In the 1990s, Ruby Bhatia emerged as India’s first VJ and quickly became a household name. Miss India Canada winner Ruby moved to Mumbai, ventured into modeling and eventually found her calling in VJing, a then completely new concept that had virtually no competition. His popularity soared as he hosted multiple high-profile shows and events and reportedly charged close to Rs 1 lakh per show more than two decades ago. However, Ruby recently made headlines for a very different reason: by charging just Rs 1,000 for Instagram videos. This led to widespread speculation about his financial well-being, with many assuming that he was going through a difficult phase.
A Reddit post even cited his example when discussing the importance of early investments. But Ruby says the assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. In a recent interview with Bollywood Thikana, Ruby addressed the talk and explained the real reason behind her current work and prices. “I used to charge around Rs 1 lakh per show in the ’90s for hosting events. For shoots, I would charge per day depending on the needs of the project. budget“, said.
Reflecting on the drastic change that has occurred over the past two decades, Ruby, who had largely moved away from active work, explained why she suddenly started making videos and charging Rs 1,000.
“I have been living a quiet life for about 20 years. I am often seen in Lokhandwala with my family. The house we live in is about 30 years old, so I thought I would renovate it a bit, just paint and freshen up the space. But that turned into a slippery slope. Suddenly, there were carpenters and painters everywhere. What was supposed to be a small update turned into a full-scale renovation, something I had never dealt with before.”
Expenses, he said, increased rapidly.
“I spent almost 20,000 rupees every day. Halfway there, the COVID-19 The pandemic arrived and everything stopped. When the lockdown was lifted, I realized that nothing fit anymore and I decided to redo everything. The daily expenses began again. Over time, I spent a lot of money.”
Accustomed to a quieter lifestyle, Ruby said returning to a 12-hour filming schedule wasn’t an option. “I had to take care of my children, my house and myself. One day, while I was sitting in my car, it struck me: I was wondering if I could find a job that could be done over the phone. I needed to make money because my savings had gone into renovation.”
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Clarifying his financial situation, he added: “By the grace of God, I have everything. But my FD’s liquid money was spent. To rebuild that, I needed to work.”
Around that time, she was approached by an organization called WEE to host an event focused on women restarting their careers in their 50s. “When I read the script, it made me think: what would be my dream project? And I realized: life coaching. I had always wanted to be a life coach.”
According to Ruby, the transition felt natural. “Without even realizing it, and without charging, I had been offering life coaching since I was 25. Several women credit me for their achievements. That’s when I decided to make it a profession. Now people from all over the world approach me. I act as a mentor and sounding board.”
Explaining why she keeps her fees low, Ruby said, “In India, people are still hesitant to go to a psychologist but feel comfortable talking to a friend. That’s where a life coach comes in. I kept my fees at Rs 1,000 to keep them affordable.” He added: “If I charged thousands, only celebrities would approach me. I wanted this to be for everyone.”
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For Ruby, the choice also aligns with her personal philosophy. A spiritually inclined philosophy student, he says money and fame were never his goals, which is why he stepped away from the spotlight at just 30 years old. “This keeps me happy. I take two or three calls a day, I earn between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000, and that is enough. I only earn for daily life. I have everything else. Life coaching gives me liquid money.”
Ruby’s training encompasses personality development, meditation and weight loss. “I teach people how to lose one kilo in a day, completely safely and naturally. Overall, I have lost about 500 kilos. After both of my pregnancies, I lost 30 kilos each time. My program is very successful, with a healthy maximum of two kilos per week.”
At 51, with two grown children, Ruby says she could now pursue selective offline work as well. “I’ve started taking anchoring assignments again. But they won’t be cheap: I’ll charge industry-standard rates.”
Despite walking away from celebrity status in his heyday, he has no regrets. “I’m glad I’m not so famous that I can’t live a normal life. I’m grateful to be able to spend time with my kids and move around in public places.”