Interview: Presenter Anita Rani
THE WICK: What does a typical Monday morning look like for you?
ANITA RANI: There is no typical anything in my life. Which keeps it exciting and works for me. Generally I like to get up early, drink a big glass of warm water and if I can, get my exercise out of the way first thing. I love running, only ever solo. It clears my head and I can have a good think. A lot of ideas are incubated on those runs and weather is no obstacle to me getting out. Tomorrow morning is filled with various things that need doing for my new podcast, which I’m producing myself. Setting up a production company has been on my mind for the last 10 years but I firmly believe in timing and now is that time. So lots of meetings and then I’m getting a train to Devon to film Countryfile on Tuesday morning.
TW:
Hosting Woman’s Hour places you at the centre of national and cultural conversation, what is the most important one that you’ve had?
AR:
The ultimate conversation is on going, that of what it means to be a woman on earth, how we move through life. It’s a programme that tackles every subject through the lens of being a woman. Outside of being on the radio. I’ve been lucky enough to make a variety of global documentaries as well as being a UNHCR goodwill ambassador. And quite frankly women around the world are facing similar challenges.
TW:
In an increasingly fractious world what are the key three factors which help you decide what cultural and creative stories deserve to be told, not just as an antidote to geopolitical moments?
AR:
The more stories we tell the better. As someone who grew up in a Britain where I rarely, if ever, saw my experience, I’m hyper aware of the need to platform different voices with different perspectives. We have a brilliant small army of producers on the programme who make sure we cover everything from politics to business to health, we need to be part of the national conversation and make sure we are speaking to our audience, who are broad and happen to be 50/50 men and women. Personally the arts is where I feel we can cover the widest variety of stories and as an arty farty type I love interviews around film, music, exhibitions, books, dance….my inner wanna be artist gets a good hit.
TW: Which female voice do you see as shifting our cultural landscape right now?
AR:
I had the great pleasure if interviewing Miriam Margoyles in front of an audience of 2500 people, Miriam is a rock star. I hugely admire her ability to speak truthfully and not self censor. Its liberating and empowering as a woman to spend time in her company. She made me want to be more fearless. She’s smart and hilarious and does not care one bit what anyone thinks of her. We more Miriam’s. A fearless warrior queen.
TW:
You’ve just created a new YouTube channel. What is your goal and how do you see digital platforms and new voices changing the way we view culture?
AR:
It’s time. As well as the podcast I’ve launched Anita Rani explores. A place to do whatever I want. I don’t have to wait for anyone to give me permission. I can make my own editorial decisions and if i want to do it I can. Utterly liberating. I’m very excited about reaching a global audience and working with people I want to. I have the freedom to commission any mini series exploring everything from my travels around the world and at home, I seem to be carving a nice little niche in the travel space. Plus my other interests of wellness, beauty, food, fashion….I’m currently thinking of a series about Pubs! And I’m open to and very excited by who I can collaborate with. Come find me.
“The more stories we tell the better. As someone who grew up in a Britain where I rarely, if ever, saw my experience, I’m hyper aware of the need to platform different voices with different perspectives.”
