music. Viral mashups are already influencing couples' playlists, and DJs will continue to create custom edits inspired by trending sounds. The focus will be on creating moments that look and sound great on social media, making wedding music not just about the live experience but also its digital impact.
Arjun Shah: Seeing the event go viral has definitely been special. The moment already felt big in person, but watching how it resonated with people online, across the world, has added another layer to it. I think moments like these help shine a light on how powerful and joyful cultural celebrations can be, even in the most unexpected places. It's definitely encouraging as I look ahead.
Ishika Roy is a is a Trainee Sub Editor for the lifestyle desk at The Indian Express. She shares a keen interest in reading, writing and researching on all things beauty, entertainment, pop culture and lifestyle. Ishika holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Miranda House, Delhi and a Post-graduate degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune. ... Read More