Beenish Khan is a RJ on Radio One Fm 91. She hosts the most rated Lunch Show on radio called Munch On Lunch. She is the daughter of the Legendary Actor Late Mr. Saleem Nasir Khan. She talks to PMR about herself. Check out !
PMR:Who is Beenish Khan?
BK: That is a very tough question. I think I consider myself to be a person who loves the why of things, I am free spirited and I enjoys life the way it is and am a happy person who is extremely passionate about whatever I do in life.
PMR:Your qualification?
BK: I have done my Bachelors with an English Literature and a Psychology major.
PMR:Where were you born?
BK: I was born in Karachi, Pakistan
PMR:What is radio for you ?
BK: Radio for me is like the air that I breathe, my love for radio grows with every show that I do.
PMR:How did you start your career as a Radio Jockey (RJ)? And why ?
BK: Well, me and my co host Ali Asghar we in college together, we were friends even before we started radio, it all actually started one day while we were just sitting at our college dhaba and another friend of ours suggested me and Ali should try radio for a change because we were just so funny together, she thought we would make a good radio show with that friendly chemistry. We thought it would be a good change from the daily rutt and we went for an audition at Fm91. They liked our audition and called us in for a demo show and after that there was no looking back. Let alone the other shows I do, the show I do with Ali is by far the best Lunch show in my opinion and has been running successfully for a good six years now Mashallah.
PMR:For how long have you been doing radio shows?
BK: Ive been doing radio for about seven years now, it seems like yesterday 🙂
PMR:What is your show called?
BK: I do two shows, one is called Munch on Lunch that airs mon to thurs 1 to 3 p:m and on Fri i go solo with Showbizz Buzz from 3 to 5 p:m.
PMR:Ali Asgar hosts a show with you. How much do both of you get along?
BK: Ali Asghar is my best friend, my bossy older brother, the best co host and my support system during the shows. I always say that if it wasn’t for Ali I probably would not have been able to excel the way I have. If Munch on Lunch is the best Lunch show today then its because of Ali and Beenish together, I alone couldn’t have taken it this far. Nontheless we do have our silly moments where we fight and argue, most of the time we bicker on the show too and that is what people love the most about the show because it comes out naturally.
PMR:Is it neccesary to have a “good” taste in music to do a successful show?
BK: Well it depends on the kind of show one is doing, but radio mainly is about music and if a radio broadcaster has good taste and knowledge of music then the job becomes a lot more fun. I generally like doing my research about the artists and bands that I like.
PMR:Your favorite music genre?
BK: I enjoy most genres but I really like country music because there is always a story that is being told and its all about the honky tonk J
PMR:What is the best thing about your show ?
BK: The best thing about my show is that we are who we are, we are original and people love that about my show.
PMR:What is the most memorable thing that has happened ON your show?
BK: The most memorable thing was when this girl called on my show and she said she named her daughter Beenish and she would want her daughter to be just like me when she grows up. I was really taken aback, I couldn’t have imagined to be bestowed with this honour, till date I cant believe it how some people have so much respect for me and my work.
PMR:Who do you enjoy interviewing the most?
BK: In the span of seven years I have had the honour to interview a lot of celebrities but my most favourite will always be our very own Pakistani band Strings, from Bollywood Kajol, Arjun Rampal, Imran Khan and also the most candid interview was with Mr Tariq Amin.
PMR:Why should people listen to your show? Few good reasons ?
BK: If people want to just enjoy good music while they are out on the road then my shows are the perfect blend of talk and great tunes. I know my music well and so I don’t ever compromise on the content. If you are the sort who is interested in entertainment, music, current affairs and fun talk the my shows are meant for you. Ratings is the last thing on my mind which is why I do my shows the way I want to without compromising.
PMR:Have you ever thought about quitting radio?
BK: Not as of now! I love radio, it’s a very important part of my life and I consider the two hours everyday of my show as me time! It helps me unwind.
PMR:Do you listen to other radio channels or radio shows?
BK: Yes I do, infact I listen to some international online radio channels too.
PMR:What do you think about Uth Records and Coke Studio?
BK: I loved Coke Studio when it came out but ill be very honest apart from some performances the last two seasons were kinda disappointing and a bit of a drag, I really hope they pick up again next season. Uth Records is very recent, the concept is nice and so far ive liked some performances from it.
PMR:Who is one artist you want to play more on your show?
BK:I love Bon Jovi, and David Guetta, I always try and sneak in a few tracks on each show by these artists 😉
PMR:How do you interact with your fans, apart from your show?
BK: Well! Apart from the shows, I have two fan pages that I check on a daily bases and I regularly reply to mails. So my fans always get in touch with me very easily and there feedback is of paramount importance.
PMR:How do you spend your free time?
BK: I have 5 most gorgeous nieces and nephews and when I have free time im always with them tryin to sort their issues lol I love hanging out with friends and watch old movies or my dad’s plays.
PMR:What is your biggest achievement so far?
BK: my Biggest achievement so far has to be the Documentary I made for my father and the Legend Late Saleem Nasir Khan, it was a dream project and I feel blessed to have accomplished it.
PMR:Your biggest regret in life?
BK: We all make mistakes and then we learn from them and try not to make the same mistakes again, this is quite a tedious process itself it does’nt leave me with much time to regret about things, Im glad I made those mistakes its helped me grow as a person.
PMR:You are the daughter of the most versatile actor Late Saleem Nasir which is enough for you to be proud of. Kindly share some memories of him with us.
BK: I remember my father as a very loving person, he was not only bothered about his immediate family but extremely concerned about his friends and people he knew, he wanted to help everyone in any which way he could, even now when I close my eyes I remember his smile and his bright face. I was his youngest child and so he loved me to bits. I wish I had more time with him so I could learn more from him, that is something that often makes me feel deprived but I am very proud of him and im more proud of the fact that I am his daughter. May Allah rest his soul in peace Ameen!
PMR:Few months back you released a documentary on your father. What was the reaction of his co-stars when you approached them?
BK: “Zinda Yaadein” the documentary i made for my Dad Late Saleem Nasir Khan was a very special project. This documentary was my search to find the man behind the Legend, it has been the most moving journey of my life where not only did I see people stand up in respect for him but at several occasions I saw people breaking down to tears even after a long span of twenty two years…My Research started years ago, about his work and achievements, a few times I had to drop the idea but each year the confidence and belief to do this increased. 2011 proved to be my year and once again I straightened my thoughts and approached HUM TV to back me up. By just one phone call each, Dad’s co actors colleagues and friends agreed to give interviews instantly. I got a chance to meet people who I had either met when I was 5 years old or in some cases hadn’t met ever. I got a very warm welcome from all and seeing their unconditional love for Dad I was shaken. His absence will always be missed.
PMR:How was the feedback from the public?
BK: It was Alhamdulilallah very well received by the public, they loved it I got text msgs from unknown people telling me they loved ever second of the Documentary. Some people said it helped them get to know my dad as a person too. I want to take the opportunity through this platform to thank everyone who supported me during the making and who appreciated my work, Thank You.
PMR:Your most favorite
Movie: Dirty Dancing/ Pretty Woman
Series: The Big Bang Theory
Song: When Love takes over (David Guetta) and In these arms (Bon Jovi)
Food: Anything Italian
Brand: Louis Vuitton
Place: Dubai
PMR:Do you think that the quality of radio shows have decreased due to excessive channels?
BK: Yes I think to a certain extend it has because being original is quite a task in itself and to come up with a fresh idea seems tough when there are channels left right and centre hence quality goes down.
PMR:Your one wish that you want to fulfill before you die?
BK: I want to open up a Television Academy by my dad’s name. it was his dream to have something for all the artists of this country. Apart from that I want to meet Salman Khan and at least once interview him hehehe.
PMR:What are your future plans?
BK: I don’t reallt pre plan because it never works for me but I am considering doing television again.
PMR:What is the advice you would like to give to aspiring RJ’s?
BK: After being a Radio Broadcaster for almost 7 years now my sincere advice to all the aspiring young people out there would be, just be yourself because in the long run that is what people will remember about you if you are original. Be confident about yourselves and believe you have it in you. My prayers and best wishes are with all of you.
PMR:Your comments on PMR (PakMediaRevolution)?
BK: Well! First of all thanks to PakMediaRevolution for this interview and secondly I often go through the website and blog and I always find it very informative. Blogging is something that has recently really picked Pak Media Revolution is the way ahead for people who are interested in expressing their views and want to share their opinions with the world.Best of luck to them for the Future 🙂
