Sonic BOOM

“I’m a mechanical engineer who did MBA and is now passionate about music and the entertainment industry,” Kakar sums it up running through days at PEC and UBS. It was with Sony Music that he redefined the norms of the Indian music industry,one which led Kakar from embracing challenges of the emerging environment in areas such as digital,artist management and merchandising to making Universal Music India Pvt Ltd a complete 360 degree entertainment company.

“What we’re exploring now is western influences coupled with an Indian soul,and when it comes to music,these are the true ingredients of success,” Rajat’s moving from the ‘Bollywood brand’ to national and international independent stars,creation of experience zones and music icons. “Take an artist,create business around him and you’ve created a brand.” He has a long wish list,on top of it is getting the doyens of music industry including Gurdas Maan and Hans Raj Hans from Punjab region. “There is tie-up with channels like MTV too…it’s basically developing long-term properties,” he says.

Finally,quiz him why Universal zeroed in on the Punjab region,and Kakar says because it still sells music. “There are people who walk into a music store and ask what’s new! There are new singers coming up from here everyday. I consider Punjab as the last bastion where music is still given importance,as a career,as a business,as a part of life.” That it is.