During the 'Youth and Lucknow' session at Sahitya Aajtak, emerging voices from Lucknow enriched the audience with direct dialogue and shared experiences. Special guests RJ Raft, Manvendra, and RJ Prateek generously shared insights into their radio, podcast, and content creation journeys.
RJ Raft: Completing Our Stories
RJ Raft captivated with tales of over a decade in FM, detailing his prime-time show journey on Big FM. He reminisced starting at FM Rainbow in Lucknow, where every task was manual labor. 'In those days, you couldn't even sip water without having to manage everything manually,' he remarked.
When Big FM launched in Lucknow in 2017, Raft introduced the evening show 'Gossip with Mallika' with his distinct flair. By 2024, he pioneered 'Instudio India', the continent's first Instagram Radio, addressing sarcasm, societal issues, and women's matters in his signature way.
Sharing his radio and Instudio experiences, he confided, 'I create mischief with ease, not too fiery, but sarcasm speaks volumes.'
Read More: Taapsee Pannu on Women’s Safety Talks at Sahitya Aajtak 2026 - 'Change in Society Came About'
Raft also provided thoughts on social media and content creation. 'We're exhausting ourselves, enamored by the opulence on social media,' he noted. 'This isn't just an issue in India but everywhere.'
Stand Tall Over Time: Manvendra
From lawyer to podcaster, Manvendra is celebrated for his sensitivity towards women-centric issues and personal experience. A lawyer in his past life, he ventured into podcasting with only 300 Instagram followers. Manvendra expressed that support and shared experiences propelled him forward, noting, 'A small glimmer of hope can ignite unforeseen achievements.'
Read More: Hearts Overflow at Sahitya Aajtak as Poets Enchant with Love-Verses
Manvendra emphasized the need to maintain relevancy and a unique identity in content creation: 'Copycats may find brief success, but standing your ground is key for long-term growth.' His podcasts actively address women-centric discussions, asserting, 'With good intentions, the recipient understands the message, minimizing the need for censorship.'
Respect Your Roots: RJ Prateek
Celebrating Lucknow's mannerisms, RJ Prateek shed light on the city's cultural balance and his content creation journey. 'I hail from Lucknow, where decorum is renowned. To me, any cringe content disgraces our city's etiquette,' he asserted. He shared insights from the 'Go For Gomti' campaign, an initiative to clean the Gomti River.
Read More: Sahitya Aajtak Lucknow - 'I Keep Watching Your Last Seen...' Love Overflows at the Poets' Gathering
Prateek narrated the campaign's growth, starting with eight participants and evolving into a community of 8,000-9,000, endeavoring to rejuvenate seven riverbanks in Lucknow. He acknowledged balancing content creation is challenging but his cultural and educational background aids him. 'On Instagram, I share content ensuring logic and balance are always prioritized,' he said.
All three RJ guests at Sahitya Aajtak highlighted that authentic content should transcend mere views and followers. Raft concluded with wisdom: 'Today's actions are tomorrow's literature. Embrace thoughtful actions and genuine intent.'
