Bollytech, India’s blend of Bollywood and electronic music, is being promoted internationally by Sushil Meena, also known as Trapperx. With forthcoming shows in Europe, Dubai, and India, Trapperx is broadening Bollytech’s audience and introducing Indian music to previously unexplored venues. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented musician in an exclusive chat. Excerpts..

You’re credited as the driving force behind the Bollytech movement. For someone who hasn’t been on your dancefloor yet, how do you describe the perfect marriage between a Bollywood melody and electronic beats?

Sushil Meena – I am very fascinated & inspired by Bollywood music from 2000 to 2010, and I merge it with current trending melodic tracks, which gives us a perfect blend of nostalgic emotions and fresh sound.

Your journey started with viral mashups in Jaipur. At what specific moment did you realize these edits were more than just internet trends and were actually becoming a new cultural sub-genre?

Sushil Meena- I released a track called Kaho Na Kaho, a mashup of Black Dress by Anyma, which was later shared by Emraan Hashmi, sir, and other celebrities as well. This made me realise that this could become the next sound of India, and I got completely dedicated to this.

Bollywood is known for its emotional depth. How do you ensure that the soul of a song isn’t lost when you’re amping it up for a high-energy club environment?

Sushil Meena- Yes, I agree about the emotional depth that Bollywood tracks carry, & I make sure that if the Bollywood track that I am using is energetic, then I try to match the energy of the track. I never try to change the energy just to make the crowd dance. I try to maintain the balance and energy between both tracks, which I think is the key to maintaining emotions & energy.

Seeing your face on a Times Square billboard is a pinnacle for any artist. As an independent DJ without a major label machine, what did that moment symbolize for your career and for Indian DJs at large?

Sushil Meena- It is honestly one of the biggest achievements for me to be featured there as a Music Producer. The thing that makes it even more special was, I reached there without the help of any big company and by just working hard & believing in my art and it inspired a lot young artists that one does not need to rely on big companies to take you to a big platform, you just need to keep working hard & you will get the right opportunities at the right time, just keep believing in your art.

You’ve built a massive digital audience entirely on your own terms. What has been the biggest challenge—and the biggest advantage—of staying independent in an industry dominated by big labels?

Sushil Meena- Instagram has been a platform that supports independent artists. I try my best to analyse the algorithm and try to build my content around that in such a way it becomes relevant for the masses. In these times, it is not necessary to be associated with big labels; you just need to be true to your art and keep analysing what would work best for you. I haven’t worked with a big label as of now, but in the future, if I get the opportunity to work, then I’d be open to that as well.

You’ve played from Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena to venues in Singapore and Australia. Do you find that international crowds react differently to Bollytech than audiences back home in India?

Sushil Meena- Yes, overseas audiences aren’t used to the OG Bollywood tracks as they get to hear them once in a while. Such shows take place once a month there. I was also very scared before performing at an international stage with my music, but their reaction was so positive, and they enjoyed it even more than the audience here. It was very encouraging for me.

You’ve shared stages with legends like Shankar Mahadevan and Sunidhi Chauhan. How has working alongside these playback titans influenced the way you produce your electronic tracks?

Sushil Meena- I get to learn a lot whenever I get to share the stage with big artists, but one thing that I have observed, which is common amongst all of them, is that they are very calm when they are on stage or off stage, interacting with people. They are never overstimulated & they always stay composed. Now, even when I work in my studio or whenever I am on stage, I try to stay calm & composed, and I even have a ritual for this.

When you’re preparing for a massive set at a venue like Vice or Mantra, what is your process for reading the room? How much of your set is pre-planned versus improvised based on the crowd’s energy?

Sushil Meena- To be honest, whenever I get the opportunity to play on a big stage like Vice or Mantra, I go with a pre-planned set, not a pre-mixed set. For example, if I am planning to play 120 tracks there, then I’d know the tracks I would be playing, since these are very big stages for an artist, and one cannot go without proper planning, but yes, choosing the right track at the right moment also matters a lot.

Your collaborations with Suave and SSL Europe suggest a growing interest from the West. Are we moving toward a future where Bollytech becomes a staple in mainstream European festivals?

Sushil Meena- I feel like Bollytech could be the next big sound, but I also think that while going on a global stage, we can’t just stick with one language, and I would need to diversify so that there is no barrier to our sound. I will ensure to have an Indian touch with the Techno sound, and we will take it on a global stage.

With dates set for the UK, Netherlands, and Canada, what are you most excited to bring to these new territories that might not have experienced a “Trapperx” set yet?

Sushil Meena- Yes, I am very excited to take my sound to the UK-Europe this year. 18th June, I have a show in Ireland followed by a show in the UK on the 19th, and then in the Netherlands on the 20th June. I am working on a unique & exclusive set for this, and it will be a set specially curated for them, and it will be an amazing experience for everyone.

When people look back at the evolution of Indian electronic music ten years from now, what do you want them to say about the impact Trapperx had on the scene?

Sushil Meena- I want to be a positive force in the industry so that when people look back at my journey, they can say, he was true to his art and the entire industry followed. I just want to stay true to my art & work hard and stay a positive force in the industry.

For the bedroom producer in a small city like Jaipur, looking at your success, what is the one “non-negotiable” rule for making it in the music industry today?

Sushil Meena- Something that is non-negotiable for me is focusing on social media & marketing. Every artist in these times should focus on their social media, growing their social media, putting out quality content, and maintaining their brand image. What you don’t post is far more important than what you post.