A candid chat with RJs Mohit and Vikrant

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) ALONG WITH TV presenter or magazine writer, radio jockey is up there with one of those aspirational forms of employment, providing the bridge between the viewer, reader or listener and the content. A guaranteed audience and a desirable product may make the job appear easy, however € with RJs in particular € the ability to fill dead air with something worthwhile to say is far from simple. Enthusiasm is the name of the game and new Radio Mirchi RJs Mohit and Vikrant, who have recently launched new breakfast show Mirchi Mornings from 6am to 11am, have that in spades. Here we talk to the duo to find out what makes them tick. How did you get into the RJ game? Mohit: A newspaper ad, a little coaxing from friends and a little of 'what the hell is radio jockeying?' led me to appear for an audition for a new radio station that was launching in the city. Only later I realised I was born to be one. Vikrant: The national programming head of Radio Mirchi lost a poker bet with me. That's how! But I love entertaining people, so that came in handy! What makes you stand out from the other hosts out there? Vikrant: The fact that I am a certified fitness trainer and can literally beat them to pulp. I love connecting with people. The fact that I can make them laugh (and sometimes cry) with my jokes and pranks is such a high. Also, not to forget, I am extremely desi-proud. Mohit: Have you seen me? When the package is so good who cares what is on the inside? No, I try and build a connection with my listeners even if it means just sharing a simple laugh. Why Radio Mirchi (to listen to and work on?) Mohit: Because nobody else would hire me! Why work in Radio Mirchi - because Radio Mirchi is the big daddy of all Bollywood radio stations. Everyone even remotely connected to the radio industry wants to work with this highly prestigious brand. It carried the same legacy in the UAE as well. Vikrant: Haven't you heard, 'Radio toh Mirchi hona chahiye.. Virgin toh Salman bhi hai' (Radio should be Mirchi, Virgin is Salman anyway). Why would you not want to work with the best and the biggest desi radio brand? Who do you love to play and why? Vikrant: Yo Yo Honey Singh speaks to my soul. Have you heard him? Aaj blue hai paani aur din hain sunny! waah! What clarity! We are a Bollywood radio station. It doesn't get 'filmier.' Mohit: Bollywood runs in my blood! A lot of it also depends on the demands and choice of my listeners, or bosses as I call them. Are you into competitions? What's your favourite gimmick on the radio? Mohit: Me being on radio itself is a big gimmick and Radio Mirchi is yet to realise it. Vikrant: Have you ever won a lottery? The joy of winning something that you didn't think you could is unparalleled. And if you are the one who is making it possible it makes you want to fly. Radio hosts have a reputation of being a little cheesy. Do you embrace that or do you disagree? How would you characterise the typical RJ? Mohit: Why would you say that? Do you not care about my feelings? It's not what you said, it's how you said it. If asked to characterise a typical RJ, you have to have an opinion and he/she will force it on you because we have a mic and you don't. Vikrant: I love cheesy! Being cheesy is good. If it has the power to make someone happy, I think the world should turn cheesy. A typical RJ is someone who is your instant pick me up - the effect your favourite song has on you, is what your favourite jockey can do. To have your pulse on what drives a city, your listeners and what you do with it sets you apart from other RJs. What is your audience like here in the UAE? Mohit: Desi folks, Bollywood lovers. If you love 'Thumkas' you will love us. Vikrant: Everyone and anyone who loves Bollywood music. It could be your typical desi to that Arab listener who loves Kareena Kapoor just as much. What would you most like to do on the radio? Mohit: Facilitate world peace, find a solution to global warming and, while we are at it, try and be that guy who is going to remind you every single day, as you drive to work getting ready to face the challenges of the day, just how fun it is to be alive!