Radio Mirchi, Aditi , Shrikant & Sud. Review on Radio Mirchi

I started listening to FM before one year as with the new job I have to drive 60 KM a day (to and fro) and with the terrible traffic in Pune City , I have to spent atleast 3 to 4 hours driving.

Mostly I used to listen from 8 AM to 10.30 AM and during evening 7 PM to 9 PM and sometimes upto 10.30 PM to 11.00 PM.

Well - FM has almost become a habit and for the first time in my life I started giving updates (mostly traffic updates) through a forum.

Radio Mirchi is the only frequency to which I listen to - mostly because old habit die hard!

It was Anirudh who was shining in the morning slot in the beginning but later on he left the group. I came to know that he got a good offer from an FM station based in Middle East. But Radio Mirchi celebrated his exit in a unique way which caught my attention. They have announced in air that public can meet him at Radio Mirchi Office on the last day of his exit. Also, Aditi who was handling the "Purani Jeans" section was called for to join Aniruddh in the last day show. It was she who took over the prime slot.

Some thing about Aditi - She is quite succesful in creating the image of "girl next door" and relate well with the listeners. No hi - fi RJ slang - Pure Marathi , Hindi and English , mellowed comments, no nonsense approach, energetic and keep the listeners engaged through out. Also, there was a series "Music Guru" anchored by her where she was speaking to eminent music directors, lyricists - -- like A R Rahman, Prasoon Joshi ----. I rate this as one of the best lot I ever came across. She was quite balanced and handled the show with absolute confidence. I have seen only guys handling the prime slots in other channels and even Radio Mirchi operating from other cities. But kudos to the management to identify the talent in Aditi and she is doing an excellent job.

Smita, Rahul & Shruti ---- I have not heard enough to comment. So, skipping to Shrikant directly.

Well - the bubbling hero of Radio Mirchi - full of energy, enthusiasm and pranks...... B to B is his show in the evening. What is so unique in Shrikant is that he keep the listeners totally engaged, might be his humour, comments and if not noise atleast. While the song is playing he will come in between uttering "Radio Mirchi 98.3 - It's hot" in his own unique way - not even a moment we are away from Shrikant. And if he is not there during the evening - definitely I will be missing him a lot.

Also - he is a guy whom I think true to his heart - I could feel his excitement after speaking to Sachin Tendulkar where he commented "Main ne abhi abhi mere bhagwan se baat kiya----". Also, when there was a huge bad traffic in Pune before 2 weeks, he extended his timings and used to give traffic updates during the "Purani Jeans" show. Wowww my friend --- you only can do it. Keep rocking.

And the party man "Sud". Who ever conceptualise this prodigy ---- goodness, hats off to him. I thought, it was a PJ series --- but it is something more to it. Sud is a very unique character who reads jokes from a book even quoting the position and page number. More than joke, his reaction to the joke and his laughter is more interesting. Small things in Sud's life - --- he broken affair with Roseline, His frustration with boss, His parrot "Mitu" and finally his marriage with "Manju Rani" ---- all are being so beautifully conceived that we fall in love with him. I am not sure - what is truth or what is prank ---- But if he is really getting married, wish him all success. (Just kidding, I know it is only a a practical joke)

"Hey Shrikant - Sometimes, I wonder - whether it is you only who change voice and come as Sud?"

No idea --- but Sud's jokes are being broadcasted in Mumbai also.

Oflate some one informed me that it is "Sunil Grover" who is giving life to Sud. Till then I always suspected poor Shrikant.

Finally a small personal incident -

I have participated in a contest organised by Shrikant where we have to explain some unique experience we had in SIngapore and if you win, you will get gift worht 100 Singapore Dollar. I was stuck in traffic and hence decided to participate. Well, I got through and Shrikant announced in air that I am the lucky one who will get gift.

I was quite happy but even after a week, I have not got any response and hence I wrote a small mail to Shrikant. No reply.

I called Radio Mirchi and this time RJ Rahul attended the phone. He told me that he will convey message to Shrikant.

One more week no response. I ringed Shrikant - and to my surprise, he remembered my name and consoled me that he will definitely get back to me.

One more week - No response. I lost my cool. I marked a mail to all RJs of Radio Mirchi statitng that I am not asking for gift but this appraoch to a listener is something which I never expect etc.

It was a sunday - and to my surprise I got a call from Aditi. She apologised and assured me that by next day she will get a resolution. I was quite unhappy with the way in which they treated me but kudos to Aditi - it is very difficult to be angry with you.

Next day I got a mail from Shrinkant explaining the reasons why it was delayed. Also, his usual pranks like "sir jeee galti hogayi, pleeejj maaf kardo" etc. I was not convinced and wrote back stating that I didnot get any email response even if I mailed him.

Again response from Shrikant came - their mail servers were getting upgraded and many responses were not received sent. Also, the most catchy statemen was - "It is such a unique experience that he can't blame me even if I suspect that all excuses are being fabricated".

Well - I understood their intentions are not bad and they were responding well to my mails. Last week I collected my gift and met Shrikant the great. He was amazed with my height!!!

I am amazed by the customer service of Team Radio Mirchi. I will definitely listen to it till the time Aditi, Shrikant and Sud is around! Keep rocking!