The name Vandana Vadehra needs no introduction in the entertainment industry. From being a Radio jockey with AIR FM Radio, a much-sought emcee, a singer and a Bollywood composer, Vandana has donned many hats in her decade-long career. Though she grew up in the hills of Shillong, her dreams found wings in the city of Delhi during her college days.
Here is an exclusive chat:
Q. When and what made you join the entertainment industry?
I have been in the entertainment business as an amateur kid artist since I was three. My mother who was a linguist, a theatre director and an amateur singer, put me on stage at the tender age of three and groomed me to modulate, enunciate and be a heart-throb. I took up professionally once I got the opportunity to host and sing at a series of shows for Sony for showtime and there has been no looking back since then.
Q. You are a renowned emcee with many awards in your kitty. What is the best part of emceeing?
Kitty is my pet name.That’s a fact. On a serious note, the best part of emceeing is constant innovation for a forever changing client and subtly introducing humour into your content and of course, the serious content creation that is scripting which is a fresh challenge each show.
Q. As a playback singer who has set her foot recently in Bollywood, what is your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is just reaching out to those stubborn directors to at least lend you a patient ear.
Q. For more than a decade now, you have been a radio jockey. How do you think the scene of radio has changed in these last few years?
Radio has lost its old personal touch wherein each RJ learned with each show. We were one on one.with our audience. Personally, aware of our listeners’ likes, dislikes, hobbies, choices etc as they wrote in regularly via letters and emails.
Today, it’s more advertisement driven and we hardly get to hear many English music channels.
Q. Of all the talents you exhibit, which is closest to your heart?
Singing and writing lyrics.
Q. As a strong, independent, single woman, what is your word of advice to all the young girls out there trying to break into the glamour industry?
Well, believe in your talent and don’t give in to temptation which comes aplenty in our path so easily. Strive for perfection in your realm. Do your best and leave the rest to destiny!
