Be Yourself, Audience Knows What Is Original And What Is A Copy - RJ Kalpesh Vaya

 

RJ Kalpesh Vaya


One needs to be funny, witty, politically and socially aware and opinionated and also one needs to know the audience well. Different age groups have different taste so you need to catch that. Otherwise, it takes less than a second for a listener to switch the channel. 


1. Tell us about your background and journey. Give a short biography of yourself.

Hailing from a family where government jobs top the priority list when it comes to choosing a career. I was a studious and a throughout topper kid and also an Almost CA. This is one of the reasons that my parents never thought of me being an RJ or a part of the Entertainment industry in any case.

I dropped CA to be a Radio Jockey. My journey started with 95 Fm Tadka followed by working for 92.7 BIG FM. Then I took a break from Radio and worked as a teleshopping anchor for Gemporia and now I work for 93.5 Red FM as a morning jock.


2. Why did you choose RJing as a career and what were the first steps you took?

I never planned for it. It happened to me automatically. I always wanted to do something that entertains people but RJying was never on the bucket list. 

I took part in an RJ hunt organised in Udaipur. Out of thousands of participants winning that hunt came to me as a blessing and that’s what kickstarted my journey as a Radio Jockey. 


3. What challenges can one face during live calls?

Too many.. literally too many... I can’t name one or two. There are several because you don’t know what mood the person, on the other hand, is in.


4. What are the skills required to be a radio jockey?

One needs to be funny, witty, politically and socially aware and opinionated and also one needs to know the audience well. Different age groups have different taste so you need to catch that. Otherwise, it takes less than a second for a listener to switch the channel. 


5. Does one also need to be technologically savvy in your favourite?

You need not be an engineer but yes you need to know the basics.


6. What makes a person connect with their audience as an RJ?

Content and honesty. Be yourself, develop your own content and style. Audiences like the real stuff, not the copied one. They are clever enough to judge and they know what is original and what is a copy. 


7. Which is your favourite book?


Champak and Balhans for real and forever. But to sound cool, I read Paulo Coelho.


RJ Kalpesh Vaya (RJ at Superhits 93.5 Red Fm)

Interviewed By Tuhina Rana