RJs We Like brings you the sarcastic and humorous RJ Akhil of Radio City. Akhil hosts the Morning Show in Kanpur, which airs from 7 am to 11 am.
MediaBrief.com has created RJs We Like to help the FM Radio industry by highlighting the strong and beautiful human and local connect that only its most valuable asset, the wonderful presenters or Radio Jockeys, popularly known as RJs, can help FM Radio provide across the length and breadth of India.
We thank the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) for its support of RJs We Like.
We hope RJs We Like will help each network and its stations get their popular, hard-working RJs profiled and highlighted in a way that, in the process, will also bring out the USPs and strengths of the network and station. After all, it is the RJs who give FM Radio its invaluable strength of a hyper-local connect that is both – an emotional and empowering link with its listeners.
RJ Akhil from Radio City Kanpur is full of humour with mind boggling PJs and has a soft corner for Samosa in his heart. His sarcasm rubs the funny bones of his listeners and he has all the ingredients to make a great Morning Show.
If there are any wrong-doings in his city, he confronts everyone related to the issue. Apart from that, if you wish to know where to get the best pao-bhaji of the town, just ask Akhil.
He is a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and an avid book junkie and reads 2-3 books at a time. His favorite books are ‘Law of Attraction’, ‘Atomic Habits’, ‘The Compound Effect’, ‘The Big Magic’ and ‘Deep Work’. Apart from his interest in books and food, he also listens to podcasts regularly.
And here’s RJ Akhil of Radio City, on RJs We Like
Tell us about your show, and what it’s all about. What it means to you, and why you like doing it. What makes it unique?
I host the Morning Show in Kanpur city and here we discuss everything which directly has any impact on the city or citizens. Whether it is discussing students of Kanpur trapped in Ukraine or pot-holes on the city roads. If it impacts people, it will be a part of my morning show. During my show, I also try to find answers to the questions raised by my listeners. I like my show because it connects me directly with my listeners on a daily basis.
Were you always planning to be an RJ, or did you sort of stumble onto it?
I used to listen radio but being Radio Jockey wasn’t on the list. After completing my graduation, I developed a special corner in my heart for Radio and decided to become a Radio Jockey. It was an unknown territory for me, but luckily I made it.
Did you undergo any special training to become an RJ?
Nope, I just did my internship at a Radio channel but didn’t have any kind of special training to become an RJ.
What do you like most about being an RJ?
The part I like most is that I can be myself. I can share my emotions, my life with my team, with my listeners and that’s the beauty about being an RJ.
What kind of impact does your show have on the city and its listeners?
I have so many stories for this question but here I will share the one which is closest to my heart. It was couple of years back, I was doing my morning show and read an ad about a missing parrot.
We (I and my producer) thought this must be some kind of joke so we called the number from our studio-line. The guy who answered the call was Jailer of Nagpur Central Jail. He told how he lost his family member ‘the parrot’ and even he was ready to put a price on it.
We understood the gravity of the situation, took this topic on-air and the first caller had the parrot. We were amazed, this clearly shows the power of Radio City. The family still remembers me and sends me the pictures and videos of that parrot from time to time.
List three traits and skills that you consider important for anyone who wants to connect with listeners on FM Radio as an RJ.
Radio Jockey should have at least these three skills, he should be a patient listener, should have an open mind to understand different points of view and should have good communication skills so that the listeners can easily understand him/her.
If someone wants to become an RJ, what kind of training can s/he get? Avenues in and around your city? Any tips?
If you want to be a Radio Jockey, then Radio City’s School of Broadcasting is a great platform for it or you can simply walk-in to a radio station and submit you CV for internship.
Which voices from the radio industry – presenters, newsreaders (Male/Female), others have you liked – growing up, or even your contemporaries. People you’ve learnt from, too, just by listening to them.
Ameen sir, Khurafati Nitin and Mantra.
Who are your most important work partners at your station – Music manager, Producer, Social Media Managers, Native content ad marketers, and why?
If you ask me, I believe every single person mentioned here is important. The Music Manager helps me with good music and the producer helps with content. Same with SM manager and others. You can’t exclude anyone.
On Social and digital, send us your three favourite posts, content pieces, that display your talent?
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CNSKKSrnAU3/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbKi89Xg9nY/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZy7CTLgHMM/
What advice would you give to young people who want to join the Radio Industry either as an RJ or in any other production functions?
One advice to young people is simple, just ask yourself Why Do You Want to be a Radio Jockey if you are 100% convinced with the answer then don’t listen to others and just go for it.
You have a great opportunity and are doing good work. How do you try to make your show more engaging? What is your constant quest as an emotional and welcome connection with listeners’ lives?
I always try to find new and innovative ways to connect with my listeners. For example, I recently got married and I keep on sharing small incidents of being a husband with my listeners and they suggest to me what I should do as a husband by sharing tips. Sometimes, even they share their incidents with me. It’s a whole different connection that I build with my listeners.
Your top 5 favourite songs from the last year, of all time. Also, movies of last year and of all time.
My top 5 songs include Luv Ju, Mann Kesar Kesar, Chaka Chak, Paramsundari and Lehara Do. My favorite movies of all time include Devil’s Advocate, A Few Good Men, The Departed, and all movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In addition, I love watching Marathi movies such as Natsamrat, Natrang, Sairaat, and Banwa Bani. Among Hindi movies, my top picks are Bawarchi, Deewar, Sholay, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, 3 Idiots, Gangs of Wasseypur, Chak De India, Rockstar, Guru, Sardar Udham Singh and recently released Dasvi.
