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'''Balaji Patturaj''' (born 20 June 1985) popularly known as '''RJ Balaji''', is an Indian [[radio personality|radio jockey]], presenter, comedian and 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 call]]s to unsuspecting victims. Although mainly a radio jockey, Balaji is also active in other fields; he is known for his association with the television shows ''Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva'' and ''[[Why This Kolaveri]]'', and for his performance in the films ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]'' (2013) and ''[[Vadacurry]]'' (2014). He has also been a presenter at many inter-school cultural events in Chennai, and has contributed to many social causes.
'''Balaji Patturaj''' (born 20 June 1985) popularly known as '''RJ Balaji''', is an Indian [[radio personality|radio jockey]], presenter, comedian and 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 call]]s to unsuspecting victims. Although mainly a radio jockey, Balaji is also active in other fields; he is known for his association with the television shows ''Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva'' and ''[[Why This Kolaveri]]'', and for his performance in the films ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]'' (2013) and ''[[Vadacurry]]'' (2014). He has also been a presenter at many inter-school cultural events in Chennai, and has contributed to many social causes.


==Personal life==
==Early life==
Balaji was born on 20 June<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/rj-balaji-cutting-cake-with-vadacurry.html | title=A Vadacurry birthday for Rj Balaji |publisher=Behindwoods | date=20 June 2014 | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> 1985,<ref name="sound waves"/> and was raised in [[Chennai]].<ref name="thehindu2"/> He said that his father abandoned his family at an unspecified point.<ref name="big screen">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/balajis-new-plan-for-the-big-screen/article7003444.ece | title=Balaji’s new plan for the big screen | work=The Hindu | date=17 March 2015 | accessdate=18 March 2015 | author=Subha J. Rao}}</ref> Balaji said in a 2013 interview with ''[[The Hindu]]'' that he changed 24 houses and 11 schools while growing up in Chennai, because his "mother just cannot stay in one place. She would move from [[Perambur]] to [[Thiruvanmiyur]] to [[Mylapore]]... no place close to each other."<ref name="thehindu2"/> Years later, on his verified [[Facebook]] page, he said that he lived in 19 areas, 27 houses and studied in 10 schools in his entire life in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rjbalajiofficial/posts/886222481459883|title=RJ Balaji - 19 areas, 27 houses,
Balaji was born on 20 June<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/rj-balaji-cutting-cake-with-vadacurry.html | title=A Vadacurry birthday for Rj Balaji |publisher=Behindwoods | date=20 June 2014 | accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> 1985,<ref name="sound waves"/> and was raised in [[Chennai]].<ref name="thehindu2"/> He said that his father abandoned his family at an unspecified point.<ref name="big screen">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/balajis-new-plan-for-the-big-screen/article7003444.ece | title=Balaji’s new plan for the big screen | work=The Hindu | date=17 March 2015 | accessdate=18 March 2015 | author=Subha J. Rao}}</ref> Balaji said in a 2013 interview with ''[[The Hindu]]'' that he changed 24 houses and 11 schools while growing up in Chennai, because his "mother just cannot stay in one place. She would move from [[Perambur]] to [[Thiruvanmiyur]] to [[Mylapore]]... no place close to each other."<ref name="thehindu2"/> Years later, on his verified [[Facebook]] page, he said that he lived in 19 areas, 27 houses and studied in 10 schools in his entire life in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rjbalajiofficial/posts/886222481459883|title=RJ Balaji - 19 areas, 27 houses,
10 schools and 30 years... - Facebook|work=facebook.com}}</ref> He failed in the [[twelfth grade]] once.<ref name="nonstop">{{cite web | url=http://www.webcitation.org/6WEkpHhDi | title=Nonstop Express | publisher=[[The Times Group]] | date=11 October 2014 | accessdate=9 February 2015 | author=Arjun Narayanan}}</ref> Balaji was married at the age of 21 years,<ref name="big screen" /> and has a son named Mahanth who, as of 2015, was three years old.<ref name="naanum actor dhaan" />
10 schools and 30 years... - Facebook|work=facebook.com}}</ref> He failed in the [[twelfth grade]] once.<ref name="nonstop">{{cite web | url=http://www.webcitation.org/6WEkpHhDi | title=Nonstop Express | publisher=[[The Times Group]] | date=11 October 2014 | accessdate=9 February 2015 | author=Arjun Narayanan}}</ref>


After completing his [[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc]] computer science from the Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts in 2006,<ref name="Took it Easy"/> he joined the [[Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham#Amrita School of Communication|Amrita School of Communication]] in [[Coimbatore]] for a [[Postgraduate]] Diploma in Journalism,<ref name="amrita">{{cite web | url=http://www.amrita.edu/news/amrita-alumnus-honored-rotary-club | title=Amrita Alumnus Honored by Rotary Club | publisher=[[Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham#Amrita School of Communication|Amrita School of Communication]] | date=10 October 2009 | accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="thehindu2"/> At that time he saw a newspaper advertisement of a radio station ([[Radio Mirchi]] Coimbatore) that auditioned for radio jockeys and he applied for it,<ref name="nonstop" /><ref name="making waves"/> though he "never knew what an RJ was back then".<ref name="thehindu2"/> He said that he almost did not get selected then<ref name="App-reciation">{{cite web | url=http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/App-reciation-aplenty-for-RJ-Balaji/2013/09/01/article1757478.ece | title=App-reciation aplenty for RJ Balaji | publisher=The New Indian Express | accessdate=7 November 2013 | last=Shenoy | first=Sonali}}</ref> when he sang a [[gaana]]<ref name="thehindu2"/> but was finally selected in November 2006. He has not completed his journalism course since.<ref name="thehindu2"/>
After completing his [[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc]] computer science from the Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts in 2006,<ref name="Took it Easy"/> he joined the [[Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham#Amrita School of Communication|Amrita School of Communication]] in [[Coimbatore]] for a [[Postgraduate]] Diploma in Journalism,<ref name="amrita">{{cite web | url=http://www.amrita.edu/news/amrita-alumnus-honored-rotary-club | title=Amrita Alumnus Honored by Rotary Club | publisher=[[Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham#Amrita School of Communication|Amrita School of Communication]] | date=10 October 2009 | accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="thehindu2"/> At that time he saw a newspaper advertisement of a radio station ([[Radio Mirchi]] Coimbatore) that auditioned for radio jockeys and he applied for it,<ref name="nonstop" /><ref name="making waves"/> though he "never knew what an RJ was back then".<ref name="thehindu2"/> He said that he almost did not get selected then<ref name="App-reciation">{{cite web | url=http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/App-reciation-aplenty-for-RJ-Balaji/2013/09/01/article1757478.ece | title=App-reciation aplenty for RJ Balaji | publisher=The New Indian Express | accessdate=7 November 2013 | last=Shenoy | first=Sonali}}</ref> when he sang a [[gaana]]<ref name="thehindu2"/> but was finally selected in November 2006. He has not completed his journalism course since.<ref name="thehindu2"/>

Balaji does not have a computer at his home, and explained that he accesses [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] through his phone instead.<ref name="App-reciation" />


==Career==
==Career==
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===Other works===
===Other works===
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<!--Please arrange everything chronologically-->
Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well. He stated, "It is nice to do a lot of things so that you are constantly on your feet".<ref name="big screen" /> 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> 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&nbsp;– The Best Instincts Ever | author=Rohit Subramanian | journal=[[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering|Vibrations]] |date=April 2012 | volume=20 | page=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 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> In August 2012, Balaji was a guest performer at the fourth anniversary celebrations of [[Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi]]'s magazine ''Inbox 1305''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article588781.ece|title=Organic fashion ruled this ramp|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/celebs-walk-ramp-at-magazine-anniversary-launch-news-tamil-mink4ofgdigsi.html|title=Celebs walk ramp at Magazine anniversary launch|work=Sify|accessdate=11 April 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> In July 2013, Balaji was the judge of ''Reflector'', an event in [[Vidya Mandir]]'s interschool cultural event Reflections.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.vidya-mandir.edu.in/VidyaDhwaniNov2013.pdf | title=REFLECTIONS | author=Anand | journal=[[Vidya Mandir|Vidya Dhwani]] |date=November 2013 | volume=19 | issue=1 | pages=4}}</ref> On 30 August, he was a judge at [[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan]]'s cultural event Reverberations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.psbbschools.ac.in/reverberations_2013_ngm.html | title=Reverberations 2013 Report | work=[[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan|psbbschools.ac.in]] | accessdate=11 April 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&nbsp;— A Grand End To Techofes'15 | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref>
Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well.<ref>{{Cite news|title = The tone that resonates|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/rjs-finding-their-feet-in-many-shoes/article7869439.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 2015-11-12|access-date = 2015-11-15|issn = 0971-751X}}</ref> He stated, "It is nice to do a lot of things so that you are constantly on your feet".<ref name="big screen" /> 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> 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&nbsp;– The Best Instincts Ever | author=Rohit Subramanian | journal=[[Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering|Vibrations]] |date=April 2012 | volume=20 | page=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 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> In August 2012, Balaji was a guest performer at the fourth anniversary celebrations of [[Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi]]'s magazine ''Inbox 1305''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article588781.ece|title=Organic fashion ruled this ramp|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/celebs-walk-ramp-at-magazine-anniversary-launch-news-tamil-mink4ofgdigsi.html|title=Celebs walk ramp at Magazine anniversary launch|work=Sify|accessdate=11 April 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> In July 2013, Balaji was the judge of ''Reflector'', an event in [[Vidya Mandir]]'s interschool cultural event Reflections.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.vidya-mandir.edu.in/VidyaDhwaniNov2013.pdf | title=REFLECTIONS | author=Anand | journal=[[Vidya Mandir|Vidya Dhwani]] |date=November 2013 | volume=19 | issue=1 | pages=4}}</ref> On 30 August, he was a judge at [[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan]]'s cultural event Reverberations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.psbbschools.ac.in/reverberations_2013_ngm.html | title=Reverberations 2013 Report | work=[[Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan|psbbschools.ac.in]] | accessdate=11 April 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&nbsp;— A Grand End To Techofes'15 | work=Guindy Times | accessdate=25 February 2015}}</ref>


In ''[[Puthagam]]'' (2013), Balaji 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.thehindu.com/features/cinema/puththagam-exciting-read-not-exactly/article4323017.ece|title=Puththagam: Exciting read? Not exactly|author=Malathi Rangarajan|work=The Hindu|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in ''[[Ethir Neechal (2013 film)|Ethir Neechal]]'',<ref name="Took it Easy" /><ref name="tempting" /> and made his full-fledged acting debut in ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]''.<ref name="thehindu2" /><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> 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 |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" /> In 2015, he appeared in ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.co.in/idhu-enna-maayam-movie-review-live-audience-response-641185|title = 'Idhu Enna Maayam' Movie Review: Live Audience Response|last = |first = |date = 31 July 2015|work = International Business Times|access-date = 1 August 2015|via = }}</ref> ''[[Yatchan]]'',<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><ref>{{Cite web|title = Yatchan (aka) Yatchan review|url = http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/yatchan/yatchan-review.html|website = Behindwoods|accessdate = 11 September 2015|date = |publication-date = 11 September 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Naanum Rowdydhaan]]'', where he played the character Paandi's ([[Vijay Sethupathi]]) friend.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPjwB57UYAAG2ei.jpg | title=Balaji plays Vijay's friend in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | work=[[The Times of India]] | accessdate=3 October 2015 | author=Mrinali Sundar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/naanum-rowdy-dhaan-a-thoroughly-entertaining-black-comedy/article7792538.ece | title=Naanum Rowdy Dhaan: A thoroughly entertaining black comedy | work=The Hindu | date=22 October 2015 | issn=0971-751X | accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref> His next film appearance will be in ''[[Pugazh]]'', where he also worked as a singer and lyricist on the song "Podu Podu".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/From-Petta-Rap-to-Pakka-Melody/2015/07/08/article2907564.ece|title=From Petta Rap to Pakka Melody|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=10 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Jais-Pugazh-track-list/articleshow/47890476.cms|title=Jai's Pugazh track list|work=The Times of India|accessdate=10 July 2015}}</ref>
In ''[[Puthagam]]'' (2013), Balaji 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.thehindu.com/features/cinema/puththagam-exciting-read-not-exactly/article4323017.ece|title=Puththagam: Exciting read? Not exactly|author=Malathi Rangarajan|work=The Hindu|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in ''[[Ethir Neechal (2013 film)|Ethir Neechal]]'',<ref name="Took it Easy" /><ref name="tempting" /> and made his full-fledged acting debut in ''[[Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru]]''.<ref name="thehindu2" /><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> 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 |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" /> In 2015, he appeared in ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.co.in/idhu-enna-maayam-movie-review-live-audience-response-641185|title = 'Idhu Enna Maayam' Movie Review: Live Audience Response|last = |first = |date = 31 July 2015|work = International Business Times|access-date = 1 August 2015|via = }}</ref> ''[[Yatchan]]'',<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><ref>{{Cite web|title = Yatchan (aka) Yatchan review|url = http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/yatchan/yatchan-review.html|website = Behindwoods|accessdate = 11 September 2015|date = |publication-date = 11 September 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Naanum Rowdydhaan]]'', where he played the character Paandi's ([[Vijay Sethupathi]]) friend.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPjwB57UYAAG2ei.jpg | title=Balaji plays Vijay's friend in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | work=[[The Times of India]] | accessdate=3 October 2015 | author=Mrinali Sundar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/naanum-rowdy-dhaan-a-thoroughly-entertaining-black-comedy/article7792538.ece | title=Naanum Rowdy Dhaan: A thoroughly entertaining black comedy | work=The Hindu | date=22 October 2015 | issn=0971-751X | accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref> His next film appearance will be in ''[[Pugazh]]'', where he also worked as a singer and lyricist on the song "Podu Podu".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/From-Petta-Rap-to-Pakka-Melody/2015/07/08/article2907564.ece|title=From Petta Rap to Pakka Melody|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=10 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Jais-Pugazh-track-list/articleshow/47890476.cms|title=Jai's Pugazh track list|work=The Times of India|accessdate=10 July 2015}}</ref>
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==Artistry==
==Artistry==
Balaji describes "nonsense humour and nonstop talking" as his [[Unique selling proposition|USP]].<ref name="nonstop" /> He also describes conversation as his strength, and that his humour comes out of talking to people.<ref name="thehindu2" /> Although he frequently talks about films on the radio, he never entertains gossip on the personal life of actors, due to his lack of interest in the same. He is notorious for his attacks on the English language and his jocular criticism of Tamil films, but popular for his irreverent sense of unique humour.<ref name="thehindu2" /> According to photographer Bhargavii Mani of ''The Hindu'', the frequent echoing of the words "Ada" and "Cha" on Balaji's radio shows make them "exciting". Although known to be vivacious, loud and funny in the media, Balaji has also maintained a "rather soft-spoken, shy" personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/photofinish-coffee-and-conversation-with-rj-balaji/article7645725.ece|title=Photofinish: Coffee and conversation with RJ Balaji|author=Bhargavii Mani|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In a 2013 interview, Balaji said that he inherited his sense of humour from his mother, who he called "the funniest person I know ... I have only 10 per cent of her comic ability".<ref name="App-reciation" />
Balaji describes "nonsense humour and nonstop talking" as his [[Unique selling proposition|USP]].<ref name="nonstop" /> He also describes conversation as his strength, and that his humour comes out of talking to people.<ref name="thehindu2" /> Although he frequently talks about films on the radio, he never entertains gossip on the personal life of actors, due to his lack of interest in the same. He is notorious for his attacks on the English language and his jocular criticism of Tamil films, but popular for his irreverent sense of unique humour.<ref name="thehindu2" /> According to photographer Bhargavii Mani of ''The Hindu'', the frequent echoing of the words "Ada" and "Cha" on Balaji's radio shows make them "exciting". Although known to be vivacious, loud and funny in the media, Balaji has also maintained a "rather soft-spoken, shy" personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/photofinish-coffee-and-conversation-with-rj-balaji/article7645725.ece|title=Photofinish: Coffee and conversation with RJ Balaji|author=Bhargavii Mani|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In a 2013 interview, Balaji said that he inherited his sense of humour from his mother, who he called "the funniest person I know ... I have only 10 per cent of her comic ability".<ref name="App-reciation" />

== Personal life ==
Balaji was married at the age of 21 years,<ref name="big screen" /> and has a son named Mahanth who, as of 2015, is three years old.<ref name="naanum actor dhaan" /> He does not have a computer at his home, and explained that he accesses [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] through his mobile phone instead.<ref name="App-reciation" />


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

Revision as of 17:24, 15 November 2015

Template:Distinguish2

RJ Balaji
File:Techofes 2013 cultural fest gallery 13 (cropped).jpg
Balaji conducting Mr. and Ms. Techofes, 2013
Born
Balaji Patturaj[1]

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

Balaji Patturaj (born 20 June 1985) popularly known as RJ Balaji, is an Indian radio jockey, presenter, comedian and 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. Although mainly a radio jockey, Balaji is also active in other fields; he is known for his association with the television shows Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva and Why This Kolaveri, and for his performance in the films Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013) and Vadacurry (2014). He has also been a presenter at many inter-school cultural events in Chennai, and has contributed to many social causes.

Early life

Balaji was born on 20 June[2] 1985,[3] and was raised in Chennai.[4] He said that his father abandoned his family at an unspecified point.[5] Balaji said in a 2013 interview with The Hindu that he changed 24 houses and 11 schools while growing up in Chennai, because his "mother just cannot stay in one place. She would move from Perambur to Thiruvanmiyur to Mylapore... no place close to each other."[4] Years later, on his verified Facebook page, he said that he lived in 19 areas, 27 houses and studied in 10 schools in his entire life in Chennai.[6] He failed in the twelfth grade once.[7]

After completing his B.Sc computer science from the Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts in 2006,[8] he joined the Amrita School of Communication in Coimbatore for a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism,[9] 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 radio jockeys and he applied for it,[7][10] though he "never knew what an RJ was back then".[4] He said that he almost did not get selected then[11] when he sang a gaana[4] but was finally selected in November 2006. He has not completed his journalism course since.[4]

Career

Radio

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.[4][9] 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.[12] 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".[10] 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."[13]

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".[10] In November 2011, Balaji and BIG FM RJ's Muthu and Ophelia conducted "Little RJ Hunt", a three-phased event organised as part of the radio station's Children's Day celebrations.[14][15] 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.[16][17] Later he was named amongst the Top 10 Promising Personalities of Tamil Nadu in 2012 by Ananda Vikatan Group.[18] Balaji was the host for the 2013 event "BIG Manasa Thotta Singer" that was conducted by BIG FM.[19] He has also been running the "RJ Balaji Skool of Radio Studies" since August 2013.[20] Three apps on Balaji have been developed: an Android app simply named "RJ Balaji",[21] an iOS app titled "RJ Balaji Official",[22] and a Windows Phone app as well.[23]

In December 2012, Balaji discontinued Cross Talk, in response to the death of Jacintha Saldanha.[24][25][26] In November 2013, he 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.[27] A few months before, he had also been threatened by an employee from UTV Motion Pictures for his review of Settai.[25][28][29] 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".[25] 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".[27] As of July 2014, the show still runs, where he only reviews Hindi and English-language films.[30] 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",[31] and reiterated this in November 2015.[32]

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.[33] 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.[34][35] In February, he was a host of the BIG Tamil Melody Awards at Chennai Trade Centre.[36] In July 2015, Balaji launched a new show titled Loose Talk.[37][38] The following month, he left with many other Indian RJs for Siachen to conduct a program titled "BIG Paigham - Sarhad Ke Naam" saluting the Indian army.[39][40]

Other works

Alongside his radio career, Balaji has been active in other fields as well.[41] He stated, "It is nice to do a lot of things so that you are constantly on your feet".[5] In September 2011, he judged Channel Surfing, a segment of Smaraneeyam, the inter-school cultural festival of Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School.[42] Balaji was a performer at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering's annual cultural festival Instincts in March 2012.[43][44] He hosted the teaser trailer release event for Maattrraan in June 2012.[45] In August 2012, Balaji was a guest performer at the fourth anniversary celebrations of Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi's magazine Inbox 1305.[46][47] He has conducted the event Mr. and Ms. Techofes at the College of Engineering, Guindy's annual cultural event Techofes twice, in 2012[48] and 2013.[49] He was also the compère of the audio launch of Kalyana Samayal Saadham, which took place in August 2013.[50] In July 2013, Balaji was the judge of Reflector, an event in Vidya Mandir's interschool cultural event Reflections.[51] On 30 August, he was a judge at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan's cultural event Reverberations.[52] At the 2015 edition of Techofes at the Guindy College of Engineering, he hosted a new show titled Boost with Balaji on 14 February.[53][54][55]

In Puthagam (2013), Balaji introduces the lead characters played by Sathya, Sanjay, Vignesh and Rakul Preet Singh, in a voice-over.[56][57] In the same year, he made a cameo appearance in Ethir Neechal,[8][58] and made his full-fledged acting debut in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru.[4][59] He appeared in a brief role as a show host in Vallinam (2014).[58][60] His second film appearance in 2014 was in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum,[61] followed by a major role as the title character in Vadacurry.[29] In 2015, he appeared in Idhu Enna Maayam,[62] Yatchan,[63][64] and Naanum Rowdydhaan, where he played the character Paandi's (Vijay Sethupathi) friend.[65][66] His next film appearance will be in Pugazh, where he also worked as a singer and lyricist on the song "Podu Podu".[67][68]

Balaji was a host in the second season of STAR Vijay's dance show Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Dheva.[20][69] He also made a special appearance on an episode of STAR Vijay's talk show Neeya Naana.[70] He 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,[71][72] and ended in May 2014.[73] In August 2014, Balaji hosted the show Aiyo Amma Awards, a spoof of the Vijay Awards, on Zee Tamizh.[74]

In December 2011, Balaji 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] In March 2014, he claimed to have been a presenter at Sangarsh, an annual charity concert that raises money for people suffering from various diseases.[75] The same month, he gave an intro in The Madras Song, a tribute to the 375th anniversary of Chennai, formerly known as Madras.[76][77] 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.[78] The third video, subtitled "RJ Balaji Abusing Sachin Tendulkar..!", has nothing to do with Sachin Tendulkar, but instead features Balaji asking the viewers to spread word so that a heart transplant patient named Kavya could get a heart donor. The video was deliberately titled misleadingly so that the message would spread sooner. On 12 December, less than two weeks after Balaji uploaded the video, Kavya successfully got a donor.[79] Balaji has also played in the 2015 edition of the Celebrity Cricket League, for the team Chennai Rhinos as an all-rounder.[80][81] In May 2015, he was a speaker at the first edition of TEDx Mylapore.[82][83] In August, he joined Ananda Vikatan and Raghava Lawrence's campaign "Aram Seiya Virumbu".[84]

Artistry

Balaji describes "nonsense humour and nonstop talking" as his USP.[7] He also describes conversation as his strength, and that his humour comes out of talking to people.[4] Although he frequently talks about films on the radio, he never entertains gossip on the personal life of actors, due to his lack of interest in the same. He is notorious for his attacks on the English language and his jocular criticism of Tamil films, but popular for his irreverent sense of unique humour.[4] According to photographer Bhargavii Mani of The Hindu, the frequent echoing of the words "Ada" and "Cha" on Balaji's radio shows make them "exciting". Although known to be vivacious, loud and funny in the media, Balaji has also maintained a "rather soft-spoken, shy" personality.[85] In a 2013 interview, Balaji said that he inherited his sense of humour from his mother, who he called "the funniest person I know ... I have only 10 per cent of her comic ability".[11]

Personal life

Balaji was married at the age of 21 years,[5] and has a son named Mahanth who, as of 2015, is three years old.[32] He does not have a computer at his home, and explained that he accesses Facebook and Twitter through his mobile phone instead.[11]

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 Idhu Enna Maayam Arun's friend
2015 Yatchan Chandru
2015 Naanum Rowdydhaan Doshi Baba
2015 Pugazh Filming

References

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Further reading

External links

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