The interview that changed my life: Meeting Ramoji Rao

After facing numerous hurdles, I finally stood before Ramao ji Rao Garu in his Hyderabad office. This meeting was crucial; it would decide whether I would become part of his esteemed team. Having cleared all previous rounds with his most trusted lieutenant, Delhi Bureau Chief N K Singh, I was confident. My extensive career included eight prior jobs and a significant stint abroad as a journalist, making interviews a familiar terrain for me.

Our conversation started with a few mundane details, but he quickly got to the point. "Do you drink?" he asked directly. In journalism and the army, such questions are rarely asked or considered critical for selection. I was unprepared and uncertain whether to lie or tell the truth. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I chose honesty. "Yes, I do," I replied. His next question was, "How much?" I answered, "A bottle or so." He clarified, "In a day?" I quickly corrected, "No, maybe in a year or so. I drink so infrequently that I never bother to keep count."

His next question caught me off guard again, "Are you short-tempered?" I responded, "Generally not, but yes, sometimes." He said, "Do you lose your cool and get angry?" I reiterated, "Generally not, but yes, sometimes." He then asked me to elaborate.

I recounted a scenario: "Imagine we're planning a shoot at India Gate. I brief my team thoroughly, prepare a comprehensive list of equipment needed—from cameras to lights—and ensure they check everything off. On the shoot day, we recheck everything in the morning meeting. We reach the site, and suddenly, there's a terrorist attack. As a news person, I prioritize covering the attack. But then my cameraman informed me he had forgotten the cassette. In such a situation, I wouldn't be able to control my anger or know the boundary of my frustration."

Ramao ji Rao Garu listened intently and said, "Okay, you are selected." He then instructed me to see Bapi Naidu, the personnel head, who had been informed of my selection and was to make the necessary arrangements to bring me on board.

I was left marveling at an interview that focused not just on professional knowledge and skills but also on personal traits. Before I entered his chamber, he had a complete dossier on my career, personal life, and even my personality's shortcomings. Ramao ji Rao Garu was a man of meticulous detail, particularly in choosing his lieutenants, valuing character and integrity alongside professional prowess.