For the last eight years, RJ Malishka has been hosting “Morning No. 1”, the breakfast show of Indian network 93.5 Red FM’s Mumbai station.

She has also supported various charitable causes and hosted a travel show on a television channel.

Asia Radio Today speaks to her as she shares her experiences in the radio industry.

 1. How do you get up early every morning for eight years, entertain a big city like Mumbai and stay on form?

Oh! It’s not easy waking up but it is always exciting.  I love my job. It has all the elements of a masala potboiler – action, emotion, drama and songs.

I love the fact that I get to “wake up” all my listeners with a resounding “Goood Morning” and tell them something new every day!! Mumbai, famously known as the “city that never sleeps”, is always on the move, making me realize that people want to be heard and they want to speak.

My show aims to strike a chord with the average Mumbaikar and feel the pulse of the city; reach out to the common man and have an interesting mix of music, fun and major issues.

2.  Have you ever considered another profession?

I remember a fan calling me  and saying that he had been listening since I started out on radio and added that I should always be on air since I would not be able to do anything else! Perhaps, I really was destined to be in radio. Having said that, I believe radio came at the right time when I was ready for it.

RED FM has grown and taken me from place to place and the level of confidence in me as a person has increased considerably through radio. I have always enjoyed being a performer anyway and I do other things like host events and tv shows.

I’ve done a travel show called ‘It happens only in India’ and a reality show about women and I have recently started a Youtube Channel called Malishka Unleashed too. I think while doing radio, I can also extend my brand in many interesting ways  and  do all this and more. It is  a very satisfying journey.

3.       How do you take a show like yours forward. Where can it go next?

Many places. Relevance is the key  and  necessity is the mother of invention – and we make sure we move with the times. We plan our show and yet we are spontaneous.

My team on the  “Morning No.1” show constantly strives to be innovative, relevant and fun. We research, get our facts in order and then set out to have loads of fun with it. It gives me a great boost to not just be  entertaining but also be socially relevant. So campaigns like Bajao for a Cause or Pothole Utsav keep me very driven.

My listeners too contribute with stories, events  and matters they would like me to take up. I take that very seriously. Radio is a very powerful medium  and I love giving people a voice. As long as people have that voice and things to say there will be no dearth of ideas.

4.       What made you decide to become a youth ambassador for the elections?

93.5 RED FM has associated itself with the Election Commission of India to encourage people to vote in the general elections 2014. The EC approached me to be the Youth Ambassador for Mumbai to spearhead the “Dabaa Ke Bajaa” campaign by RED FM.

I felt honoured to be a part of this initiative.This title came with a huge responsibility and I believe we’ve done it well. The Election Commission decided to choose a right ambassador for the cause who would  convey the message to VOTE!

Today RJs (like actors and sportspersons, etc) have become “Youth Icons” whose opinions are taken seriously  by the general public. This time around one can see the excitement among the youth who are actively discussing politics and my job is to keep that momentum going (through my show) and make people aware of their rights and duties.

It has been very fulfilling for us to see everyone – young and old came out in large numbers to pave the way for our future government.

5.       What difference has your campaign made and what have you learned from the experience?

The “Dabaa Ke Bajaa” campaign received over 2,50,000+ pledges in less than 24 hours since it started in Mumbai wherein Mumbaikars from all walks of life made a pledge to vote in the general elections 2014.

We had roadshows across the city to solicit people to go and exercise their right to vote on Polling Day in Mumbai. We had so many people calling in to tell us that they were inspired by our campaign so much so that people who hadn’t voted in years went out and voted.

We received a tremendous response both on and off air from the people and this was seen by the increase in the percentage of voters who went and cast their vote.The E.C itself acknowledged that the campaign was responsible for major awareness and a better voter turnout.

This entire experience has been humbling, to say the least, and it feels good to be associated in a noble cause that can help in shaping the future of our country.