Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma on his love for top-end gadgets, speed and new-age technology
Grasping the pulse of a nation on the cusp of breaching the technology barrier can be daunting. Years after its logo of a triumphant fist first appeared, Micromax continues to make inroads into a market that is now chockful of choices. For that, we may have to thank Rahul Sharma (36), cofounder of Micromax Informatics Limited. The gadgets he owns are top-notch and his entertainment choices defined by his vast experience in the digital space. Riding on the wave of success unleashed by the launch of a subsidiary of Micromax - Yu Televentures - he shares his passion for luxury automobiles.
SELECT QUALITY GADGETS: The only time I don't take calls is when driving to and back from work. Road safety is a definite consideration, but the bigger one is a half hour of me-time to just sit back and enjoy my music. In fact, quality of music is one of the top considerations on the basis of which I select my gadgets. High fidelity, clear resonance and surroundsound qualities are features that I'm not willing to compromise on. My Continental Supersports Bentley Convertible has a customised NAIM Audio system. My friends insist on referring to it as the Bentley Club because when you turn on the stereo it feels like the inside of a nightclub.
ON FAST CARS: I own a Bentley Supersports, a BMW X6, a Mercedes GL450 and the baby of the family is a Rolls Royce Ghost Series 2, my most recent acquisition. For as long as I can remember, I have been a hardcore F1 fan and love to splurge on luxury automobiles. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of speed. My cars reflect that part of my persona. I am quite fond of riding bikes, but that's more a thing of the past now. The first car that I bought was a Daewoo Matiz in 2000. I still have it and we use it sometimes to ferry employees around.
FAVOURITE ROAD TRIP: The best road trip I had was in San Francisco. I drove all the way from Serratoga to Golden Gate and the view was incredible.
PLAYLIST PREFERENCES: Music scores over movies in my scheme of entertainment. I spend the longest flights, usually to USA, not with an in-flight movie but with a few packed hours of music. I keep my phone stocked with my favourite numbers that can last for about four or five hours. The music I listen to usually depends on my mood but I like fairly different genres. At any given time, I would have a mix of Rock, EDM and soft numbers on my playlist. I find myself especially drawn to Calvin Harris, Tiesto, David Guetta and Avicii these days.
OTHER PASSIONS: I like movies of the arthouse kind because they tend to be more creative. Alternatively, I also like light-hearted movies by Shoojit Sircar and Anurag Basu. The last Hollywood movie that I watched and liked was Unbroken. I have a 12-seater home entertainment system with a UFO Moviez satellite backing. The sound system is Denon and JBL's. I try and call friends over a marathon movie watching session every other weekend.
MAKE TIME FOR FITNESS: I work out in office because there's no time to squeeze that in once I get home. In summer, I supplement my workout regime by taking a plunge in the pool every single day.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: It was while exploring the niches in the mobile phone market that I came upon the idea of launching YU Televentures. The brand's software-driven handsets come fitted with an OS superior to stock Android. In keeping with its uber-digital feel, it will be sold only through online shopping portals. So far, we've seen an unprecedented response.
