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ANCHORED to LIMELIGHT

He may be paid to talk, but for Firoz Khan a.k.a. Kidilom Firoz, talking is no chore. “I love to talk and can go on and on,” says the radio jockey (RJ) of Big 92.7 FM who talked his way into the Limca Book of Records for the ‘most l engthy show in a regional language done live by a single radio jockey.’ He talked non-stop for 105 hours.

Sporting a white-stone studded ear ring and a silver braided chain and oozing confidence, Firoz looks every inch the image of a radio jockey. As he catches me staring at the sparkling ear ring, he laughs: “It is not diamond. In fact I have no idea what stone it is. I picked it up because I liked the shine and thought I would look cool,” says the host.

A zoology graduate from University College, 26-year-old Firoz says he knew media was his calling when he heard a speech by Malayalam film director T.K. Rajeev Kumar. “He had come down for a function at the college. His speech was about how youth should chart out their future early so that they have a goal in life. As he was a mediaperson, I decided, that I should follow his footsteps. Besides, the fact that people actually heed a mediaperson’s opinion attracted me to the media.”

At first this youth from Venjaramoodu felt theatre was his calling as he participated in inter-collegiate festivals. He was a member of Trivandrum Mimers, perhaps one of the first mime troupes in Kerala and travelled across India performing plays. But then an advertisement calling for participants for a reality show on Asianet Plus changed his course in life.

“It was for a programme called ‘Veejay Plus,’ for which I auditioned. I was 22 years old then. My friends were the ones who encouraged me to join the show. I fancied myself a ‘bhuji,’ convinced I was going to be into theatre. However, once in front of the camera, I realised I loved it. The fact that I won the contest also helped me choose my career.”

And so Firoz started his romance with the camera by hosting shows such as ‘Valkannadi,’ ‘Smile Plz’ on Asianet and Asianet Plus respectively. His bubbly presence on screen won him the offer on Big FM. “I must admit I was reluctant to enter the radio field at first. But when I visited the Big FM station in Bangalore, I was bowled over. The workings of a radio are so different. There are no scripts to follow, so one has to think on one’s feet. You are responsible for your own show, deciding the fate of it. I considered that a challenge,” says Firoz who signed on the dotted line and joined the station in Thiruvananthapuram.

“One needs to be familiar with the locality and people-friendly to connect with listeners,” says the RJ who adds that keeping abreast with the latest news and gossip is equally essential. “Many people think that being an RJ is a piece of cake. They fail to realise that we have to work really hard to keep the listeners entertained,” says Firoz.

A bibliophile, Firoz regrets that his profession keeps him away from his love. “Right now, I am trying to squeeze in a collection of Padmarajan’s short stories. I don’t even have time to grab a proper bite,” says this lover of naadan food. “I love biriyanis and kappa and fish curry. I’m not into junk food. As I live on my own, I can cook but rarely do. I know how to prepare appam, dosa, chapatti and chicken curry.”

On Sundays, Firoz is usually seen chilling out at Shanghumugham. After much prodding to why he heads there every week, he admits a tad sheepishly: “Well, I usually go up to the vendors there and ask them if they have listened to my show and if they enjoy it. As they don’t recognise me, they usually give an honest reply. I then work on the cons.”

Although he maintains that he is hooked to the radio, Firoz is still a familiar face on the mini-screen. He hosts ‘Nilavil’ and ‘Plus Talkies’ on Asianet Plus. “Each media has its own challenge and I love facing challenges. On TV, one has a set of rules and norms which one has to stick to. The show belongs to the producer. On radio, I get to do what I want as it is purely my show. Whatever the case may be, it is fun being in the limelight,” says Firoz as the red light comes on and he is back on air.

Limca Book of Records

I was inspired to undertake the talkathon by my colleague RJ Dheena. He entered the Guinness Book with his talkathon. I also wanted to create awareness against various forms of addiction, primarily alcohol and drugs through the show,” says Firoz.

Although sceptical about the reach of the show, he was soon impressed when listeners pledged on air that they would give up their addiction. Some even dropped by the station to say so. “I think they were moved by the fact that I was losing out on sleep and food to create awareness on the topic. I was their conscience telling them to give it up.”

For the feat, Firoz practised reiki, yoga and meditation. “I still set aside an hour a day for it,” he says. But all this preparation did not help him predict the cold studio room. “It was freezing. I had to wear layers of clothing.” The RJ received his Limca Book certificate last month. “It was a proud moment, especially as I am the first Malayali RJ to enter the book for such an attempt.”

L.G.

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