He is the agony aunt of radio for over seven years now addressing the concerns of love-lorn couples and providing solutions to their problems as their mystery host RJ Love Guru. With a decade and a half years of experience in the industry having won several awards, he has also made his filmi debut with comedy ‘Dil Kabaddi’, where he was seen bridging differences between the lead characters. In conversation with Radioandmusic.com’s Harpreet Khokhar, RJ Love Guru on his experience as the anonymous RJ and teh growing facets of the radio industry.
You have been associated with radio for long. Tell us how did you get into this medium?
It’s a typical case of being at the right place at the right time and with the right people! Had this penchant to be on radio and just walked into the studio of a private radio station one day. They liked my voice, diction and language and I got a call the same evening for a show the very next day. That was a long time ago and I owe a lot to radio!
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Tell us more about your show? How has it evolved over the years?
‘Love Guru’ was conceived seven years ago, we wanted to do a show that was different from the regular radio shows of filmy gossip and general talk. We all have grown up reading agony aunt columns and the idea was to have a similar thing on radio. The challenge was to keep the host a mystery so that a general connect can be established with the audience. Anonymity when you are dealing with sensitive matters of the heart and relationships is an asset. So here was this show where the host was just ‘Love Guru’ and the listener could himself remain anonymous and find a shoulder to pour their grief on. The show was aired on Radio City in Delhi and Mumbai initially and it was aired post midnight as it deals with a lot of sexual queries and myths along with relationships. Down the years the timing was advanced to late evenings, as the listenership grew. The tone of the queries also changed from initial ones relating to sex and just love to now when people feel the comfort of asking Love Guru about their career, domestic lives, issues with parents everything, its heart warming and very satisfying.
How has radio evolved over the years?
I would say radio come a full circle. Before the advent of television the only source of entertainment for people in India was Radio. Then with the onslaught of television, radio died its death. But with the revival of radio in the form of private FM channels, its like history repeating itself. It’s the cheapest mode of infotainment, right from the music that is played to the Jock talks, to the interaction with the listeners, radio has become a constant companion for all caste creed social status no bar.
RJs have become the face of the stations today. You think it is important for an RJ to be seen along with being heard?
It’s like a double edged sword. Yes, human feelings say that you should be seen when you are known, just the idea of being popular is a kick. But the flip side is with your voice the audience makes a certain image of you and sometimes in person that image is shattered. So, if RJs are just heard its absolutely fine after all its all about the right sound not the visuals.
Does being tied to a particular time slot affect you?
Well I have hosted shows on evening prime time and afternoon slots also as a regular RJ. But for ‘Love Guru’, not really as the show has gained its cult status on this time band only. I also think that the tone and the nature of the show is totally justified by the time slot it is on- late night leisure listening. So at the end of the day it’s the popularity of the show and by default of the host that matters and there are no regrets.
You have been long associated with Radio City. What do you have to say about RJ’s who keep switching the stations?
Frankly career it is a matter of opportunities and an individual’s choice. For Love Guru and Radio City its been a perfect relationship lasting for seven years and many more to come.
Do you feel added responsibility since listeners turn to you for their problems and grievances?
Of course, we cannot afford to be frivolous. Here you have people who are actually pouring their grief out to you and you need to make the right choice of words and tone to soothe their nerves so that nothing affects the sensibilities.
You think RJ’s today act responsibly?
Yes, I think most of them do act responsibly.
Do you think radio jocks should be regulated for what they speak on air? How much self censorship do you follow?
We RJs are already governed by certain rules of the land, so we are already in check for that matter. But its always better not to cross certain lines and hurt someone, be it a listener or a group. For me yes, I have been a little careful about my choice of words. Sensitive subjects need to be dealt with equal sensitivity and regard. For example, you would never find me advising couples facing resistance from their families to go ahead and marry against their wishes. Plus when it comes to sexual queries the terms and phrases used are very carefully chosen as to not sound obscene or offensive.
You are also the recipient of Promax Award and RJ of the Year’ (Hindi) Award at the India Radio Forum. How do you these awards help and encourage you?
Awards are always welcomed and give a morale booster, the only flip side is they make you hungry for more. But the comforting thought of you being recognized for your effort amongst your fraternity is something which really gives you a solid kick!
One thing you would like to change about the radio sector.
One thing that should be done is to add news to broadcast and hopefully if we have multiple frequencies some stations can experiment with unique formats.
What do you think is the future of radio sector with the onset of Phase III?
It is going to be a boon for all, the listeners, the people who work for radio, advertisers. It will be a wave that will sweep the entertainment sector!
What’s next on the anvil?
There may be some surprises in store, wait for them to unfold!
Send in your comments to: harpreet.khokhar@indiantelevision.co.in
