When talent shines...

Deepkamal Kaur

Having done music direction, and composing for three Bollywood films, 26 Punjabi movies and 35 single tracks, Jalandhar-based Jay K aka Jassi Katyal (35) remembers how he started his career in music, 13 years ago, at a monthly salary of just Rs 2,500.

Jay K says, “I was 22 and married at that time. I was under immense pressure to earn my own livelihood by getting a job in some bank. Having done some soft courses in computers after my Class 12, I always wanted to do something in music. My parents-in-law, who worked in DAV College, got me some books in ragas so that I could acquire more skill in music. At that time, I had to sit for hours outside music studios in Jalandhar requesting to give me a job in technology-based music mixing, but to no avail. Finally, I got a job in a studio that agreed to pay me Rs 2,500 per month. I came back home happily that day to share that I had finally made it.”

Moving up the ladder

He adds, “After a year, I got an increment of Rs 1,000. Days later, I got an offer to work for a private radio. With this job, my salary jumped to Rs 15,000 a month and there was a palpable wave of excitement in the house. I worked diligently for four years and my salary got doubled.”

He got a chance to interview Bollywood writer Kumar Rakesh, who hails from Jalandhar. “The interview changed my life, but there were still many glitches. My first break was to come with dubbing of the song Jugni for Sukhwinder Sukhi, but it got shelved. My first remix song was Mar Jawan Gur Kha Ke and then came about the offer to work in Jatt & Juliet 2.”

Good times

He has a great association with Diljit Dosanjh and also Gippy Grewal. He adds, “My first film with Gippy Grewal was Lock, followed by Manje Bistre, Carry On Jatta and Mar Jawan Gur Khake. During the initial years, I had to follow the command of big artistes, but I have a say now. I am enjoying this liberty to explore more.”

His upcoming projects include Punjabi movies Posti, Men In Black, Maa, Paani Ch Madaani, Pakke Punjabi, Hera Pheriyaan and Yaran Diyan Po 12. “I also have single tracks with singers Ranjit Bawa, Gippy Grewal, Sardool Sikander, Malkit Singh, Yuvraj Hans, Jazzy B and Miss Pooja coming up,” he signs off.