Very rarely do RJs get a prime time slot at a young age, so for RJ Rohit from Radio Mirchi, this is an accomplishment. Keeping his age under wraps, Rohit states how excited he was when he was offered the show ‘Recharge Rohit’. He talks to Radioandmusic.com’s Jescilia Karayamparambil about his journey with Radio Mirchi and the importance of 2014 in his career graph.
2014
Last year was huge for me in terms of profession. After three years in radio, I got a prime time slot. I have been doing the morning show for the past six months now. 2014 was wonderful for me. I love the field I am in but because of my professional move, my personal life has gone for a toss. I had to compromise but it is part of being a professional.
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Prime-Time slot experience
I really did not think much when I was given the prime time slot. I was very excited more than anything. I think I am the youngest Radio Jockey to have got the prime time slot. It happened very soon for me. Over a period of time, I started realising that the time slot comes with various challenges like waking up at six in the morning when the temperature is low. I never woke up so early but it is the passion for the job that makes you do that.
Journey
During my first year in college, Radio Mirchi came to my college for a RJ hunt, which I won that year. I used to do various stage performances in school and college, which is why taking part in the contest came naturally to me. I won a cash reward and internship with Radio Mirchi for a certain period of time. I never knew much about radio back then. It was only when I got my graveyard shift that I realised how much fun radio was. When you are doing a show or event, you cater to maximum 2000-5000 people. On radio, we are connecting to lakhs of people and I found it fascinating.
My mother used to listen to All India Radio and I have fond memories of it. I remember waking up to retro songs on the radio coming from kitchen where she would be doing her daily chores. Radio has been part of everyone’s life at some time or another but I was never so passionate like I am now. I know people in my office who are up to the radio and end their day with radio. I was never as evolved with radio as I am today. I preferred theatricals performances.
Memorable interview
I would consider the interview with Arvind Kejriwal as the high point of my show in the past six months. That show gave me the recognition I required as the new RJ on the block. I realised that my new job will be challenging but I took it up because I like challenges. I need something big and different on my show, so we started ‘Mirchi Dialogue’. The segment is about discovering new aspects of the personalities coming to the show. We thought why not bring AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal on board. We are working on the second season of ‘Mirchi Dialogue’, which will feature spiritual leader- Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Online station
In 20112, I used to DJ at Club Mirchi when I was not doing my daily show. I would like to do shows online as well. Online means you are spreading your market and listenership.
My team is working on a plan to promote me on radio. But right now, we are concentrating on the terrestrial side of radio; once we have a clearer picture, we will concentrate on bringing our show online. That is the next step for us.
RJ Naved
I consider RJ Naved my guru, as he is doing a show in another prime time slot. I worked with him when I was an intern with Radio Mirchi. I feel so overwhelmed that I am sharing the same platform with him, at the same station and in the same city. He has given part of his life to radio and to learn about radio from him was a great opportunity. I get to learn so much from him even today.
Next for you
I would like to capture Youtube as well. I plan to do it soon. It is a huge platform and if you crack something really nice then you create an impact globally. My team and I are thinking about it.
