An actress, radio jockey, video jockey, anchor, and a journalist – the woman who owns it all! Meet Anushka Arora, the Indo-British RJ and Celebrity Anchor that’s been on the go, and frankly, unstoppable, ever since leading the top five in “Best Presenter of the Year” at the Hospital Radio Awards, 2008.
Beloved for her charming personality and spunk, Anushka has hosted events like Adnan Sami at Wembley Arena, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at the O2 Arena, Atif Aslam’s UK Tour 2015, Arijit Singh at the O2 Indigo and Wembley Arena, Bollywood press conferences for Shahrukh Khan’s Chennai Express and Krrish 3, as well as Asha Bhosle’s Farewell UK tour as well as the Mika Singh and Daler Mehndi UK tour. She’s also hosted major wedding exhibitions, fashion shows, corporate events, and many Summer Melas around the UK.
A major Bolly enthusiast with a sunshine twist to all her endeavors, here’s PEAKLIFE in candid conversation with Anushka as she takes us through her journey and more:
1.) Starting off, tell us a bit about your journey? How did you first embark into the world of radio jockey?
I studied a degree in Journalism at the University of the Arts from which I really loved the broadcast journalism side of things. I then took it further by creating a base for myself and doing Hospital Radio. In the UK presenting on the radio in hospitals is considered as a huge foundation for getting yourself into the world of radio.
2.) What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journey?
No challenge has been so big for me until the pandemic hit. Although I am classified as a key worker and was still broadcasting the show live from the studio, the other freelance work I was getting i.e tv shows, compering events etc., I was not getting any of that so I took a huge financial hit. This industry thrives on big shows, big concerts and thousands of people to attend events but unfortunately Covid-19 played spoilsport.
3.) Could you tell us a bit about your 36hr live broadcast at Sunrise Radio and the cause. How did that come about?
I had done a 24hr radio broadcast back in April 2016. It was actually my sister’s idea which I thought was amazing. I made sure it was done in conjunction with a charity. The first time round I was raising money for children around the world for education. This time I broadcasted a 36hr live radio show with 36 celebrity interviews and raising money and awareness for a charity called CRY – Cardiac Risk In the Young. We raised around £10,000! Kudos to my sister for bringing the idea to life.
4.) From an RJ and VJ to an achor, journalist, voice actor, and much more, you don so many hats, and it’s bound to get hectic at some point. How do you maintain your work-life balance?
Since the pandemic, my routine wasn’t as hectic as it used to be before so I think I had a decent work-life balance. I think I am now ready for work to take over – it’s been a while!
5.) What are some of your personal milestones or achievements you hold close to your heart?
There are a few so I’m going to list them for you: winning best RJ of the year in 2018 for the prestigious Asian Media Awards, being honoured with the Most Illustrious Award for The Pride Of India by the NRI institute at the House of Commons, Parliament; being able to head to Madrid and do a live broadcast from Madrid to cover the IIFA awards in 2016, broadcasting live from Mauritius, and both my 24hr radio marathon and my 36hr radio marathon.
6.) How have you been sustaining through the pandemic?
It’s been really, really tough but that aside I’ve been keeping myself busy with lots of celebrity interviews on Zoom and Instagram lives. I’ve also continued to keep in a routine of presenting my show and working out 4-6 days a week has really helped my mental health too.
7.) Your success mantra?
Do what you love, love what you do!
8.) Personally, what vision do you have for yourself as a professional in the industry? (What kind of a footprint would you want to leave in your line of work?)
I still have a lot to do. My long-term vision is to present Hindi cinema on a global platform. I want the UK mainstream TV channels to cover everything happening in Bollywood just as they do with Hollywood. I would like to leave a footprint in my line of work of being one of the first British-Indian-Female TV/Radio jock to have done this.
9.) Lastly, any advice for budding aspirants?
Yes. Do not give up and most importantly if it’s something that makes you happy then carry on doing it. Nothing or no one can get in the way of what you want to do with passion and determination.
