Vidya Balan, made radio jockeying look glamorous in Lage Raho Munna Bhai, but just how glamorous is the job? Real life Radio Jockeys, Archana Pania and Rohini Ramanathan, tell us all about it. They are probably the one you start your day listening to while you enjoy your breakfast. Archana is a breakfast show jockey, with Radio City and hosts Kasa Kai Mumbai , while Rohini is the voice you hear as RJ Rohini in Radio Nasha in the show called Jhakass Morning. Archana became an RJ by accident, “I had no desire to be a radio jockey,” says Archana. Rohini always wanted to be part of mass media.” The right opportunity combined with the gift of the gab helped me make this decision,” says Rohini. In a conversation with HFT, they tell us all it takes to be a radio jockey and much more:
1. Radio Jockeying is no rocket science
Both agree that though there are courses that teach you how to be a radio jockey, but how you communicate effectively is what is most important. It helps you create a bond and connect with the audience. Rohini feels that interning at a radio station would be much better than courses but if there are radio station affiliated courses, it’s a good to do it They are a lot of technicalities that you need to learn, and these courses are very useful for that ,but like Archana says, that’s no rocket science. All you need is, spontaneity, awareness and good language skills
2. Radio Jockey has to be living that life 24 x 7
To be a good Radio Jockey, one needs to observe everything that is happening around them, be aware and then share it on radio, to create a connect with your audience . It could be simple things like the potholes in Mumbai or the month of June and July, when your maid runs back to her ‘goan’. Simple local things like that everyone connects to. It should make people feel like “OMG, that’s so true!” But even though it is an everyday medium with no off days, no holidays, both feel that it’s one of the best jobs. “Cool workmates and regular doses of Ranbir Kapoor 😉 What would you look at? “ adds Rohini. According to her, everyday in the life of a jock is an exciting day.
Image Credit: Archana Pania Instagram
3. Be honest to what you are doing
Archana says, the best example for this, is the show Love Guru, he is very honest to that content he is doing. He knows what advice to give to somebody who even says things like: “ I have issues with my sex life.” He answers such issues without being jittery. Rohini has a message for freshers wanting to get into Radio : “Be humble, be willing to learn, don’t be afraid to give your ideas to anyone and everyone! Everyone is equal in a radio team! “
4. Presence of mind
Their POM has to be immaculate. For example, it’s tough to handle stars sometimes during interviews, they’re probably offended with something you said, but you need to know how to take that flow ahead, especially when you are on a live show. Archana, once almost dropped a huge banner, because of the excitement of seeing Hrithik Roshan, at her radio station and ever since then she’s learnt how to remain calm no matter how excited she may be.
Image Credit: Rohini Ramanathan Instagram
5. Being able to say a lot in less
They say 40% is what people can recall when they are listening to the radio. The more you say in less, the more effective a radio jockey you are. And if you can inculcate humor in it, then you are a star. Humor is a great asset. Archana has had to use humor to get away from a tricky situation, when she failed to recognize , serial kisser, Emraan Hashmi and had to quickly tell him: “ Actually, I hardly got to see your face in that film ‘coz you were kissing so much in that film.” Having said that, sometimes some things said in humor can get them into serious trouble too. Like recently, where a very popular RJ, Malishka and the radio station she works for ,were sent a legal notice by the Shiv Sena corporators, for making a dig on Mumbai’s potholes, in a song.
6. Great medium to make money
Like in any field, once you make a name for yourself , you can demand the money you want. Besides that also, the money you make as a radio jockey is good to start with. Besides that, Archana says she get s a lot of supporting jobs like hosting, voice over, live shows, events and all this comes primarily because you are a name in the radio. In Madhur Bhandarkar’s film, Dil Toh Bachcha Hain Jee, she had a character based on her, besides playing herself in the film, Sulemani Keeda.
7. Wide reach
The reach of radio is immense, from the ‘chaiwala’ to probably, the Prime Minister, everyone is listening to you. That feeling of oneness is huge. Rohini says it’s the best career choice she made. “Radio however is a solid career choice and I urge people to make a career in radio, rather than looking at it as a temporary job / side gig. Also – there are so many wonderful creative positions within radio apart from just being an RJ. RJing is just a part of radio, the medium is much bigger than just that,’ says Rohini.
The love from complete strangers is what makes them love what they do, says Rohini. Archana believes, Radio is a medium that was , is and will be. She supports her statement with an example of the scene in the Will Smith starrer, I Am Legend, where everyone leaves the face of the earth ,except r Will Smith, his dog and the aliens and then there is the Radio Jockey’s voice. She says that that particular scene sums up the fact that, radio is a vital job to keep our city/country connected.
