In Conversation with R J Balaji

RJ Balaji or now as a filmmaker Balaji, what feels closer to your heart?

Each of them plays a different role in life. Me as a husband, a son, a father, etc. I wish to perform well in all dimensions of me, Not just one dimension. We cannot say there is one thing that is more special to me. I can never say, I have to be a good husband, but not a good father. All these things are part of a puzzle and when everything comes together, that is what makes RJ Balaji. All these pieces complete the puzzle.

Did the early start as an RJ give you an advantage as a presenter and a creative person? Did you ever feel that completion of that unfinished journalism course would have given a different direction to your journey?

I have completed the journalism course back then, But, I do not think that has changed my perception at all. As a matter of fact, I am someone who exaggerates things a lot. But, journalism in its true sense does not do that. I think I have learned more from the 1 year that I spent as a student on a university campus. Things like staying at a university campus help you identify one’s raw energy and mold your character, which will open up one’s perspective. The times I spent with some great professors outside the classroom mostly, my casual discussions with you have helped me learn a lot. Sharing a room with people from different states and languages has equipped me better to face the outside world.

With the emergence of podcasts and private radio channels, the audio entertainment industry is witnessing a boost. Having a trailblazing career on radio, what advice would you like to give to budding voice artists?

Today is a world of opportunity, when I started the world of the internet had little penetration, social media engagements were very limited. I think people should be open to taking up new challenges, I started the sound cloud thing as a part of Job and learning as I work. On the flip side, since the internet has able to bring people a lot closer, a radio jockey’s content for example from a small place like tutukudi has to compete with other Radio Jockey from Tamil Nadu since the internet is accessible to all. For this, you need to prepare yourself to compete against the best and constantly learn and keep you updated on your skills.

Cross-Talk is one of your most popular shows. Can you share any memorable incidents related to this show?

The one episode with Mary John mam, a single retired woman is very special to me. One of her neighbors had reached out to me and asked me to do a cross-talk show with her. After some years, I got to know from the same neighbor that Mary John had passed away, but during the last few months of her life, she kept listening to the cross-talk episode regularly and enjoyed it with laughter. She lived alone during her last days, memories like these make you feel good.

Was taking steps towards acting and film-making a conscious decision or it happened in the flow of your career growth?

I in fact did not even plan to become an RJ in the first place. I never planned to get into movies too. It just happened. I am someone who is ready to take up any job and do it with a lot of sincerity and passion. Even if I start a tea shop or Ironing shop, I would like to be known as the best in that. If you are happy doing anything while doing it, then the result is bound to come.

Tell us a bit about your latest movie and how did the journey as a young director make you see things from a different perspective? What is the most crucial thing that you feel is necessary to sustain in this competitive entertainment industry?

I want to unwind myself for some time and spend more time with my family. I am not planning anything immediately.

Tell us a bit about your personal life, hobbies, likes, and dislikes. If not an RJ or filmmaker, what would you have been?

I got married to the love of my life Divya at a very young age. I have two kids now, Aryan and Mahant. I think getting married at a young age has helped me get used to taking responsibility at a young age and managing a family, this has made me a better person. I did make a lot of mistakes, but I learned quickly. My wife is my classmate from college and getting married to a friend was the best thing.

I like playing sports cricket and table tennis. I do not like technology, computers, I do not know how to do it, I do not like it.

In many of your interviews, you had mentioned the importance of a change in our education system, what do you suggest. Be changed?

A college and school should also focus a student on life lessons and constantly update the curriculum based on the fast-paced world. During my days, a YouTuber was nothing, now it is a career option for many. Colleges should amend their curriculum in a timely manner, A virtual-communication student should be taught about platforms like YouTube.

An academic curriculum should be related and meeting the demands at your workplace. Courses should be designed accordingly. And practical classes should be given emphasis too, for example, at the very basic level, If a student is studying Environmental science, they should able to at least grow and nurture a tree during a semester.

These things have to be proactively done by the policymakers and institutes administration and should change soon. These are things I wish for.

At Sharing Stories, we have an ongoing campaign ‘Empowering Our Kids’ where we are trying to encourage and inculcate reading habits from a young age. We are trying to pick up 20 to 30 must-read books for children and try and make them available at our library in Jaipur, also take this initiative across the globe. Please suggest some books which you think every child should read before the age of 15 (mostly the character-defining age).

Anything that is aimed at helping the next generation is always a welcome initiative. There is no two opinions about it. Books are like medicines; some medicines may suit someone while others don’t it is a very subjective thing. Kids should be able to pick anything and everything which is accessible to them. A reading habit shall be something that should start from parents. A parent should be able to spend time with a child and read out stories to them. Keep books on shelves and places which is accessible to kids. Parents should be able to convey the importance of books and knowledge to children right from a young age.

For an adult, if he or she hasn’t read a book yet, the interest should start from self and should be a personal need to better oneself. But, imagine if this starts at an early age, it becomes much easier. At a young age, when parents help children to brush their teeth in the morning and later on it becomes a natural habit for the child. Reading could become a habit if it starts from a young age.

In regard to what should be read, I believe every bit of information is always useful. A small piece of paper used to hold a samosa or bonda also might have some valuable information. So it should be completely up to the child to decide what to read. But, making the habit the habit of reading is up to parents.

Rapid Fire Round

Favorite Place, Person, Food, beverage, movie – Home, Grand Father, Homemade, a glass of cold water, minnale
Your other Talents – Cricket, I love singing
Your First Love – Divya
Favorite Quote –“If you wish to be second follow me”
Favorite Character from a book – Arulmozhivarman from Ponniyin Selvan
Role Model – My friend Sujith Kumar an HR from Matram Foundation – An NGO focused on providing free higher education for deserving students from an economically deprived background. He is someone who has changed many lives and I wish to be like him.

What if Round

What if you had to live with only three things all your life, what would the three things be? – Family, my House, Groceries. So that I can stay with my family for the rest of my life.
What if you were given the power to change one thing from this world, what would you change? – Hunger. I wished to stop hunger. This is the world where someone is earning in lacks and having assets worth 1000 crores and at the same time someone who cannot afford a single meal a day.
What if you had all the money in this world, what would you do first? – I want to remove hunger from this world.