MUMBAI: She’s not called the Queen of 94.3 My FM for nothing. RJ Meenakshi is a vibrant humorous personality who has been ruling the hearts of her listeners in Chandigarh for the last nine years. Radioandmusic.com caught up with the bubbly RJ to know more about her life and work. Excerpts –
How did you start your journey as an RJ? How has the journey been so far?
My journey as an RJ was so much a ‘luck by chance’ thing. After completing my BSc in Chemistry, I decided I wanted to do something more exciting. Then a friend told me of these auditions for radio jockeys, and I went along for the fun of it. Till then, I had not heard a single RJ, so I had my own unique style. The mentors liked it and I was chosen in an audition (similar to Roadies) from among a crowd of a thousand people. I never looked back after that. The journey has been super exciting so far. It has been nine years of this love affair with radio and I have got so much love from my listeners and celebrities. In 2014 being selected as the Best RJ by the India Radio Forum and representing my country in the International Radio Festival Zurich was the high point of my career; many more awards and being exposed to a national and international audience has set me on a dream platform that I never want to let go of.
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Tell us more about your show?
I host the breakfast show ‘Salaam Chandigarh’ and this is a 360-degree full power packed show. From giving every national, international, Bollywood, sports and most important local updates, to a first time ‘On Air’ radio editorial, this show has it all. The most fun segment of my show is TOPI (it is a prank call and we also do CELEB TOPI).
What is the most interesting thing about RJing?
I present a new-fangled me every day. Each day is super exciting because so much happens in the city and nation. Moreover, letting the world know things in my style gives me an unparalleled high. It’s like an everyday theater show. Also, the special bond that I have built with the listeners makes it a treat to go and open that fader of my mike and say GOODWAALA MORNING CHANDIGARH!
What is the USP of your show?
The listeners’ connect that I have and breaking a lot of information regarding the city is our USP. Even the local administration uses ‘Salaam Chandigarh’ as a platform to disseminate information and discuss the topic of future developments of the city.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strength is that I can make listeners laugh and cry; they trust me. I can make a person laugh his/her heart loud when I do a TOPI or I can make the listener pick up the phone and call me on a Sunday morning when I did a special show on the juvenile accused being acquitted in the Nirbhaya case. My weakness is my absolute love for radio. I am 24*7 connected to radio, thinking – what more can I do? How I can keep listeners amused, add value to their lives? So yes, I am never out of that radio zone.
How active are you on social media? Do you think it is important?
I am pretty active on all social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and I have a decent fan following in all these (trust me, I am being modest !).
But, on a serious note, I think social media is extremely important in recent times as my listeners are connected to me through it. So whatever I take on air, I make sure to share it on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and I get an instant response and even feedback.
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
I am definitely looking ahead for more challenges, more innovations and strengthening my listener connect even further. I want to do something that has been never done on Radio.
