#1 Raaj!!
An RJ’s job is not about non-stop talking, but about non-stop thinking. You have to have presence of mind and adapt as per the given situation and at the same time establish your own identity. It’s critical to understand your listeners and to gauge their interest and then of course sustain it through an audio medium.
An RJ with Red 93.5 FM, Raaj is best known for his show ‘Morning No: 1’. He has been with Red FM for nearly Six years now.
In a freewheeling conversation with me, the super talented and super cool, yet so down-to-earth Jan-born Capricorn, Raaj talks about his experience as an RJ, his hit radio show and where Red FM gains over others...
Q: Tell us something about yourself.
Q. What inspired you to become a radio jockey?
Q. When was this accident?!
Q. It’s a common say that the job of an RJ is pretty easy – it’s just about talking. How difficult it is in your opinion to talk non-stop?
Q. How important is creativity for a radio jockey?
Q. Which out of these is important in your profession and why:
Knowledge
Humour
Intelligence
Q: What is the show that you host?
Q. What is your show all about?
Q. Interesting! What is this ‘Bakra’ all about on your show?
Q. What preparations do you do before your show starts?
Q: As an RJ, you are always required to be happy & cheerful? How do you manage to be enthusiastic all day long?
Q. How important is your contribution in the scripting of a programme?
Q: How has being an RJ changed you as a person?
Q. What is that one thing that makes your radio station different from other radio stations?
Q. Which are your favourite radio shows?
Q: Can you share some of your memorable moments on Red FM?
Q. One Day in the Life of RJ Raaj?
Q: What are your hobbies?
Q: Your Favourite Movies?
Q. Your Favourite Actor/s?
Q: And your Favourite Delicacies...
Q: What is that one thing that you love most about Hyderabad?
Q. What are your future ambitions?
Q: Any tips for aspiring Radio Jockeys?
Here's wishing Raaj all the very best for all his future endeavours...
An RJ with Red 93.5 FM, Raaj is best known for his show ‘Morning No: 1’. He has been with Red FM for nearly Six years now.
In a freewheeling conversation with me, the super talented and super cool, yet so down-to-earth Jan-born Capricorn, Raaj talks about his experience as an RJ, his hit radio show and where Red FM gains over others...
- Hiii…people know me as RJ Raaj, and I am a very simple, easy going and people’s person! I am a home bird. I prefer to stay at home after a hard day of work.
- This is sheer accident! One of my friends told me that the auditions are on; I just wanted to try my luck. They said that my Voice is very good and hence, I was hired. This is how I became an RJ!
- It was on Sep 16, 2006. Now, I work for Red FM 93.5. I am celebrating a decade in the Radio industry! J
Q. It’s a common say that the job of an RJ is pretty easy – it’s just about talking. How difficult it is in your opinion to talk non-stop?
- It’s not at all easy! Everyday is a challenge. It’s not just talking. Any issue has to be spoken with humour, creativity and confidence. Only then the listeners pay attention. We cannot play around by talking nonsense! The listeners would dislike us instantly. By God’s grace, I don't have such type of audience!!
Q. How important is creativity for a radio jockey?
- Absolutely essential! You cannot be an RJ without some amount of creativity. Everyday we need to be creative.
Q. Which out of these is important in your profession and why:
Knowledge
Humour
Intelligence
- All – an RJ needs to be spontaneous and hence a mix of all the above will be of great help and use.
Q: What is the show that you host?
- I do a show called ‘Morning No: 1’ on Red FM, from 7 AM – 11 AM. Hence, I usually wake up everyone in the City with this show! J
Q. What is your show all about?
- I provide traffic updates, play melodious and energetic songs. I also do something called ‘Bakra’, which gained a lot of attention and immense popularity among the audience. It’s a huge hit in Hyderabad!
Q. Interesting! What is this ‘Bakra’ all about on your show?
- Haha! Listeners call or message me asking to call a friend or family member and play a prank! This prank is on air for the entire Hyderabad to listen in. :)
Q. What preparations do you do before your show starts?
- I do a lot of homework for my show. I ensure to be in sync with all the latest happenings and make sure to give my best shot. I believe that this is the biggest reason for my show’s success.
Q: As an RJ, you are always required to be happy & cheerful? How do you manage to be enthusiastic all day long?
- I don't take any special care as such! However, I ensure to shout at the top of my voice before my show as the voice of a person is usually rough early in the morning. I drink a cup of my favourite coffee as it relaxes me and then, I am good to go J.
- Very very important. I write the script, too.
Q: How has being an RJ changed you as a person?
- It changed me to a very large extent. I started to work with my mind. Creativity is the key here – hence, I need to be more creative everyday.
Q. What is that one thing that makes your radio station different from other radio stations?
- RedFM is always about Entertainment! We play super hit music everyday. And also, our RJs are quite popular compared to others. All of us have a varied style!
Q. Which are your favourite radio shows?
- Morning No: 1 obviously! But seriously, I listen to all shows. Love to learn from each.
Q: Can you share some of your memorable moments on Red FM?
- Meeting so many people on a daily basis itself is so memorable. I love to play pranks with my co-RJs.
Q. One Day in the Life of RJ Raaj?
- Well…owing to my morning show, I wake up at 6 AM every morning (though I dislike to ;)), get ready for my show and continue entertaining my audience till 11 AM. After this, I hang out in the office, play pranks and pull others’ legs! Time just flies and the moment the clock strikes 5 PM, I work out in the gym post office and then, head home. I surf the internet for a couple of hours, catch up on the latest news and call it a day.
Q: What are your hobbies?
- I am a Programmer, Producer and RJ. I also write, mix and lend my voice for ads and promos. I am habituated to multi tasking for the last 6 years. I will be entertaining the viewers on the small screen with my show – very soon!
Q: Your Favourite Movies?
- My all-time favourites: Apocalypto, Chitram Bhalare Vichitram, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
Q. Your Favourite Actor/s?
- Rajnikanth Sir, Pawan Kalyan, Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) – they are my inspiration in many ways :)
Q: And your Favourite Delicacies...
- I love light food! My all-time favourite is Idli-Sambar.
Q: What is that one thing that you love most about Hyderabad?
- People, Weather and Food.
Q. What are your future ambitions?
- For sure, I wouldn’t retire as an RJ :D! I would like to try my luck on the small screen and, of course, movies. Discussions are on…keeping my fingers crossed!
Q: Any tips for aspiring Radio Jockeys?
- Opportunities are aplenty in the Radio industry. However, when an aspiring RJ comes in with the right passion and attitude, I am sure he/ she can make it through the auditions. A word of caution, though – please be aware of the Radio before coming for an audition and avoid fake accent! It is good to be yourself as imitation only turns people off. A person can be anything in this world provided he/ she has the zeal, interest and positive attitude.
Here's wishing Raaj all the very best for all his future endeavours...
Comments