Saturday, Nov 02, 2013

For seven years, they ruled the Mumbai radio roost with their morning show. The show was so popular, even Bollywood stars were calling in to give them traffic updates and participate in contests. Then, about four years ago, radio jockey duo Jaggu and Tarana decided to call it a day.

“Radio was becoming crass. Everyone sounded the same, and I myself couldn’t stand some of the people on air,” recalls Tarana Raja, who currently stars in hit Indian television drama Bade Achhe Lagte Hain on Sony TV. “Because so many new stations were coming on the market, everybody wanted to sound like everybody. There was no creativity. We quit when we reached a point when we were told to dumb down. I guess we were just old school.”

While Tarana went on to do television and Bollywood productions including Pyar Ke Side Effects, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Karthik Calling Karthik and Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, Jaggu, whose real name is Ashish Jagtiani, turned to writing columns, theatre and worrying about gaining weight.

But just as their time on air was going to become a distant memory, Dubai’s Josh 97.8 came calling. The pair said yes, but on one condition.

“We told them if we were doing radio again, we’re doing it together,” says Tarana. “And they said yes. And not only that, they gave us the freedom to just be ourselves.”

Jaggu and Tarana as a pair is a tried and tested success, says Jaggu.

“There is a certain style that we do best together. There is Tarana, there is me and the third element is the chemistry we have,” says the presenter who’s never lived outside of Mumbai and who recently moved lock, stock and barrel to Dubai with his wife Girija. “It’s that chemistry that really lifts the show. And Josh gave us that opportunity to do that again. So it was a hard opportunity to pass up.”

Called ‘Wake Up With Jaggu & Tarana’ their show airs Sunday to Thursday from 6-10am on Josh 97.8, the Hindi and Urdu channel owned by Gulf News Broadcasting.

“It’s typically what a breakfast show would do — inform and entertain. The bottom line is to make our listeners go to work with a smile on their face irrespective of how their day has begun,” says Jaggu. “There’s humour, interaction, interesting observations and just us dealing with daily life.”

It’s the city on the go, adds Tarana.

“It’s for someone who didn’t have time to look at the newspaper in the morning but wants to be informed as well as entertained,” she says. “We keep it real. And it will appeal to sensible people who have a sense of humour, who don’t take life too seriously.

“There will be no crass humour or heavy duty focus on Bollywood. We play Bollywood, yes, but we will also ask questions like why Hrithik Roshan is giving holier-than-thou interviews, saying things like ‘There’s an inner Krrish in all of us’. OK, we get it, you’re promoting a film. And oh, things like Priyanka Chopra’s musical career and why she’s singing ‘In My City’.

“Basically, we’re a bit mental. But of course all within reasonable limits. Otherwise this one cracks the whip,” she adds, pointing to her producer Zainab.

One week in, the response has already been overwhelming, they say.

“We had people calling in just to say they wanted to say ‘Hello and welcome to the UAE’. And thanks to online streaming, people who were listening to us in India back then have been coming back to us saying ‘Why did [Dubai] get you and not us?’” says Tarana.

The 36-year-old will be flitting between Dubai and Mumbai to continue to film her TV show.

“Quantity is running the industry in India, not quality. It’s depressing,” says Tarana. “Look at Bollywood, all the films in the 100 crore club (films that have made more than Rs1 billion) are rubbish. Critics have panned them but people are still watching them. The attitude seems to be ‘If they want s***, we will give them s***.

“That’s why I wanted to move here. It’s still young and stations like Josh are up for anything. And we’re hoping it stays that way and that quality means for something in Dubai and the UAE. Not some mass-y nonsense.”

*Wake Up with Jaggu & Tarana airs Sunday to Thursday from 6-10am on Josh 97.8 FM. For more, go to joshfm.ae

What the celebrities are saying:

ARBAAZ KHAN:

“Jaggu and Tarana are coming to Dubai. Inse bachke rehna (be wary of them).

ARSHAD WARSI:

“I have enjoyed Jaggu and Tarana so much and it’s gonna be your turn now Dubai. You’re gonna be enjoying Jaggu and Tarana . I am jealous. Have a blast. You are gonna love them. They are mad.”

BOMAN IRANI:

“I’m really, really gonna miss Jaggu and Tarana because I hear they are coming to Dubai. So, what’s my plan? I think I’ll have to follow there.”

IMRAN KHAN:

“You guys listen to me very, very closely. You be nice to Jaggu and Tarana. I like these guys a lot and if you’re not nice to them I will hear about it.”

RAJEEV MASAND:

“Now I hear that Jaggu and Tarana are moving to Dubai. Hmmm…..well, I should be happy given they can’t make jokes about me, but I’m not happy because Jaggu and Tarana are the best thing about my mornings and I’m disappointed that Mumbai’s loss will be Dubai’s gain. So, congratulations Jaggu and Tarana. And, lucky Dubai that Jaggu and Tarana are coming your way.”

RANVIR SHOREY:

“I heard that Jaggu and Tarana are in Dubai. Bachke rehna Dubai walo (be wary people of Dubai), your mornings will never be the same again.”

SHANKAR MAHADEVAN:

“You know I used to listen to Jaggu and Tarana but now, they are coming to your city. I bet your gonna love them. Your morning is gonna be full of craziness.”

By David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! Editor

Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.