Geetanjali Soni - I Became Anchor First and Hosted Numerous Celebrity Live Shows on Stage, Gradually TV Happened Then Radio

Be Original, speak clearly with confidence no pretence and just speak if you are speaking to your close friends.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

My journey started very very young with usual society performances, school performances, be it Singing, Dancing playing instruments like Dholak, Banjo and many more.

I was entertainer right from the word go give me an opportunity or stage and I use to be instantly entertaining, Mimicking, family, big crowds everywhere. That's how I started Hosting Live Shows and Became Anchor First and hosted Numerous Celebrity Live Shows on Stage... Gradually TV happened Then Radio.


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

In fact, if I will put it this way that RJing choose me would be more apt. As I mentioned earlier I use to perform quite a lot during my formative years... I did a few TV shows conducting quizzes and Interviewing celebrities. 

From there I started realizing people appreciate my Voice and presentation and Told me I could be an RJ... I already was A journalism student so getting into Radio was just a progression towards Voice Media... I did additional Specialized Radio Course and then got selected for Radio Channel. That's how I became RJ.


3. What challenges can one face during live calls?

Challenges could be many besides Technical Glitches there is always a risk caller can say anything on air which could be derogatory towards religion, Nation, towards any sensitive matter, sometimes towards us... 

And Radio do have norms to follow under no circumstances you can cross the line and create a negative impact and stir Unruly emotion.


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

See with times things have changed allot earlier Radio Jockey had to be very quite articulated, to the point, no foul language, diction has to be perfect... But now with so many private channels coming with various formats presentation skills have changed... 

So current scenario is Be Original, speak clearly with confidence no pretence and just speak if you are speaking to your close friends. But I still prefer not to use (Abe, oye, Yaar) coz you never know whats the age of the other person who is connected.


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

Of course, it's all about Technology now... It's all in the game. Now everything is managed online, all internal procedures, programme summary, playlist everything online... There are softwares which we have to work on to prepare our shows so... Of course, Technology is the key.


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

As I mentioned earlier as an RJ you yourself are the only connect. People need to feel you are talking to them individually, just for the Natural Friendly vibe... 

Of course, Local dialect is big pull if you talk in their local language where you are based at for example in Mumbai Marathi, in Punjab Punjabi and so on... Like in Delhi mix of every language is a big hit.


7. Which is your favourite book?

I have many Favs. Depending on the state of mind I am in😇 but Fiction and spiritual books are my go-to... And I love Indian Authors like Khushwant Singh, Chetan Bhagat... They provide a quite good read.. Rest can't name one Fav. Book coz I like them all.


- Geetanjali Soni (AIR RJ)

Interviewed By Nathan Saul