I want to be lucky as Hrithik: Anuraag Pandey

I want to be lucky as Hrithik: Anuraag Pandey
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 5 March:
Apart from the beaches and Bollywood, those hooked on to entertainment in Mumbai never lose an opportunity to listen to the dozen FM radio stations. For many Mumbaikars, whether on their way to offices or colleges, tuning in to FM channels is a must.

So popular are the RJs, who number about 50 for the dozen FM stations in Mumbai, that Bollywood producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra based the plot of Lage Raho Munnabhai around a RJ, essayed by Vidya Balan.

From reel to real gangsters, children, women and the old, FM mania is a reality in metros but is yet to catch up in B and C level cities.

What really makes a popular RJ? Meet Anuraag Pandey, a Mumbai based RJ, who started his FM career in 2002 with WIN 94.6 FM in Mumbai.

Winner of 2002 RAPA Award (Radio and TV Advertising Practitioners Association of India Ltd) for excellence in radio programming, Pandey is presently trying his luck as an actor in Bollywood.

So far, he has also given voice overs in over 1000 ad films, 50 bollywood films including Amitabh starrer Aankhen, Shaheed Bhagat Singh etc, stage compeering, theatre etc.

He also runs an Event Management company called Raag Anuraag Productions in Mumbai, which does dubbing/ voice over works for filmmakers.

While on his way for a short visit to Mussoorie after attending a film shooting schedule in Chandigarh, he took out some time and spoke to Garhwal Post about various issues surrounding the profession of an RJ.

Q. Who are more popular among Mumbai FM listeners: a Male RJ or a female RJ?
There is a misconception that after the popularity of Lage Raho Munnabhai, it is only female RJs whose programmes become hit. Even male RJs do have their own female fan following. During phone in programmes on FM, it is mostly female callers who greet us.

There are about 12 FM radio stations in Mumbai. While some are run independently, many are owned by media houses like Sun TV (RED FM), Mid-day/BBC (Radio One), Times of India (Radio Mirchi), Hindustan Times (Fever) etc.

What has to be understood is that from amongst the 50 RJs in Mumbai, there is always a specific fan following for any RJ. It may be due to different time slots or may be due to his/ her popularity.

Q. When you are on the show, do you always operate using a readymade script about what to say and what not to?
Right now, most RJs working in Mumbai enjoy an average of three hours everyday. During this time, they are often on their own and free to do what they want to discuss with their listeners.

Q. What is the content of what you say/ discuss with your listeners?
RJs generally tend to avoid discussion on current affairs. But some events like the latest terror attacks on Lankan cricketers in Lahore, may find air time owing to the popularity of cricket. However, most often we offer nuggets of wisdom for our listeners, which may be practically implemented in their daily lives. And for this, RJs have a really tough time, catching up with the latest happenings, knowledge about the lives of great people etc. I personally read more than 10 newspapers everyday and regularly go through biographies of great men.


Q. Which programme are you on right now?
I recently left 93.5 RED FM to join FM Fever 104. Earlier at RED, I used to host a programme called ‘Pandey ke Fundey’. But at Fever 104, I am yet to think of a title for my programme. It is supposed to go on air from 17 March in the 11:00 a.m - 2.00 pm slot everyday.

Q. Tell us about the film you are working on right now?
The film is titled ‘Punjab Majra’, which is directed by Owais Hussain, son of painter MF Hussain. Just yesterday, I had completed a 7-day shooting schedule at Chandigarh. The film has music by AR Rahman.
Q. What are your future plans?
I want to become a full time actor in Bollywood. Though I am quite satisfied being a RJ, I feel I have better potential as an actor. I have so far acted in over 18 plays and also directed four plays as well. Like Hrithik Roshan, I too have an extra finger on the right hand but I am not as lucky as him yet (laughs).