New Delhi: Popular Radio Jockey (RJ) Sayema Rahman, who had hosted the show "Purani Jeans" on Radio Mirchi since 2003, is back on air. And she says that making friends with listeners goes a long way in winning audiences.

"It's not easy to hold the attention of the audience with only audio; it is a great challenge," Sayema, who has returned after a three-month sabbatical to woo Delhi with her show, told IANS.

"I had gone for a holiday. It was supposed to be a short holiday of two-three days but then I landed in Germany and felt that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. When I reached there I decided to extend my holiday a bit longer so that I could enjoy Europe to the fullest," she said.

RJs have now become youth icons and Sayema says it the interaction with the audience that counts.

"Some regular listeners become like friends and that is why they tune into the show every day."

Her show is now renamed "Purani Jeans - Naye Andaaz Mein" and has been on air from June 16.

Explaining the new format of the show, she said: "The show will now feature two new segments 'Hum Kale Hain Toh Kya Hua Dilwaale Hain' and 'Nayi Kameez' in which we will play melodious songs that will be not exactly retro but quite close to it."

She feels these "fresh segments" will add some zing to the original show and make it more interesting for listeners.

Winner of the Radio & TV Advertising Practitioners Association of India Ltd (RAPA) award for best RJ in 2004, Sayema takes her listeners to the golden era of Indian film music with her show. From the hits of Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi to Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle, she plays everything.

Asked how satisfying radio jockeying is as a profession, she said: "For me it started as a hobby, but nowadays it has become a very glamorous profession. In terms of job satisfaction, it is very satisfying.

"It is in fact, a lot of fun and when fun becomes work it no longer remains work!" she quipped. IANS