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===Radio career===
===Radio career===
Balaji started his career as a radio jockey at Radio Mirchi Coimbatore, where he hosted a three-hour morning drive show called ''Hello Coimbatore'' which dealt with social issues.<ref name="amrita" /><ref name="thehindu2"/> After four years he quit the job as he "didn't want to sound angry all the time" and returned to Chennai where his family and friends were living. He joined at [[BIG FM 92.7]] because they gave him freedom to plan and design his four-hour slot; thus the show ''Take it Easy'' was conceived.<ref name="thehindu2"/> The evening prime-time show was created to give people a "break from the serious stuff that they have to deal with during work hours and relax with the nonsense". Balaji created another segment in ''Take it Easy'', titled ''Cross Talk'', where he made [[prank call]]s to unsuspecting victims, nominated by a friend, cousin, co-worker or neighbour.<ref>{{cite web|first=Madhumitha |last=Srinivasan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/article2342975.ece |title=Take it easy! |publisher=The Hindu |date=10 August 2011 |accessdate=19 June 2013}}</ref> On how the segment developed, Balaji said, "I was assigned to do a serious socially-relevant show in the beginning but Big [FM] gave me the chance to talk about anything in {{‘}}''Take It Easy''{{'}}. Once when I was talking to a couple about something serious, people who listened found it funny. That's how {{‘}}''Cross Talk''{{'}} happened".<ref name="making waves" /> He also said that his nonsense humour and nonstop talking are his [[Unique selling proposition|USP]].<ref name="nonstop" />
Balaji started his career as a radio jockey at Radio Mirchi Coimbatore, where he hosted a three-hour morning drive show called ''Hello Coimbatore'' which dealt with social issues.<ref name="amrita" /><ref name="thehindu2"/> After four years he quit the job as he "didn't want to sound angry all the time" and returned to Chennai where his family and friends were living. He joined at [[BIG FM 92.7]] because they gave him freedom to plan and design his four-hour slot; thus the show ''Take it Easy'' was conceived.<ref name="thehindu2"/> The evening prime-time show was created to give people a "break from the serious stuff that they have to deal with during work hours and relax with the nonsense". Balaji created another segment in ''Take it Easy'', titled ''Cross Talk'', where he made [[prank call]]s to unsuspecting victims, nominated by a friend, cousin, co-worker or neighbour.<ref>{{cite web|first=Madhumitha |last=Srinivasan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/article2342975.ece |title=Take it easy! |publisher=The Hindu |date=10 August 2011 |accessdate=19 June 2013}}</ref> On how the segment developed, Balaji said, "I was assigned to do a serious socially-relevant show in the beginning but Big [FM] gave me the chance to talk about anything in {{‘}}''Take It Easy''{{'}}. Once when I was talking to a couple about something serious, people who listened found it funny. That's how {{‘}}''Cross Talk''{{'}} happened".<ref name="making waves" /> He also said that his nonsense humour and nonstop talking are his [[Unique selling proposition|USP]].<ref name="nonstop" /> Balaji described Radio Mirchi's [[Senthil Kumar]], who taught him radio and its basics at Coimbatore, as his favourite RJ, and said, "whatever I am right now is because of him."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/just-talk/rj-balaji-i-speak-exactly-what-city-wants-hear|title=RJ Balaji: "I speak exactly what the city wants to hear"|work=Radioandmusic.com|accessdate=8 March 2015}}</ref>


''Cross Talk'' became very popular among youths;<ref name="thehindu2" /> he uploaded several clips of the show on [[SoundCloud]]. The links went viral, crossing over a million hits in a mere one week. Besides India, most of the downloads were in the [[United States]] (over 20%), [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Singapore]], [[Seychelles]], [[Germany]] and [[Spain]].<ref name="sound waves" /> The show earned him the moniker "Cross Talk Balaji".<ref name="making waves" /> In November 2011, Balaji and radio jockeys Muthu and [[RJ Ophelia|Ophelia]] of BIG FM conducted "Little RJ Hunt", a three-phased event organised as part of the radio station's [[Children's Day (India)|Children's Day]] celebrations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/game-for-the-hunt/article2670435.ece | title=Game for the hunt | work=The Hindu | date=29 November 2011 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/big-little-rj-hunt-a-success/article2663979.ece | title=Big little RJ hunt, a success | work=The Hindu | date=27 November 2011 | accessdate=16 January 2015 | author=T. S. Atul Swaminathan}}</ref> Balaji won the RJ of the Year (Tamil) and Best Programme Broadcast after 11am (Tamil) awards for ''Take it Easy'' at the 2012 Indian Excellence in Radio Awards.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.afaqs.com/media/media_newslets/index.html?id=54307_92.7 | title=92.7 BIG FM's RJ Balaji Bags Two awards at the Indian Excellence in Radio Awards 2012 | publisher=Afaqs.com | date=5 June 2012 | accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adgully.com/irf-2012-mirchi-takes-the-cake-red-fm-gets-best-station-recognition-50247.html |title=IRF 2012; Mirchi takes the cake; RED FM gets best station recognition |publisher=Adgully.com |date= |accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> Later he was named amongst the Top 10 Promising Personalities of Tamil Nadu in 2012 by [[Ananda Vikatan]] Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/rj-balaji-named-amongst-top-10-promising-personality-tamil-nadu-2012 |title=RJ Balaji named amongst top 10 Promising Personality of Tamil Nadu in 2012 &#124; Editorial-News |publisher=Radioandmusic.com |date= |accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> Balaji was the host for the 2013 event "BIG Manasa Thotta Singer" that was conducted by BIG FM.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Who-will-sing-in-Anirudh%E2%80%99s-next/2013/06/18/article1639645.ece|title=Who will sing in Anirudh’s next?|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref> He has also been running the "RJ Balaji Skool of Radio Studies" since August 2013.<ref name="diarrhoea" /> Two [[mobile app|apps]] on Balaji have been developed: An [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app simply named "RJ Balaji",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=h.thunderbird.phoenix.rjbalaji&hl=en | title=RJ Balaji&nbsp;— Android-apps op Google Play | publisher=[[Google Play]] | date=16 April 2013 | accessdate=23 January 2014}}</ref> and an [[iOS]] app titled "RJ Balaji Official".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rj-balaji-official/id604341685?mt=8 | title=RJ Balaji Official on the App Store on iTunes | publisher=[[iTunes]] | date=30 July 2013 | accessdate=23 January 2014}}</ref>
''Cross Talk'' became very popular among youths;<ref name="thehindu2" /> he uploaded several clips of the show on [[SoundCloud]]. The links went viral, crossing over a million hits in a mere one week. Besides India, most of the downloads were in the [[United States]] (over 20%), [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Singapore]], [[Seychelles]], [[Germany]] and [[Spain]].<ref name="sound waves" /> The show earned him the moniker "Cross Talk Balaji".<ref name="making waves" /> In November 2011, Balaji and radio jockeys Muthu and [[RJ Ophelia|Ophelia]] of BIG FM conducted "Little RJ Hunt", a three-phased event organised as part of the radio station's [[Children's Day (India)|Children's Day]] celebrations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/game-for-the-hunt/article2670435.ece | title=Game for the hunt | work=The Hindu | date=29 November 2011 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/big-little-rj-hunt-a-success/article2663979.ece | title=Big little RJ hunt, a success | work=The Hindu | date=27 November 2011 | accessdate=16 January 2015 | author=T. S. Atul Swaminathan}}</ref> Balaji won the RJ of the Year (Tamil) and Best Programme Broadcast after 11am (Tamil) awards for ''Take it Easy'' at the 2012 Indian Excellence in Radio Awards.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.afaqs.com/media/media_newslets/index.html?id=54307_92.7 | title=92.7 BIG FM's RJ Balaji Bags Two awards at the Indian Excellence in Radio Awards 2012 | publisher=Afaqs.com | date=5 June 2012 | accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adgully.com/irf-2012-mirchi-takes-the-cake-red-fm-gets-best-station-recognition-50247.html |title=IRF 2012; Mirchi takes the cake; RED FM gets best station recognition |publisher=Adgully.com |date= |accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> Later he was named amongst the Top 10 Promising Personalities of Tamil Nadu in 2012 by [[Ananda Vikatan]] Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/rj-balaji-named-amongst-top-10-promising-personality-tamil-nadu-2012 |title=RJ Balaji named amongst top 10 Promising Personality of Tamil Nadu in 2012 &#124; Editorial-News |publisher=Radioandmusic.com |date= |accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> Balaji was the host for the 2013 event "BIG Manasa Thotta Singer" that was conducted by BIG FM.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Who-will-sing-in-Anirudh%E2%80%99s-next/2013/06/18/article1639645.ece|title=Who will sing in Anirudh’s next?|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref> He has also been running the "RJ Balaji Skool of Radio Studies" since August 2013.<ref name="diarrhoea" /> Two [[mobile app|apps]] on Balaji have been developed: An [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app simply named "RJ Balaji",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=h.thunderbird.phoenix.rjbalaji&hl=en | title=RJ Balaji&nbsp;— Android-apps op Google Play | publisher=[[Google Play]] | date=16 April 2013 | accessdate=23 January 2014}}</ref> and an [[iOS]] app titled "RJ Balaji Official".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rj-balaji-official/id604341685?mt=8 | title=RJ Balaji Official on the App Store on iTunes | publisher=[[iTunes]] | date=30 July 2013 | accessdate=23 January 2014}}</ref>
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Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well. In September 2011, he judged ''Channel Surfing'', a segment of ''Smaraneeyam'', the inter-school cultural festival of [[Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/student/article361857.ece|title=The showstoppers of Smaraneeyam|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=8 March 2015}}</ref> In December, he participated in "Namma Ooru Website Creation Competition", an initiative jointly organised by [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]]' Rural Technology and Business Incubator and the [[National Internet Exchange of India]] to disseminate village-specific information and create an identity for villages.<ref name="village" /> He hosted the teaser trailer release event for ''[[Maattrraan]]'' in June 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/twin-role/article3631315.ece | title=Twin role | work=The Hindu | date=12 July 2012 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=K. R. Manigandan}}</ref> and was briefly a host of [[STAR Vijay]]'s dance show ''Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva''.<ref name="diarrhoea"/> One of his earliest film appearances was ''[[Azhagiya Theeye]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/azhagiya-theeye/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549657404/channelid-10000000006620000/starttime-201501040200|title=Azhagiya Theeye Movie On J Movies&nbsp;— Times Of india|work=The Times of India|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> In ''[[Puthagam]]'' (2013), he introduces the lead characters played by [[Sathya (actor)|Sathya]], Sanjay, Vignesh and [[Rakul Preet Singh]], in a voice-over.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Puthagam/movie-review/18085499.cms | title=Puthagam Movie Review | work=The Times of India | date=19 January 2013 | accessdate=17 February 2015 | author=Siddharth Varma}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/15668.html | title=Puthagam&nbsp;— A Slow page turner | work=IndiaGlitz | date=17 January 2013 | accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref> In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in ''[[Ethir Neechal (2013 film)|Ethir Neechal]]'' on request from his friends,<ref name="tempting"/><ref name="Took it Easy" /> and made his full-fledged acting debut in ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]''.<ref name="thehindu2"/>
Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well. In September 2011, he judged ''Channel Surfing'', a segment of ''Smaraneeyam'', the inter-school cultural festival of [[Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/student/article361857.ece|title=The showstoppers of Smaraneeyam|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=8 March 2015}}</ref> In December, he participated in "Namma Ooru Website Creation Competition", an initiative jointly organised by [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]]' Rural Technology and Business Incubator and the [[National Internet Exchange of India]] to disseminate village-specific information and create an identity for villages.<ref name="village" /> He hosted the teaser trailer release event for ''[[Maattrraan]]'' in June 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/twin-role/article3631315.ece | title=Twin role | work=The Hindu | date=12 July 2012 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=K. R. Manigandan}}</ref> and was briefly a host of [[STAR Vijay]]'s dance show ''Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva''.<ref name="diarrhoea"/> One of his earliest film appearances was ''[[Azhagiya Theeye]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/azhagiya-theeye/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549657404/channelid-10000000006620000/starttime-201501040200|title=Azhagiya Theeye Movie On J Movies&nbsp;— Times Of india|work=The Times of India|accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> In ''[[Puthagam]]'' (2013), he introduces the lead characters played by [[Sathya (actor)|Sathya]], Sanjay, Vignesh and [[Rakul Preet Singh]], in a voice-over.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Puthagam/movie-review/18085499.cms | title=Puthagam Movie Review | work=The Times of India | date=19 January 2013 | accessdate=17 February 2015 | author=Siddharth Varma}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/15668.html | title=Puthagam&nbsp;— A Slow page turner | work=IndiaGlitz | date=17 January 2013 | accessdate=19 December 2013}}</ref> In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in ''[[Ethir Neechal (2013 film)|Ethir Neechal]]'' on request from his friends,<ref name="tempting"/><ref name="Took it Easy" /> and made his full-fledged acting debut in ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]''.<ref name="thehindu2"/>


Balaji was a performer at [[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering]]'s annual cultural festival ''Instincts'' in March 2012.<ref>http://www.ssn.edu.in/pdf/volume%2020.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/high-on-fun/article2994450.ece|title=High on fun!|author=NIVEDITHA VENUGOPAL|work=The Hindu|accessdate=8 March 2015}}</ref> He has conducted the event ''Mr. and Ms. Techofes'' at the [[College of Engineering, Guindy]]'s annual cultural event [[Techofes]] twice, in 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818075717/http://www.coolage.in/2012/02/26/an-awesomatic-of-the-aaromale-night-with-rj-balaji/ | title=An 'Awesomatic of the Aaromale' night with RJ Balaji | publisher=Coolage.in | date=26 February 2012 | accessdate=25 June 2014 | author=Archana Rajendran}}</ref> and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0uCU9bTRKM|title=RJ Balaji's Mr. and Ms. Techofes 2013|author=RJ Balaji|work=YouTube|date=7 June 2013|accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> He was also the compère of the audio launch of ''[[Kalyana Samayal Saadham]]'', which took place in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Stars-line-up-for-Kalyana-Samayal-Sadam/2013/08/05/article1718204.ece|title=Stars line up for Kalyana Samayal Sadam|work=The New Indian Express|date=5 August 2013|accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> Balaji was the host of [[Zee Tamizh]]'s ''[[Why This Kolaveri]]'', a loose adaptation of the American reality show ''[[Killer Karaoke]]'', which aired in December 2013,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/being-balaji/chennai/outofthebox/4159 | title=Being Balaji | publisher=The New Indian Express | work=Indulge | date=27 December 2013 | accessdate=15 January 2014 | author=Mrinalini Sundar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/tv/Why-this-Kolaveri--a-TVshow/articleshow/28337376.cms | title=Why this Kolaveri&nbsp;— a {{sic|nolink=y|TVshow}} | work=The Times of India | date=4 January 2014 | accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> and ended in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zeetamizh.com/shows/y-kolaveri | title=Y this Kolaveri | work=[[Zee Tamizh]] | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> He appeared in a brief role as a show host in ''[[Vallinam]]'' (2014).<ref name="tempting"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-vallinam-is-a-decent-sports-based-drama-film-south/20140303.htm |title=Review: Vallinam is a decent sports based drama film |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=6 March 2014}}</ref> His second film appearance in 2014 was in ''[[Vaayai Moodi Pesavum]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-speak-season/ | title="Vaayai Moodi Pesavum"... Speak season | publisher=Baradwajrangan.wordpress.com | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=25 June 2014 | author=[[Baradwaj Rangan]]}}</ref> followed by a major role as the title character in ''[[Vadacurry]]''.<ref name="Vadacurry" /> His next film appearances will be in ''[[Yatchan]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/RJ-actor-Balaji-to-Wait-and-Watch/2014/06/24/article2296078.ece | title=RJ-actor Balaji to Wait and Watch | work=The New Indian Express | date=24 June 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014 | author=S. Subhakeerthana}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/speaking-his-way-to-success/article6186180.ece | title=Speaking his way to success | work=The Hindu | date=7 July 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014 | author=Subha J. Rao}}</ref> ''[[Naanum Rowdydhaan]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rj-balaji-join-hands-with-vijay-sethupathy-news-tamil-omgnfmjeahjhh.html | title=RJ Balaji join hands with Vijay Sethupathy | work=[[Sify]] | date=6 December 2014 | accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Naanum-Rowdy-Dhaan-first-schedule-wrapped/articleshow/45729343.cms | title='Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' first schedule wrapped | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=1 January 2015 | accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Pugazh]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/pugazh/pugazh-photos-pictures-stills.html#2 | title=PUGAZH&nbsp;— IMAGES (2 of 12) | publisher=[[Behindwoods.com]] | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref>
Balaji was a performer at [[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering]]'s annual cultural festival ''Instincts'' in March 2012.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.ssn.edu.in/pdf/volume%2020.pdf | title=Instincts 2012 – The Best Instincts Ever | author=Rohit Subramanian | journal=Vibrations | year=2012 | month=April | volume=20 | pages=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/high-on-fun/article2994450.ece|title=High on fun!|author=NIVEDITHA VENUGOPAL|work=The Hindu|accessdate=8 March 2015}}</ref> He has conducted the event ''Mr. and Ms. Techofes'' at the [[College of Engineering, Guindy]]'s annual cultural event [[Techofes]] twice, in 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818075717/http://www.coolage.in/2012/02/26/an-awesomatic-of-the-aaromale-night-with-rj-balaji/ | title=An 'Awesomatic of the Aaromale' night with RJ Balaji | publisher=Coolage.in | date=26 February 2012 | accessdate=25 June 2014 | author=Archana Rajendran}}</ref> and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0uCU9bTRKM|title=RJ Balaji's Mr. and Ms. Techofes 2013|author=RJ Balaji|work=YouTube|date=7 June 2013|accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> He was also the compère of the audio launch of ''[[Kalyana Samayal Saadham]]'', which took place in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Stars-line-up-for-Kalyana-Samayal-Sadam/2013/08/05/article1718204.ece|title=Stars line up for Kalyana Samayal Sadam|work=The New Indian Express|date=5 August 2013|accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> Balaji was the host of [[Zee Tamizh]]'s ''[[Why This Kolaveri]]'', a loose adaptation of the American reality show ''[[Killer Karaoke]]'', which aired in December 2013,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/being-balaji/chennai/outofthebox/4159 | title=Being Balaji | publisher=The New Indian Express | work=Indulge | date=27 December 2013 | accessdate=15 January 2014 | author=Mrinalini Sundar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/tv/Why-this-Kolaveri--a-TVshow/articleshow/28337376.cms | title=Why this Kolaveri&nbsp;— a {{sic|nolink=y|TVshow}} | work=The Times of India | date=4 January 2014 | accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> and ended in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zeetamizh.com/shows/y-kolaveri | title=Y this Kolaveri | work=[[Zee Tamizh]] | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> He appeared in a brief role as a show host in ''[[Vallinam]]'' (2014).<ref name="tempting"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-vallinam-is-a-decent-sports-based-drama-film-south/20140303.htm |title=Review: Vallinam is a decent sports based drama film |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=6 March 2014}}</ref> His second film appearance in 2014 was in ''[[Vaayai Moodi Pesavum]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-speak-season/ | title="Vaayai Moodi Pesavum"... Speak season | publisher=Baradwajrangan.wordpress.com | date=3 May 2014 | accessdate=25 June 2014 | author=[[Baradwaj Rangan]]}}</ref> followed by a major role as the title character in ''[[Vadacurry]]''.<ref name="Vadacurry" /> His next film appearances will be in ''[[Yatchan]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/RJ-actor-Balaji-to-Wait-and-Watch/2014/06/24/article2296078.ece | title=RJ-actor Balaji to Wait and Watch | work=The New Indian Express | date=24 June 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014 | author=S. Subhakeerthana}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/speaking-his-way-to-success/article6186180.ece | title=Speaking his way to success | work=The Hindu | date=7 July 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014 | author=Subha J. Rao}}</ref> ''[[Naanum Rowdydhaan]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rj-balaji-join-hands-with-vijay-sethupathy-news-tamil-omgnfmjeahjhh.html | title=RJ Balaji join hands with Vijay Sethupathy | work=[[Sify]] | date=6 December 2014 | accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Naanum-Rowdy-Dhaan-first-schedule-wrapped/articleshow/45729343.cms | title='Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' first schedule wrapped | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=1 January 2015 | accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Pugazh]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/pugazh/pugazh-photos-pictures-stills.html#2 | title=PUGAZH&nbsp;— IMAGES (2 of 12) | publisher=[[Behindwoods.com]] | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref>


In March 2014, Balaji claimed to have been a presenter at Sangarsh, an annual charity concert that raises money for people suffering from various diseases.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/happy-notes/article5823541.ece | title=Happy notes | work=The Hindu | date=24 March 2014 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=Udhav Naig}}</ref> In August 2014, Balaji hosted the show "Aiyo Amma Awards", a spoof of the [[Vijay Awards]], on Zee Tamizh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/tv/RJ-Balaji-mocks-Vijay-Awards-on-Zee-Tamizh/articleshow/40495990.cms|title=RJ Balaji mocks Vijay Awards on Zee Tamizh|work=The Times of India|accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref> The same month, he gave an intro in [[The Madras Song]], a tribute to the 375th anniversary of [[Chennai]], formerly known as Madras.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqtE4KdJL8&feature=youtu.be | title=The Madras Song | publisher=YouTube | work=[[Murugappa Group]] | date=18 August 2014 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/resonating-with-the-spirit-of-the-metropolis/article6330941.ece | title=Resonating with the spirit of the metropolis | work=The Hindu | date=19 August 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, Balaji created "Panjumittai Productions", a [[YouTube]] channel where he uploads short videos dealing with contemporary issues. The first video uploaded to the channel is "Kai Phone Video 01: RJ Balaji’s Biriyani!!!", featuring Balaji distributing parcels of [[biryani]] to impoverished people on the road. The second, "Kai Phone Video 02: RJ Balaji’s 501 Views Success Party!!!", is a satire on the "success parties" that production companies host to celebrate the apparent box office success of their films.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tube-watch-rjs-videos-present-snapshots-of-issues/article6625436.ece | title=Tube watch: RJ’s videos present snapshots of issues | work=The Hindu | date=23 November 2014 | accessdate=26 November 2014 | author=Udhav Naig}}</ref> The third and last video he uploaded on the channel to-date is "Kai Phone Video 03 | RJ Balaji Abusing Sachin Tendulkar..!".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvmzxqfqIUDvG9an4ZToxg/videos|title=Panjumittai Productions|work=YouTube|accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref> Balaji has also played in the 2015 edition of the [[Celebrity Cricket League]], for the team Chennai Rhinos as an [[all-rounder]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Kollywood-stars-all-set-to-play-cool/articleshow/45808559.cms | title=Kollywood stars all set to play cool | work=The Times of India | date=9 January 2015 | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/celebrity-cricket-league-ccl-jiiva-replaces-vishal-krishna-skipper-chennai-rhinos-619853|title=Celebrity Cricket League (CCL): Jiiva Replaces Vishal Krishna as Skipper of Chennai Rhinos|date=9 January 2015|work=International Business Times|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> At the 2015 edition of Techofes at the Guindy College of Engineering, he hosted a new show titled ''Boost with Balaji'' on 14 February.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://guindytimes.com/articles/techofes-diaries-a-day-at-saas-office | title=Techofes Diaries&nbsp;— A Day at SAAS Office | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/RJ_Balaji/status/566591454022082561 | title=All set fr a super saturday.! First Big awards then to Techofes 2015..! | publisher=Twitter | date=14 February 2015 | accessdate=17 February 2015 | author=RJ Balaji}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guindytimes.com/articles/soup-concert-and-boost-with-balaji-a-grand-end-to-techofes-15 | title=Soup Concert and Boost with Balaji - A Grand End To Techofes'15 | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref>
In March 2014, Balaji claimed to have been a presenter at Sangarsh, an annual charity concert that raises money for people suffering from various diseases.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/happy-notes/article5823541.ece | title=Happy notes | work=The Hindu | date=24 March 2014 | accessdate=17 January 2015 | author=Udhav Naig}}</ref> In August 2014, Balaji hosted the show "Aiyo Amma Awards", a spoof of the [[Vijay Awards]], on Zee Tamizh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/tv/RJ-Balaji-mocks-Vijay-Awards-on-Zee-Tamizh/articleshow/40495990.cms|title=RJ Balaji mocks Vijay Awards on Zee Tamizh|work=The Times of India|accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref> The same month, he gave an intro in [[The Madras Song]], a tribute to the 375th anniversary of [[Chennai]], formerly known as Madras.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqtE4KdJL8&feature=youtu.be | title=The Madras Song | publisher=YouTube | work=[[Murugappa Group]] | date=18 August 2014 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/resonating-with-the-spirit-of-the-metropolis/article6330941.ece | title=Resonating with the spirit of the metropolis | work=The Hindu | date=19 August 2014 | accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, Balaji created "Panjumittai Productions", a [[YouTube]] channel where he uploads short videos dealing with contemporary issues. The first video uploaded to the channel is "Kai Phone Video 01: RJ Balaji’s Biriyani!!!", featuring Balaji distributing parcels of [[biryani]] to impoverished people on the road. The second, "Kai Phone Video 02: RJ Balaji’s 501 Views Success Party!!!", is a satire on the "success parties" that production companies host to celebrate the apparent box office success of their films.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tube-watch-rjs-videos-present-snapshots-of-issues/article6625436.ece | title=Tube watch: RJ’s videos present snapshots of issues | work=The Hindu | date=23 November 2014 | accessdate=26 November 2014 | author=Udhav Naig}}</ref> The third and last video he uploaded on the channel to-date is "Kai Phone Video 03 | RJ Balaji Abusing Sachin Tendulkar..!".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvmzxqfqIUDvG9an4ZToxg/videos|title=Panjumittai Productions|work=YouTube|accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref> Balaji has also played in the 2015 edition of the [[Celebrity Cricket League]], for the team Chennai Rhinos as an [[all-rounder]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Kollywood-stars-all-set-to-play-cool/articleshow/45808559.cms | title=Kollywood stars all set to play cool | work=The Times of India | date=9 January 2015 | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/celebrity-cricket-league-ccl-jiiva-replaces-vishal-krishna-skipper-chennai-rhinos-619853|title=Celebrity Cricket League (CCL): Jiiva Replaces Vishal Krishna as Skipper of Chennai Rhinos|date=9 January 2015|work=International Business Times|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> At the 2015 edition of Techofes at the Guindy College of Engineering, he hosted a new show titled ''Boost with Balaji'' on 14 February.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://guindytimes.com/articles/techofes-diaries-a-day-at-saas-office | title=Techofes Diaries&nbsp;— A Day at SAAS Office | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/RJ_Balaji/status/566591454022082561 | title=All set fr a super saturday.! First Big awards then to Techofes 2015..! | publisher=Twitter | date=14 February 2015 | accessdate=17 February 2015 | author=RJ Balaji}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guindytimes.com/articles/soup-concert-and-boost-with-balaji-a-grand-end-to-techofes-15 | title=Soup Concert and Boost with Balaji - A Grand End To Techofes'15 | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:09, 8 March 2015

Template:Distinguish2

RJ Balaji
File:RJ Balaji Music Academy 2013.jpg
Balaji at the Madras Music Academy, during the Hiphop Tamizha concert in 2013
Born
Balaji Patturaj[1]

(1985-06-20) 20 June 1985 (age 39)
NationalityIndian
Other namesCross Talk Balaji
Occupation(s)Radio jockey, television show host, actor
Years active2006–present

Balaji Patturaj (born 20 June 1985) popularly known as RJ Balaji, is an Indian radio jockey, television show host and occasional actor based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is best known as the host of the BIG FM 92.7 show Take it Easy and its now defunct segment Cross Talk, where he made prank calls to unsuspecting victims. He is also known for his acting roles in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013) and Vadacurry (2014).

Early life

Balaji was born on 20 June[2] 1985,[3] and was raised in Chennai. He has said that he changed 24 houses and 11 schools while growing up in Chennai.[4] He failed in the twelfth grade once.[5] After completing his B.Sc computer science from the Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts in 2006,[6] he joined the Amrita School of Communication in Coimbatore for a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism,[7] because he wanted to become like his cousin who worked at NDTV, but when he was asked to write a report on his hostel's canteen, the 56-word report contained 47 grammatical errors, and he soon realised that English journalism was not what he was interested in.[4] At that time he saw a newspaper advertisement of a radio station (Radio Mirchi Coimbatore) that auditioned for RJs and he applied for it,[8][5] though he "never knew what an RJ was back then".[4] He said that he almost did not get selected then[9] when he sang a gaana[4] but was finally selected in November 2006. He has not completed his journalism course since.[4]

Career

Radio career

Balaji started his career as a radio jockey at Radio Mirchi Coimbatore, where he hosted a three-hour morning drive show called Hello Coimbatore which dealt with social issues.[7][4] After four years he quit the job as he "didn't want to sound angry all the time" and returned to Chennai where his family and friends were living. He joined at BIG FM 92.7 because they gave him freedom to plan and design his four-hour slot; thus the show Take it Easy was conceived.[4] The evening prime-time show was created to give people a "break from the serious stuff that they have to deal with during work hours and relax with the nonsense". Balaji created another segment in Take it Easy, titled Cross Talk, where he made prank calls to unsuspecting victims, nominated by a friend, cousin, co-worker or neighbour.[10] On how the segment developed, Balaji said, "I was assigned to do a serious socially-relevant show in the beginning but Big [FM] gave me the chance to talk about anything in 'Take It Easy'. Once when I was talking to a couple about something serious, people who listened found it funny. That's how 'Cross Talk' happened".[8] He also said that his nonsense humour and nonstop talking are his USP.[5] Balaji described Radio Mirchi's Senthil Kumar, who taught him radio and its basics at Coimbatore, as his favourite RJ, and said, "whatever I am right now is because of him."[11]

Cross Talk became very popular among youths;[4] he uploaded several clips of the show on SoundCloud. The links went viral, crossing over a million hits in a mere one week. Besides India, most of the downloads were in the United States (over 20%), United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Seychelles, Germany and Spain.[3] The show earned him the moniker "Cross Talk Balaji".[8] In November 2011, Balaji and radio jockeys Muthu and Ophelia of BIG FM conducted "Little RJ Hunt", a three-phased event organised as part of the radio station's Children's Day celebrations.[12][13] Balaji won the RJ of the Year (Tamil) and Best Programme Broadcast after 11am (Tamil) awards for Take it Easy at the 2012 Indian Excellence in Radio Awards.[14][15] Later he was named amongst the Top 10 Promising Personalities of Tamil Nadu in 2012 by Ananda Vikatan Group.[16] Balaji was the host for the 2013 event "BIG Manasa Thotta Singer" that was conducted by BIG FM.[17] He has also been running the "RJ Balaji Skool of Radio Studies" since August 2013.[18] Two apps on Balaji have been developed: An Android app simply named "RJ Balaji",[19] and an iOS app titled "RJ Balaji Official".[20]

In December 2012, Balaji discontinued Cross Talk, in response to the death of Jacintha Saldanha.[21][22] In November 2013, Balaji decided to stop the segment 120 Rs. on his show where he reviewed Tamil films, after he had been severely criticised by actors and producers from the Tamil film industry.[23] A few months before, he had also been threatened by an employee from UTV Motion Pictures for his review of Settai.[22][24][25] Via Twitter, he announced, "I am a normal guy who wants to do good work everyday and go home happy. I can't really handle aftermath of every show on films. After a lot of thought, I have decided not to speak about films until there's tolerance and maturity among certain people from film fraternity, which is most unlikely to happen. So, '120 show' is no more".[22] He further stated, "I don't want to keep taking my work home. I have a one-and-half-year-old child and my wife is concerned about the phone calls I keep getting".[23] As of July 2014, the show still runs, where he only reviews Hindi and English-language films.[26] In July 2013, Balaji said that he would try remaining a radio jockey for at least 15 years, which he believes "no one has done in Chennai."[27]

After India's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar told in the Rajya Sabha that legal action would be taken against radio jockeys who ridicule members of parliament, Balaji in August 2014 cryptically told Deccan Chronicle, "When I was a teenager I would fight with my sister for a room. Today parliamentarians are doing the same thing, fighting like teenagers. How can I not make fun of them?", while fearing that even television anchors like Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai would be banned soon.[28] In January 2015, Balaji, radio jockeys Girigiri, Ananthi, Mirdhula and actor R. Sarathkumar contributed to "Kodu Kondadu", an initiative by BIG FM and the non-governmental organisation BHUMI to supply impoverished children with stationary, toys and books.[29][30] In February, he was a host of the BIG Tamil Melody Awards at Chennai Trade Centre.[31]

Other works

File:Techofes 2013 cultural fest gallery 13.jpg
Balaji conducting Mr. and Ms. Techofes, 2013

Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well. In September 2011, he judged Channel Surfing, a segment of Smaraneeyam, the inter-school cultural festival of Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School.[32] In December, he participated in "Namma Ooru Website Creation Competition", an initiative jointly organised by IIT Madras' Rural Technology and Business Incubator and the National Internet Exchange of India to disseminate village-specific information and create an identity for villages.[1] He hosted the teaser trailer release event for Maattrraan in June 2012,[33] and was briefly a host of STAR Vijay's dance show Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva.[18] One of his earliest film appearances was Azhagiya Theeye (2004).[34] In Puthagam (2013), he introduces the lead characters played by Sathya, Sanjay, Vignesh and Rakul Preet Singh, in a voice-over.[35][36] In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in Ethir Neechal on request from his friends,[37][6] and made his full-fledged acting debut in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru.[4]

Balaji was a performer at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering's annual cultural festival Instincts in March 2012.[38][39] He has conducted the event Mr. and Ms. Techofes at the College of Engineering, Guindy's annual cultural event Techofes twice, in 2012[40] and 2013.[41] He was also the compère of the audio launch of Kalyana Samayal Saadham, which took place in August 2013.[42] Balaji was the host of Zee Tamizh's Why This Kolaveri, a loose adaptation of the American reality show Killer Karaoke, which aired in December 2013,[43][44] and ended in May 2014.[45] He appeared in a brief role as a show host in Vallinam (2014).[37][46] His second film appearance in 2014 was in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum,[47] followed by a major role as the title character in Vadacurry.[25] His next film appearances will be in Yatchan,[48][49] Naanum Rowdydhaan,[50][51] and Pugazh.[52]

In March 2014, Balaji claimed to have been a presenter at Sangarsh, an annual charity concert that raises money for people suffering from various diseases.[53] In August 2014, Balaji hosted the show "Aiyo Amma Awards", a spoof of the Vijay Awards, on Zee Tamizh.[54] The same month, he gave an intro in The Madras Song, a tribute to the 375th anniversary of Chennai, formerly known as Madras.[55][56] In November 2014, Balaji created "Panjumittai Productions", a YouTube channel where he uploads short videos dealing with contemporary issues. The first video uploaded to the channel is "Kai Phone Video 01: RJ Balaji’s Biriyani!!!", featuring Balaji distributing parcels of biryani to impoverished people on the road. The second, "Kai Phone Video 02: RJ Balaji’s 501 Views Success Party!!!", is a satire on the "success parties" that production companies host to celebrate the apparent box office success of their films.[57] The third and last video he uploaded on the channel to-date is "Kai Phone Video 03 | RJ Balaji Abusing Sachin Tendulkar..!".[58] Balaji has also played in the 2015 edition of the Celebrity Cricket League, for the team Chennai Rhinos as an all-rounder.[59][60] At the 2015 edition of Techofes at the Guindy College of Engineering, he hosted a new show titled Boost with Balaji on 14 February.[61][62][63]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Puthagam Voice only
2013 Ethir Neechal Himself
2013 Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru Karna
2014 Vallinam Show host
2014 Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Himself
2014 Vadacurry Karikalan alias Vadacurry
2015 Yatchan Filming
2015 Naanum Rowdydhaan Filming
2015 Pugazh Filming

References

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External links

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