Dr. Pooja Bathija - doctor, host, and curator of Mumbai’s karaoke culture.
Mumbai's nightlife has found a new rhythm - not in its glitzy clubs or DJ sets, but in karaoke bars and restaurants where ordinary people become performers. At the forefront of this cultural shift is Dr. Pooja Bathija, a medical practitioner turned karaoke curator, now one of the most recognizable faces in Mumbai's suburban entertainment scene.
Dr. Pooja, who graduated in 2003, spent nearly two decades practicing medicine with leading clinicians. Yet, music remained her true calling. "I was always drawn to singing," she recalls. "Karaoke nights helped me rediscover a part of myself that medicine couldn't touch."
Her transformation from doctor to karaoke host symbolizes the evolving spirit of Mumbai's urban professionals - passionate, fearless, and ready to follow their dreams. Today, she stands at the center of a fast-growing musical movement sweeping across the suburbs.
Dr. Pooja's journey found rhythm when she partnered with Kevin D'Souza, a veteran sound engineer and event professional who had worked with live bands and corporate events since 2014 under VDJ Mervin's mentorship. Kevin, now her life partner, brought technical mastery and structure to her passion. Together, they began shaping karaoke nights that feel as professional as a concert yet as personal as a living room jam.
Completing the powerhouse trio is KJ Shane Vanel, a pioneer of Mumbai's karaoke scene, celebrated for his deep song library and exceptional sound design.
With Pooja's charisma, Kevin's precision, and Shane's expertise, the trio turned karaoke into a high-energy, curated art form that has redefined suburban nightlife.
WEB LINK'S COVER PIC ALSO Photo 2: Dr. Pooja Bathija with Kevin D'Souza and KJ Shane Vanel - the trio behind Mumbai's most happening karaoke nights
From Andheri to Bandra, Vile Parle to Malad, the trio have built a loyal following across Mumbai's trendiest venues such as Road House Blues (Bandra & Andheri) where KJ Kevin mesmerizes a very passionate English music crowd with his extensive sound engineering expertise as the in-house exclusive KJ at Bandra and KJ Shane manages the Andheri and Bandra sessions, making both hotspots for English karaoke fans.
Dr. Pooja on the other hand curates, hosts and manages highly engaging Karaoke nights at multiple restobars for music lovers and singers - with every night bringing a new venue and experience:
Maujja Restobar (Vile Parle)
Baa Mee (Veera Desai)
Bonfire (Versova)
B1 Lounge (Lokhandwala)
Lil Gamby (Khar)
Someplace Else (BKC)
Reuben Lounge (Malad)
Each event is elevated with top-notch acoustics, seamless playlists, and an atmosphere where everyone - from first timers to seasoned vocalists - feels like a star. "Our goal is to create experiences where music bridges hearts," KJ Kevin says.
For Dr. Pooja, karaoke is more than just performance; it's emotional release. "Karaoke is therapy," she says. "It boosts confidence, uplifts spirits, and lets people express themselves freely." Her events often feature a mix of Bollywood, retro, and global chart-toppers. She also curates' celebrity house parties, milestone celebrations, and corporate events, infusing each occasion with the same passion that drives their public shows.
Photo 3: Dr. Pooja and KJ Kevin with karaoke lovers and the maestro DJ Suketu
Beyond hosting, the trio are training and mentoring upcoming KJs, raising sound standards across suburban venues, and inspiring new audiences to join the movement. Their nights have significantly boosted footfall at partner restobars, proving karaoke is no longer niche - it's the heartbeat of Mumbai's new-age nightlife. Together, Dr. Pooja, Kevin, and Shane have turned karaoke into a cultural movement that blends art, community, and pure joy. Their vision extends beyond Mumbai - to bring their brand of musical magic to every corner of the country.
Dr. Pooja concludes, "We're not just hosting events and running shows - we're building a community, spreading happiness and confidence, one song at a time."
