TELE EXPRESS
RADIO DAYS
You saw them in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. She has just danced her way into your hearts by winning Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. He is making you laugh on The Comedy Show Ha Ha Ha. Now, Mona Singh and Gaurav Gera have embarked on another career. This time on radio with Big FM as hosts of a breakfast show. Our correspondent speaks to the popular TV stars
Ruchika Talwar
Mona Singh
* After your success in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and your winning debut as a dancer in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, why did you decide on radio?
I always want to try new things, explore new territory. Tarun Katial, the COO of Big FM was with SET when I was doing Jassi and he coaxed me into trying this new medium. It has helped me reach out to a larger audience and connect with them on a personal note.
* How do you find your role as a RJ?
I was always a people's person. My dad being an army officer, I have travelled the length and breadth of the country and hence made friends wherever I went. So, talking to new people and striking a cordial note with them comes naturally to me.
* Describe the show?
My best on-screen buddy Nandu and I do a breakfast show on BIG FM 92. 7. My welcome note is: "Dilli, ab subah ki chai ki pehli pyaali mere saath pijeeye. Look out for me." And that is how we set the ball rolling. We play a lot of songs, ask people about their lives, problems, funny incidents. It's pretty interesting.
* Ramp, ad films, a mega hit daily soap, dance-based reality show and now radio; should we expect to see you in movies sometime soon?
It's been a so-far-so-good story for me. I am keen on doing movies, just waiting for a good offer to walk my way!
Gaurav Gera
* You are working with Mona again. How did this come about?
Actually, Mona and I are such thick friends that she can start a sentence and I can complete it. Tarun Katial knew that we could speak each other's language. India's entertainment industry—be it films or Tv—had never told people that a boy and a girl could have a platonic relationship also. But after Jassi... clicked, one could see school boys and girls dressed up as little Jassis and Nandus in fancy dress competitions or just rolling out of their school buses.
* Of the two, you have more experience than Mona in the performing arts, i. e., theatre, dance shows, TV...
Yes, I've been around for longer. These days I perform gags in The Comedy Show Ha Ha Ha on Star One. I love playing Lala Kamarnath, a spoof on India's first test captain, Lala Amarnath.
* What about movies?
I have already acted in two movies: Kyun Ho Gaya Na and Neal 'n' Nikki. A third movie—MP3 (Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar) is slated for release some time soon and shooting for the fourth—Woodstock Villa—has just begun. Its a Sanjay Gupta movie. I am looking forward to it.
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