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.

The Trio Behind the Boom: Pooja, Kevin, and Shane

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.