If radio has become an important part of our day to day lives, the credit goes to the radio jockeys who educate and entertain us with their non-stop talking. On the occasion of Radio Day, here are some of our favourite Tamil RJs, who also turned actors to continue entertaining us on screen.
Mirchi Siva
Siva, who worked in Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, is a sarcastic RJ. He takes people around the world with his shows, and that has gained him his listener base. The best part about him as an RJ, is that he makes people laugh while maintaining a serious tone.
He made his acting debut with 12B, directed by Jeeva, where he played an uncredited role. But he rose to fame after his performance in the Venkat Prabhu directorial Chennai 600028 and Saroja. He then featured in Thamizh Padam, a spoof of big Tamil films. His role as Karthik in Chennai 600028 created a space for him in cinema.
His upcoming films are Party directed by Venkat Prabhu, and Shiva Poojayil Karadi directed by P Senthil.
Ramesh Thilak
Thilak, the famous RJ of Suriyan FM 93.5, became known as Thillu Mullu Ramesh for his jovial attitude on air. He is known for his rapid and fun-filled shows. He played the character of Azhagesan alias Al Gates in Star Vijay’s college drama serial Kana Kaanum Kaalangal, after which he entered Tamil cinema in an uncredited role in Mankatha. He made his breakthrough in films with Nalan Kumarasamy’s Soodhu Kavvum, and Alphonse Putharen’s bilingual film Neram.
His first time as a lead actor was in Vijay Sethupathi’s maiden production Orange Mittai. Later he acted in Demonte Colony, Oru Naal Koothu, Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, Kaala and Tik Tik Tik. He has also acted in Malayalam films like Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram and Oru Vadakkan Selfie.
Ramesh was last seen in the Ajith Kumar-starrer Viswasam, and in the Malayalam film Kumbalangi Nights. His upcoming films are Sarvakalamayam in Malayalam, and Dharmaprabhu in Tamil. Dharmaprabhu is a fantasy comedy directed by Muthukumaran, also starring Yogi Babu.
Thilak married his colleague Navalakshmi, an RJ at Suriyan FM.
RJ Balaji
Balaji is best known as the host of Big FM 92.7’s The Night Show with RJ Balaji, Take it Easy and the defunct segment Cross Talk. He became popular among youngsters with Cross Talk. On the show, he would made prank calls to unsuspecting victims nominated by a friend, cousin, co-worker or neighbour. He was later called as Cross Talk Balaji, the skills for which he showed in the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. He is best known for repeating the words ‘Ada Cha’, and for his attack on the English language. He has also strongly criticized many Tamil films.
He made his acting debut with a cameo role in Ethir Neechal. He is best known for his characters in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, Pugazh and Vadacurry. Even though he didn’t have a major role in Thaana Serndha Kootam, his performance in the film was a comic one.
On the work front, he has Boomerang, Kee, Yung Mung Sung, Sabaash Naidu and Walter. He is also awaiting the release of LKG, a political satire written by him. He plays the lead in the film, with Priya Anand.
Ma Ka Pa Anand
Anand is an actor and TV host, who first worked as an RJ for six years with Radio Mirchi in Dubai. He has hosted Airtel Super Singer, Athu Ithu Ethu, Kings of Dance, KPY Champions, Mrs. Chinnathirai and Cinema Kaaram Coffee.
He made his acting debut with the film Vanavarayan Vallavarayan in 2014, alongside Krishna. He has been praised by Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi who said that Anand was the one who gave his band an opportunity to prove themselves to a wide audience. The troupe’s famous ‘Club’le Muble’ was first sung on a Radio Mirchi show, after which it became a huge hit.
On the work front, Anand has Maanik directed by Martyn, and Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum directed by Ranjit Jeyakodi.
Suchitra
Suchitra, who is also known as RJ Suchi, was popular for her morning show Hello Chennai. Her distinct and bold voice gained her a huge fan base. She is still the host of a radio show called Flight983 on Radio Mirchi, which airs on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. The show deals with interesting international happenings.
A few years after becoming an RJ, she started singing and worked as a dubbing artist for popular heroines like Shriya Saran. Although she did not act in many films, she became a popular singer in the south Indian cinema with songs like Uyirin Uyire from Khaka Khaka, Excuse Me from Kanthaswamy, Chinna Thamarai from Vettaikaaran, Dia Dia Dole from Avan Ivan and Vaada Bin Lada from Mankatha. She has acted in films like Jay Jay, Ayudha Ezhuthu and Bale Pandiya.
Senthil Kumar
RJ Senthil Kumar is a television serial actor who played the lead character in the sensational Saravannan Meenatchi. He made his debut as a film actor in Thavamai Thavamirundhu. He was famous for his show Neenga Naan Raja Sir. It was a special program on the music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and aired between 9 to 11 pm, from Monday to Saturday.
He completed the show in 2016 and started a new show called Sentilin Sutta Kadhai (Senthil’s stolen stories), which told interesting short moral stories from around earth. In fact, Senthil is said to be the guru for RJ Balaji, who said he was in a good position because of Sethil.
Mirchi Sha
Mirchi Sha is another RJ who is full of energy. He, along with RJ Vijay, entertain people for four hours on their program Rettai Vaal. They have discussions about everything under the sun, and have also created short video clips to discuss public issues in a sarcastic way.
Sha made his acting debut in Vikram Prabhu’s Thuppaki Munai.
Sindhu
RJ Sindhu, who worked with Fever 104 FM and 91.9 FM, acted in some well-known television shows like Kings of Comedy Juniors and Mrs. Chinnathirai. She made her cinema debut with Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, where she played the daughter of Senapathi (Prakash Raj).
Image Courtesy: Suchitra – YouTube, Senthil Kumar – NewsBugz, Mirchi Sha – OneNov, RJ Sindhu – CineIcons
