For many, he is still the witty and quick-thinking voice that once dominated Tamil radio. For others, he is now filmmaker Balaji, steadily carving his own space in Kollywood with stories that blend humour, emotion and social reflection. But for RJ Balaji himself, there is no single title that defines who he is.

According to Balaji, every role in life carries equal meaning. Whether it is being a husband, son, father, presenter or filmmaker, he believes all these identities come together to form the person he is today.

“We cannot say one thing is more special than the other. I cannot say I want to be a good husband but not a good father. All these pieces complete the puzzle and together, that is what makes RJ Balaji,” he shared.

Long before cinema and celebrity recognition entered his life, Balaji’s journey was shaped by education and human connections. Though many assume his journalism studies played a defining role in shaping his media personality, Balaji believes the lessons he gained outside textbooks mattered more. He revealed that campus life helped him understand people, broaden his perspective and discover his raw energy.

Spending time with professors, engaging in casual conversations and sharing hostel rooms with students from different states and cultures taught him life lessons that no classroom alone could offer. Interestingly, Balaji admitted that journalism itself encouraged objectivity, whereas he naturally gravitates towards exaggeration and storytelling.

“The one year I spent on campus taught me more about people and life,” he said.

Having emerged during a period when internet penetration and social media were still limited, RJ Balaji witnessed firsthand how dramatically the entertainment landscape evolved. Today, with podcasts, digital audio platforms and private radio channels flourishing, competition has become tougher than ever.

Balaji believes aspiring voice artists must embrace continuous learning and prepare themselves to compete with the very best. He pointed out that thanks to the internet, a radio jockey from a small town can now compete with talent from across Tamil Nadu and beyond.

“Today is a world full of opportunities. You have to be willing to learn, adapt and constantly improve your skills,” he explained.

For Balaji, reinvention is not a luxury but a necessity. Among the many shows that defined his radio career, Cross-Talk remains one of his most celebrated creations. Yet beyond the laughter and entertainment, certain memories continue to stay close to his heart.

One such memory involves an elderly retired woman named Mary John. Balaji recalled how a neighbour once approached him requesting a Cross-Talk episode featuring her. Years later, he learnt that Mary John had passed away.

What moved him deeply was discovering that during her final months, she repeatedly listened to the episode and laughed along to it.

“She lived alone. Knowing that the show gave her joy in her last days made me feel good,” he said.

Moments like these, he believes, remind entertainers of the unseen emotional impact their work can have. Surprisingly, Balaji insists that neither radio nor cinema was part of a grand master plan.

He never deliberately chased the dream of becoming an RJ, nor did he carefully strategise his entry into films. Instead, opportunities unfolded naturally. What mattered most to him was approaching every job with sincerity and commitment.

“I am someone who is ready to take up any work and do it with passion. Even if I run a tea shop or ironing shop, I would want to be known as the best in it,” he shared.

For Balaji, success is often a by-product of genuinely enjoying the process. Away from cameras and recording studios, RJ Balaji describes himself as a family man.

He married his college classmate and longtime love, Divya, at a young age, and together they now have two children, Aryan and Mahant. According to him, early marriage brought responsibility into his life much sooner and helped shape his maturity. He openly admitted making mistakes along the way but believes learning from them made him a better person.

“My wife was my friend first. Marrying a friend was the best thing,” he said.

Balaji also enjoys sports like cricket and table tennis, while laughingly admitting that technology and computers remain far outside his comfort zone. Beyond entertainment, Balaji often speaks passionately about education reform.

He believes schools and colleges should move beyond rigid academic frameworks and prepare students for real life and evolving industries.

Using YouTube as an example, he noted how careers once dismissed are now legitimate professions. Balaji advocates for curricula that adapt quickly to workplace demands and prioritise practical learning.

“If a student studies environmental science, they should at least learn to grow and nurture a tree during the semester,” he suggested.

To him, education must nurture life skills alongside academic knowledge. Speaking about reading culture among children, Balaji believes the responsibility begins at home.

Rather than prescribing a strict list of books, he encourages parents to make reading accessible and enjoyable. He compared reading habits to brushing teeth, something initially taught by parents before becoming second nature.

“Books are like medicines. Different books suit different people. But the habit of reading should begin early,” he shared.

He believes children should be free to explore whatever sparks their curiosity, while parents create an environment where books and knowledge feel naturally inviting.

Today, RJ Balaji stands at an interesting point in his journey, no longer defined solely by radio, yet never disconnected from the medium that first introduced him to audiences.

In Kollywood, he continues to evolve as an actor and filmmaker. But beyond cinema and fame, Balaji remains someone deeply grounded in family, learning and purposeful storytelling.

For him, life was never about chasing one identity. Instead, it was about embracing every role wholeheartedly and allowing each piece to complete the larger puzzle. 

And thank you for giving us Karuppu!

Source : sharingstories , Cinema Express

Image Credit : x.com