India’s First VJ Who Chose Spirituality Over Stardom: The Unconventional Journey of Ruby Bhatia

At the peak of her fame—when television visibility, money, and celebrity access were at their highest—Ruby Bhatia walked away. Not due to scandal, failure, or fading relevance, but because she was searching for something far rarer in the entertainment world: inner meaning.

India’s first-ever video jockey, a former Miss India Canada winner, and one of the most recognisable faces of early Indian music television, Ruby Bhatia once interviewed everyone from ordinary citizens to Amitabh Bachchan. She judged pageants, hosted global cricket events, acted in films and television, and became a familiar presence in millions of Indian homes.

And then, almost overnight, she vanished from the spotlight.

Fame Was Never the Goal

Born in Canada to Indian parents and later adopted by her aunt and uncle, Ruby’s early life was far from glamorous. Growing up as the only Indian child in a predominantly white school, she faced racism and cultural isolation.

“When I wore ethnic clothes on Diwali, kids would troll me,” she once recalled. “But those experiences made me stronger.”

Ironically, her entry into the world of pageants and television was accidental. She entered the Miss India Canada pageant casually—without ambition or expectation—and won. That victory brought her to Mumbai and altered the course of her life.

Despite her meteoric rise, Ruby had no dreams of stardom. A philosophy student deeply interested in God and spiritual inquiry, she didn’t even know what being a VJ meant when she auditioned.

“I had no idea what VJing was,” she later admitted. “I went for an MTV audition and got selected.”

Becoming India’s First VJ

When MTV partnered with Star TV to launch Channel V, Ruby became its sole video jockey for nearly six months—hosting every show, every segment, and quickly becoming a household name.

“I got exposure beyond imagination,” she said. “I met everyone—from the common man on the street to Amitabh Bachchan.”

That phase cemented her place in Indian pop culture history as India’s first VJ.

Contrary to popular belief, Ruby has clarified that she did not compete alongside Aishwarya Rai or Sushmita Sen. Instead, she served as a chief guest at a sub-pageant and presented one of the titles.

Love, Marriage, and Heartbreak

During her Channel V days, Ruby married singer Nitin Bali. The relationship, however, lasted just two years.

“We were very young—20 and 22,” she reflected. “It looked like a Bollywood dream, but many things didn’t align. Our parents pushed us into marriage.”

After the divorce, Ruby stayed away from relationships for nearly a decade.

Her life partner eventually came into her life not through glamour—but through spirituality. She met Ajith at an ashram. Today, he is her husband, guru, and the father of her two sons.

“I am extremely thankful for him,” she said.

Acting, Television, and Discomfort With Fame

Ruby explored acting, appearing in popular projects like Kasauti Zindagi Kii, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, and Halla Bol. But acting never fulfilled her.

“I wasn’t happy doing negative roles,” she admitted. “I was 28, playing a 25-year-old’s mother. But at that age, you accept what comes.”

She also candidly acknowledged ego clashes with actor Ronit Roy, while maintaining a warm relationship with his wife.

Even her stint as a host for ICC cricket events felt transactional.
“I didn’t understand cricket. Kapil Dev taught me personally. But when Mandira Bedi took over, I was relieved. She loved the game. I was just doing an assignment.”

The Breaking Point at 30

At 30, Ruby reached an emotional and spiritual crossroads. While being a glamorous VJ by day, she was also a devout ISKCON follower.

“I was living two lives,” she said. “When I stopped my spiritual practice, I lost my energy. I had a breakdown. I kept asking myself—why am I doing this?”

Mumbai’s constant attention overwhelmed her.
“Everyone knew me. I had no privacy. I come from a place of nature and silence.”

That’s when she made the rarest choice in show business: she quit at her peak.

Life After the Limelight

Today, Ruby Bhatia lives a grounded, self-sufficient life in Mumbai. She homeschools her two sons, creates motivational content, and works as a life coach, helping people with weight management, emotional health, and personal growth.

“I help people find balance, happiness, and clarity,” she said.

She is content staying away from fame.
“I don’t have maids or drivers. I do everything myself.”

Looking back, she feels grateful she never became a mega star.
“Big stars can’t live freely. I had the best of both worlds.”

She also laughs about her celebrity faux pas—once calling Anil Ambani “Mukesh Ambani” and failing to recognise Rekha at an airport.
“She spoke to me, and I didn’t know who she was,” Ruby recalled. “Later someone said—Rekha ji looks so beautiful. She was my idol.”

A Quiet, Conscious Choice

In an industry obsessed with visibility, Ruby Bhatia’s story stands out not because she became famous—but because she walked away from it.

She didn’t disappear.
She chose herself.