Who is Ruby Bhatia? Former 90s VJ who once charged Rs 1 lakh now offers life coaching for Rs 1,000

Now 51, and a mother of two grown children, Ruby Bhatia said she is open to selective offline work in the future.

Ruby Bhatia, one of the most familiar faces of Indian television during the 1990s, has spoken in detail about her professional transition from high-profile anchoring work to offering life coaching services at a fee of Rs 1,000. A former Miss India Canada and widely regarded as India’s first video jockey, Bhatia was a prominent presence on music programmes, live events and celebrity interviews at a time when satellite television was still taking shape in the country.

During the height of her career, she was among the most sought-after presenters in the industry. In an interview with Bollywood Thikana, Bhatia said, “I used to charge about Rs 1 lakh per show in the 90s for anchoring events. For shoots, I charged per day depending on the project’s budget.”

Despite her visibility and earning power, Bhatia gradually stepped away from regular on-screen work and has largely remained out of the public eye for nearly two decades. According to the same interview, she chose to focus on family life and a quieter routine in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala area.

Return to public attention:

Bhatia has recently drawn attention on social media through short videos in which she promotes life coaching services and shares her contact details. In these clips, she outlines the areas in which she offers support, saying: “Personality development, weight loss, personal issues, fear, depression, anxiety, panic attacks – whatever I can help you with. I am there for you. Fee is Rs 1,000 and unlimited access.”

The videos prompted widespread discussion online, particularly among viewers who remember her from the early years of Indian entertainment television. Several social media users reflected on her earlier fame while responding to her current work.

One user wrote, “For 90s kids, Ruby Bhatia was everywhere, a familiar, confident face on TV, VJing, anchoring, interviewing. Seeing her reels today, offering life coaching, makeup tips, and even asking people to WhatsApp her for work for Rs 1,000, just feels heavy. Not mocking her at all. It’s simply a sobering reminder of how fleeting fame is and how important financial security in later years really is.”

For 90s kids, Ruby Bhatia was everywhere, a familiar, confident face on TV, VJing, anchoring, interviewing. Seeing her reels today, offering life coaching, makeup tips, and even asking people to WhatsApp her for work for ₹1000, just feels heavy. Not mocking her at all. It’s… pic.twitter.com/JAP2YPkZXp

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— Sapna Madan (@sapnamadan) January 29, 2026

Another wrote, “Ruby Bhatia took the spiritual path a few decades back. She is doing well and this is only an attempt to give back. A positive person she is, so wishing her the best.”

A third user expressed support for her current direction, saying, “She was a total livewire back then , bubbly, a little cheeky, and always bursting with energy as a VJ/RJ. She didn’t just host the show, she WAS the show. It is SO Nice to see her again. Always wondered where she vanished. Wishing her well”

Others also pointed to her professional milestones, with one viewer noting, “Many might not know, before Mandira Bedi, it was Ruby Bhatia who led the coverage for Sony in CT 2002.”

Financial pressures and home renovation:

In her interview, Bhatia explained that a home renovation project became a turning point in her decision to return to paid work. What began as a modest plan to refresh a house that is around 30 years old escalated into a major financial commitment.

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A post shared by Ruby Bhatia (@rubybhatia123)

She described how costs mounted quickly. “I was spending nearly Rs 20,000 every day. Midway through, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything stopped. When the lockdown lifted, I realised nothing matched anymore and decided to redo everything. Again, the daily expenses started. Over time, I spent a lot of money.”

Returning to long filming schedules was not an option for her at that stage. “I had to take care of my kids, my home, and myself. One day, while sitting in my car, I was manifesting—wondering if I could find a job that could be done over the phone. I needed to earn because my savings had gone into the renovation,” she said.

Clarifying her financial position, she added, “By God’s grace, I have everything. But the liquid money from my FDs was spent. To rebuild that, I needed to work.”

Move into life coaching:

Bhatia said her decision to formally pursue life coaching followed an invitation to anchor an event organised by WEE, which focused on women restarting their careers in their fifties. “When I read the script, it made me think—what would my dream project be? And it hit me: life coaching. I had always wanted to be a life coach,” she said.

Reflecting on her past experiences, she noted that mentoring had long been part of her life. “Without even realising 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. People from across the world now reach out to me. I act as a mentor and sounding board.”

Her coaching work covers areas including personality development, meditation and weight management.

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Reason for low fees:

Addressing questions around her pricing, Bhatia said the Rs 1,000 fee was a deliberate choice. “In India, people still hesitate to go to psychologists but are comfortable talking to a friend. That’s where a life coach comes in. I kept my fee at Rs 1,000, so it remains accessible,” she explained. “If I charged in thousands, only celebrities would approach me. I wanted this to be for everyone.”

She added that the scale of her work is intentionally limited. “This keeps me happy. I take two to three calls a day, earn Rs 2,000–3,000, and that’s enough. I’m only earning for day-to-day life. I have everything else. Life coaching gives me liquid cash.”

Now 51, and a mother of two grown children, Bhatia said she is open to selective offline work in the future. “I have started accepting anchoring assignments again. But those won’t be cheap—I’ll charge standard industry rates.”