Bhubaneswar, Dec 11 (Odisha.in) 24 year old RJ Vikash is the new kid on the block on SFM 93.5 , hosting the different time slots for Bhubaneswar station.
This guy with the appealing looks and voice could be the quintessential ladies’ man. Who believes that ”Jhoomo jamekii jhoomo” is the best tagline among other city FM players. In a chat with Sabyasachi Amitav, Vikash talks about the art and science of RJing.
How did you kickstart your career in radio?
It’s been quite a journey! I have always loved the sound of my own voice since I was a kid. I’ve been influenced by the famous RJ of Vivid Bharti, Kamal Sharma from early childhood. From those days, mimicry and the profession of an RJ have been weakness and dream and I have been practicing it since long, and now its like a dream come true.
Being the new kid on the block, what strategy are you following to leave a mark on your listeners?
I just speak the language that my listeners speak. I am not a radio announcer and don’t want to be considered one. I would rather be their friend.
What is the USP of RJ Vikash ?
Every human being can speak but every one is not gifted with qualities to use the voice as a sweet expression. By god’s grace I am gifted with the art of mimicry by virtue of which currently I can speak in the voice of more than 30 Bollywood actors.
How do you prepare yourself to give the proactive info on your show to your listeners?
I put a lot of effort into what I talk about. I read six to seven newspapers a day. I need to know everything about everything. Since providing entertainment is our sole aim, specially through radio, where public can only hear the RJs, I insist and stress upon well formed words and dialogues with their best expressions to win the public’s hearts.
Interestingly, I have radio jockeys from rival stations call me as listeners and tell me they love the show.
Do you work out of a scri pt?
One cannot really work from a scri pt, one needs to be spontaneous. Nodoubt scri pt is the base of any performance. But few times, in live shows or phone-in shows, the interaction is un scri pted. There it’s direct from the innermost core of the heart. In fact spontaneity, I would say, is the most essential quality of a performer.
Do you do a lot of research?
What gets termed as research is very tricky. I don’t see myself poring into certain books. But what you are absorbing all the time could be useful.
You might just be reading a trashy film magazine for all you know, or reading a health snippet while waiting at a doctor’s clinic, but it sticks in your head – May be this is something that I could talk about – anything that connects with you as a listener – if I am able to put that thought in your head in the morning and you find a chord then my purpose is served. At the end of the day, you should be tuned into the radio show because you find me interesting.
What do you think are the keys to be a successful RJ?
There are so many things that are taken for granted – you have to have the presence of mind, you have to be multitasking at a functional level, you are handling the show, taking calls, SMSs, you are really straddling a lot of things.
Then energy levels, all the time you have to sound the same. You might have had a scrap at home, you might have a lousy beginning to the day, but when you are live on radio, you have to sound as fresh to a listener. Those are all definitely keys. But what will take you ahead is constantly examining yourself – reaching out to people, examining yourself, and then we tend to be just in love with ourselves.
My mind is always working on how I can give that little extra to that person who’s tuned in? It might be as an insight into a film personality, or it’s my really personal philosophy that I deeply believe in is that radio is not just meant for super celebrities.
Basically you are enjoying ur life as a RJ ?
Yeah! The possibility of radio is so immense. I want to take radio to new levels, and not just saying this for effect, I want to try and do things that have never been done before. Radio is still a very young medium in India, but when compared to international radio, we are very good, but we can do a lot more.
What is your take on restrictions and regulations on RJs about what they talk on air?
Every RJ must understand that there is always a certain way to speak and put across his thoughts to his listeners. An RJ needs to be balanced in his head. Every RJ needs to respect the sentiments of the public, and needs to create a positive identity and not a negative one.
What message would you give to all those budding Radio Hosts out there?
Just enjoy what you are doing and you will eventually end up putting in your best. The radio industry is growing and there is ample amount of opportunity for creative minds who have a passion for music!
Where do you see yourself a decade from now?
I enjoy being on air, and I enjoy ideating for my show. I basically enjoy being creative. Hopefully, ten years down the line, I would be doing something that enables me to keep doing that in the creative, entertainment sphere.
Odisha.in