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BBC’s Raj & Pablo expos̩ clip surfaces web

A two-year old clip featuring BBC Asian Network presenter, Raj (of Raj and Pablo duo), using the station to leverage his position as a flagship Bollywood show presenter, has surfaced the Internet this week.

The 10-minute clip includes the voices of the ‘Love Bollywood’ show presenter and a “Bollywood film producer” discussing ways of promoting an “upcoming movie” through the radio show and other means, i.e. the duo’s monthly night club, in exchange for cash.

The revealing clip also has Raj boast about the power his radio show has. He claims that ‘Love Bollywood’ is the number one show and that it had enough power to convince listeners to watch a new movie or give it a miss.

The recording says; “Our radio show is the number one show where if we say a movie is going to flop…they [audience] don�۪t go and watch it.”

There are subtle hints by Raj that the station could be used a PR tool to promote movies. He points out to the “Bollywood film producer” that there were ways to promote a movie, be it low budget or a large without any obvious advertising. He says that this could be done through competitions, a live broadcast or general pre-hype before the film is released on the show.

May we add, whilst the clip is two-years old, this story has been uploaded today as BizAsia.co.uk received many emails regarding the controversial clip. The BBC has already investigated the matter and since then the presenter (s) has NOT been found in breach of any rule breaks of similar nature at the station.

A BBC spokesperson told BizAsia.co.uk, “The BBC took the original complaint in January 2008 very seriously and the matter was thoroughly investigated. Following on from that investigation, appropriate disciplinary action was taken against them.”

Questioned on how the BBC could let them (Raj and Pablo) stay on in light of this? It responded with; “We were satisfied that the presenters understood the seriousness of the matter.”