He lives up to his expectation of being the funny man. He fools around with the listeners as he plays brainless pranks on them by impersonating someone on his show Sunset Samosa.
Riding high following his win at the India Radio Foum Awards and in a quirky interview with Radioandmusic.com’s Harpreet Khokhar, Radio Mirchi’s RJ Naved tickles the funny bone with his one-liners.
How did you kick-start your journey into the radio sector?
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I was selected at the Radio Mirchi RJ hunt in 2004 and was given an opportunity to host the night show as Dr. Love. Since 2007, I have been hosting the evening drive time show Sunset Samosa which was earlier known as Bumper2Bumper.
Tell us more about your show on Mirchi? How have things evolved over the years?
Initially my show Bumper to Bumper (now rechristened as Sunset Samosa) was a game show. The show has evolved over the years and we have introduced lot of elements such as Kawali, Aunty, Angrez Chale Gaye Dum chchod Gaye etc, all of these being on-air characters where I voice modulate 5 characters. This being a regular feature on my show helps in providing a wholesome entertainment to my listeners.
What’s the USP of your show?
The daily feature Mirchi Murga is undoubtedly the most unique element of my show. Through Mirchi Murga, I connect with a caller and play a prank on him/her. Towards the end of the call, the receiver gets frustrated with the nuances that I come up with. Eventually when I disclose that its Naved calling from Radio Mirchi on the other side of the phone, it always ends with a laughter encore. This show has won the best Sparkler Award for 2 years in a row at India Radio Forum Awards (IRF). Radio Mirchi Delhi is the only station in New Delhi which has bagged IRF awards this year.
How difficult or easy is it to host a show with a comic element?
To me, it comes very naturally as my on-air and off-air persona is similar.
Does being tied to a particular time slot affect you?
At times it does, however it has become such an integral part of my life that I look forward to my show every day.
You think RJs act responsibly today? How much self censorship do you follow?
Yes, RJs do act responsibly. During times of crisis we provide useful updates and information related to the city. These could be monsoon updates, strikes, security threats or traffic situations etc. which updates listeners about the important and significant happenings.
Unfortunately, I need to follow 100 per cent censorship
You recently won an award at IRF. How much do these awards help? Do they open new facets for you?
Mirchi Murga was awarded the Best Sparkler Award second time in a row. Such awards are a great source of motivation and help us perform even better.
What’s next on the anvil for you? Anything apart from radio.
Yes, I have taken a step towards television, in future I may go towards microwaves, refrigerators, air conditioners!!!
One thing you would like to change about the radio sector.
Would like to change our clothes after each link since we are not seen on-air!!!
What do you think is the future of radio sector with the onset of Phase 3?
Well, it has already happened. We are in Phase III… Okhla Industrial Estate.
Send in your comments to: harpreet.khokhar@indiantelevision.co.in
