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Master of words

Careers with a dash of glamour and a continuum of novelty fascinate the millennials the most.

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Geetu Vaid

Careers with a dash of glamour and a continuum of novelty fascinate the millennials the most. And this is the reason why off-beat career track is witnessing the maximum traffic these days. If there is a field that offers glamour, space for creativity as well as good money, then it is radio jockeying. RJs have, over the past few years, emerged as celebrities with massive fan following on the social media and in real time too. And it is this factor that is drawing a number of youngsters towards this career. 

For all those nursing the dream of becoming an RJ, the name of Khurafati Nitin is not an unfamiliar one. This 92.7 BigFM Delhi RJ has done his graduation in Bachelor of Arts (BA) English Honors from KMC, Delhi University, and is currently India’s most awarded RJ.  He started his career in 1999 with AIR. He has been felicitated with numerous prestigious awards like; RAPA, Promaxx and Paranshree award. He is also the recipient of 3 Media Federation of India Awards, 2 Indian Achiever’s award for the ‘Best Radio Jockey’ across India for CSR initiatives on radio and 3 prestigious ‘New York Festival awards’. He has also been awarded the title of ‘Most Popular Radio Jockey of Delhi’ by Ormax Media.  

Besides being an RJ, he has been a television presenter, well-known theatre artist and has produced over 45 plays.  But it wasn’t a conscious decision for him to enter this field, as he says, “The decision to become an RJ wasn’t a planned one. I gave an audition for a presenter at AIR after a suggestion from my maternal uncle during my final year in the college days. Once at AIR, I started loving what I was doing. That’s when I decided I will make a career in this profession.  I have completed around 17 years and have been a part of the transformation in the industry. It's been an amazing journey so far”. 

In an interview, he shares what it takes to be a successful RJ, besides talking about the challenges and high points of this career. Excerpts: 

What are the unique aspects of a career in radio, especially as an RJ?

As an RJ, you have the opportunity to share your opinions with a large audience. And as they say, with such a power comes tremendous responsibility. As RJs, we have the potential to influence and inspire people, making it more imperative to be conscious of our opinions. This is one of the few professions that give you the power to share your own thoughts and opinions that impact people on such a large scale.  

What are the basic soft skills that a person interested in radio should have and how can these be honed?

A person interested in radio should be highly inquisitive, a life-long learner, friendly, witty and must possess a good command over language. To hone these skills, people can join voice-training classes, media courses or even opt for theatre as the stage trains your personality, teaches you discipline, timing and also involves voice- training methods.  

In order to become a successful RJ what sort of academic qualification or courses should one have? 

The success of any RJ depends on a number of factors. Right from having a firm grip over the audience's preferences, to successfully presenting shows and keeping listeners engaged as well as possessing good knowledge about the technicalities involved.

What are the challenges that one will face in this profession?

An RJ has to deal with multiple challenges, when on-air or even with the changing media landscape. An RJ has to be a quick learner and adapt easily; for example, when live on-air and owing to a technical issue, a listener's demand cannot be met, then an RJ has to think quickly and tackle the situation. Similarly, an RJ's role today is not limited to the radio. We as RJs are required to do on-ground activities, interact with people and also be a part of digital campaigns. So, if you don't learn quickly or don't mould yourself to fulfill the growing demands, then you can easily be overtaken in this competitive field.

How much can one earn?

The package ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh per annum to even Rs 20 lakh per annum. Just as any other profession, the growth depends on the individual's performance.

What is the future in this industry from the perspective of growth and job openings?

The industry has grown tremendously and has evolved into a vibrant medium that it is today. There is a high demand amongst aspiring professionals to make their careers in the field. I believe anyone who is truly passionate about the field and knows what they are doing, will always be able to carve a place for themselves in the industry.

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