24 year old RJ Ayushmann is the new kid on the block on Big 92.7 FM, hosting the evening drive time slots for Big Delhi. With a background in television and theatre, this guy with the appealing looks and voice could be the quintessential ladies' man but Ayushmann claims to be close to his mother. "The world doesn't know that my life is almost a reality show," he quips. Aaishwari Chouhan in an one-to-one conversation with the absolute 'Punjabi munda' of Big 92.7 FM.

Excerpts:

Punjabi Munda to the core - is that your USP?

Being Punjabi helps a lot with the local connect for the people of Delhi. So you can call it my USP.

Being the new kid on the block, what strategy are you following to leave a mark on your listeners?

I just speak the language that my listeners speak. I am not a radio announcer and don't want to be considered one... I would rather be their friend.

After doing television, what made you opt for radio? Did you always want to step into the radio industry?

On television, before Balaji, I was a part of all the reality shows, so I havev never experienced the acting bit. Radio is a good breathing ground for an actor. The art of modulating the voice can only be learnt in this amazing medium.

Does hosting a particular prime slot matter to you?

It's all about doing your work and giving your 100 per cent to the show. I think doing a prime time show is wonderful, but doing a non- prime time show is more challenging. I experienced this when I was doing the afternoon show that I started with and was given the breakfast show later on.

What's your take on the trend of radio jockeys changing jobs frequently within the industry?

It's bound to happen, since there is too much of competition. In order to sustain themselves, people sometimes go overboard and they take combative stands rather than being just competitive in the right spirit.

How difficult is it for a TV personality to make it big on radio?

It's easier for a TV personality to make it big on radio. Initially, every RJ has the freedom of anonymity and always strives to be popular among the masses. On the other hand, a TV actor is already popular and brings in his own audience.

How did you groom yourself before taking the evening show with Big?

Before the evening drive-time show, I was doing the Breakfast show for which we were given three months' training at MICA in our initial days with Big.

How do you prepare yourself to give the proactive info on your show to your listeners?

I read lots of newspapers and stay in touch with different people from different walks of life.

After Winning eight awards for the best actor in just one year of your five years of theatre experience, are you planning to attain a similar mark in the radio industry?

Theatre is all about facial expressions and larger than life body movements; however, radio is also the theatre of the mind…

How difficult will it be for you to manage jockeying and playing the lead for the upcoming show on Zee Next?

So far, it's not difficult and I can only hope it would be the same in the future as well.

What are your plans now?

I live in the present, so I have plans to improve in both - my shows on radio and TV.

Who do you look up to as your mentor or guru?

I look up to my mother for her patience, I look up to my father for his wisdom and I look up to Mr Tarun Katial (Big FM COO) for his vision in life and his trust in me.