MUMBAI: She is intelligent, enthusiastic and futuristic. Well we are talking about RJ and programming head of Oye! Shradha Singh, who started her career as an EP (executive producer) on a television show, and then took up a job at a radio station. During her journey she also tried her hand at television writing that bagged her two Indian Television Awards -- one for ‘Halla Bol’ and the second for ‘MTV Exit’.

Currently, Singh is busy writing a book and wishes to publish it sometime soon. This one’s an enlightening conversation with Singh.  

When and how did you get into radio?

I was working as EP (Executive Producer) on Balaji Telefilms’ ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ and Radio was launching Phase II. Around this time I decided to try my luck in radio and got through as an RJ at Radio City, Jaipur. I was a morning Jockey there, but soon after I moved to Delhi to work at that Radio City station. I stayed in Delhi for three years and then shifted to Radio One, and finally Oye! FM. 

Why did you move from RJing to part-time RJing and full-time radio programming?

I have done Broadcast Management from MICA hence; management is something that I always wanted to do. But then I had an artistic instinct and that is how RJing happened. But I continue to RJ a weekend show ‘Love Diaries’ for Oye! FM. 

What are a programming head’s responsibilities?

A programming head is responsible for all the content that goes on-air and off-air. He/ she is supposed to deal with the creative and emotional bunch of people working around. Moreover, they have to deal with RJs who are creative, mad and completely crazy. 

Are there times when you lose your calm?

I am a very meditative person. I always ask my team to respond to situations and not react to them. I am also a life-coach at the radio station. There are times when one has to motivate the RJs if they are not in a very good mood. Maintaining a happy work culture is of utmost importance.  However, there is a term that I have learnt from Radio City, CEO, Apurva Purohit ‘Tough Love’. I follow it. One must love their people but be tough when required. 

How do you balance RJing and programming?

My show requires extensive research as it is about Bollywood couples’ love stories. Hence, I read a lot of biography and I research in my free time. Moreover, I have read the biography of many celebrities in the past and that helps me with my show. So, my show does not demand special preparation time. I usually have all the material in place. Plus programming is an everyday work. So, all of it is not too tough. 

What are the must have ingredients for a good radio show?

The show must have some kind of connect with the listeners. It can be an emotional, social, utility or comic connect. Usually the programming team works on these things while working on a show though it all looks impromptu. Plus in this age of digitalisation 360 degree planning on social media too is important to give the show and the RJ good mileage.

What’s next for you?

I want to take my career to a different level in phase three by designing a radio station. Most of us follow the herd race. We work on a format that everyone is working on but there are so many formats waiting to be explored. I want to work with a station that will give me an opportunity to explore that space.