World Radio Day Special: From PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat, Bollywood celebrities gave voice to radio

Mumbai. World Radio Day is celebrated every year on 13 February. Even today, radio is a medium that bridges distances, connects people and gives voice to emotions. Long before podcasts and digital platforms, radio was the most trusted source of talk, music and news.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said radio is a medium that is a trusted voice for people, from remote villages to cities, and has delivered timely information, nurtured talent and encouraged creativity. The Prime Minister said that World Radio Day, celebrated every year on 13 February, is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of all people associated with this medium.

He posted on ‘X’,World Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate a medium that is a trusted voice for people, from remote villages to cities. Over the years, radio has been providing timely information, nurturing talent and encouraging creativity।”

The Prime Minister said that through his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he has himself experienced the potential of radio through which the social power of the people of the country can be unleashed. “This month’s program will be telecast on Sunday, February 22,” he said.

The ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program started in October 2024, just a few months after Modi took over as Prime Minister. The program has been a direct platform for the Prime Minister to share his views on governance, social issues and inspirational stories with the citizens. It airs on the last Sunday of every month at 11 am.

Be it cleanliness, social service, water conservation, sports or women empowerment, citizens can send their ideas and suggestions online to the Prime Minister for his radio programme. UNESCO announced in 2011 that 13 February would be celebrated as World Radio Day to commemorate the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946.

Many Bollywood stars have given voice to radio on the silver screen. Bollywood has always shown radio not just as a profession but as an emotional platform that connects people. Not only this, Hindi films have also shown this impact of radio through many memorable characters.

Preity Zinta played radio jockey Amber “Amby” Malhotra in Salaam Namaste (2005). This character was self-reliant, outspoken and modern. At a time when FM radio was becoming popular among the youth, Amby showed that RJs do not just play songs but are also friends of the listeners.

Vidya Balan i.e. Janhvi in ​​Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) was a radio show host, who conveys Gandhiji’s thoughts to the common people through her show. This film showed how radio can bring positive thinking and change in the society. Sanjay Dutt’s character in Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) was not a radio jockey, but the role of radio was very important in the story. ‘Gandhigiri’ reached the people through radio and it was proved that this medium has tremendous power to influence anyone’s thinking.

Guzaarish (2010) Hrithik Roshan played the character of Ethan Mascarenhas, who becomes a radio jockey after an accident. His late-night show is full of emotions and poetry. This character shows how radio connects with hearts through voice.

Tumhari Sulu (2017) stars Vidya Balan as Sulu, an ordinary housewife who becomes a late-night radio jockey. His character reflects the simplicity and familiarity of radio, where listeners share their thoughts openly.