Don’t turn the dial: Abu Dhabi’s Radio Mirchi is now called Kadak FM

The renamed Hindi station will feature new content, as well as old favourites

Kadak FM hosts, (left to right), RJ Fahad, RJ Vikrant, RJ Nikki, RJ Yachna, and RJ Mohit. Abu Dhabi Media

Abu Dhabi's popular Hindi radio station Radio Mirchi, home to contemporary and classic Bollywood pop hits and culture, will be rebranded as Kadak FM from Sunday.

The station will begin operations at 9am, on the same Radio Mirchi dials of 97.3FM in Abu Dhabi, 95.6FM in Al Ain and 88.8FM in Dubai.

Tracing its roots to the Indian subcontinent, the term “kadak” is referred to as an expression of joy and satisfaction. With that in mind, station head Sandeep Sud said the revamped offering will boast more local content, lots of cricketing action and vibrant new programmes, as well as retaining popular broadcasters and shows from Radio Mirchi.

“Our main focus through the new brand is to provide our audience with UAE-centric content and the best of Bollywood,” he said in statement released by Abu Dhabi Media, which runs the station.

“The offering will be underpinned by the 3Cs of entertainment – cinema, city and cricket – bringing the best of content, music, concerts and events to our listeners in the country.”

What’s on air?

The flagship weekday breakfast show Mirchi Mornings will now be called Kadak Mornings, with RJ Mohit still in the hosting chair. Running from 6am to 11am, the rebooted show will feature new segments, such as Sunny Side Up and Yallah, Let's Talk, which will focus on uplifting stories from the UAE and beyond.

Midday Mohabbat, with RJ Yachna, will return straight after the show. Running on weekdays from 11am to 2pm, it will retain its format of back-to-back love songs, only this time it will be spiced up with a dash of spoken-word poetry and celebrity interviews.

One show that will remain untouched is Total Filmi (2pm to 5pm). Hosted by RJ Nikki, the popular weekday show will continue to bring the latest Bollywood scoops and star-studded interviews.

The station also promises that Bumper to Bumper, from 5pm to 9pm, will return even funnier, with host RJ Vikrant's effort being described as "four hours of stand-up comedy."

Winding down weekday evenings, from 9pm to midnight, will once again be Purani Jeans. Hosted by the soothing baritone voice of RJ Fahad, the programme is an absolute favourite of Abu Dhabi's Indian community, with its wistful mix of classic hits from the golden age of Bollywood cinema.

Abu Dhabi Media's acting general manager, Abdul Raheem Al Bateeh Al Nuaimi, described Kadak FM as a new chapter in the company’s drive to service the UAE South Asian communities.

He said: “The launch of Kadak FM reflects ADM’s commitment to offering quality content, and will help further strengthen its position as an original content creator and leader.”

More details are available at www.adradio.ae