Showing posts with label MTV Roadies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MTV Roadies. Show all posts
Lights, camera, North-east: With UP-Bihar setting wearing thin, filmmakers are exploring new landscapes
11:26 PM
With UP-Bihar setting wearing thin, filmmakers are exploring new landscapes but can they move away from old tropes?
Mohua Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 4, 2026)
For years, Bollywood’s favourite ‘badlands’ lay along the UP-Bihar belt of dusty highways and men with guns and grudges. Now, that compass is swinging North-East, once barely on the mainstream filming map.
In just three years, the region has become the backdrop for Hindi cinema and streaming’s biggest crime and thriller titles. Filmmakers are digging into folklore, cross-border politics, forest corridors, trafficking routes and scenarios where drug deals are struck, ministers beheaded, borders breached, and relationships tested. Basically, a fresh set of tensions and terrain for filmmakers to tap.
‘Anek’ director Anubhav Sinha’s conversations with his Tai Chi teacher from Nagaland led him to explore the churn caused by the stalled 2015 Naga Peace Accord to questions of identity. Varun Dhawan-starrer ‘Bhediya’ draws from Arunachal’s shape-shifting werewolf lore, Kangna Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ was shot across Assam, including Kaziranga and Karbi Anglong, and ‘Fighter’ staged key action scenes at the Tezpur Air Force Station.
And then came the OTT surge. ‘Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke’ shot in Meghalaya’s dense Tura jungles, ‘Paatal Lok 2’ filmed deep across Kohima using Nagamese and local actors. ‘The Family Man 3’ was set in hill and border towns like Kohima, Khonoma, Jakhama, and Jotsoma.
If you ask Simanta Shekhar, chair of the Assam State Film Finance and Development Corporation, this shift was enabled by the building of key infrastructure like roads and airports. The region is also not the tinderbox many outsiders still imagine. “There is less instability and crime indices are low, and people roam till midnight.” He adds, “Almost all the north-eastern states have a woman-centric society, which is reassuring to cast and crew who tend to ask, ‘kitna safe hai?’”
James Handique, the go-to line producer who facilitates shoots in the region, agrees. “People haven’t faced any tensions during shoots,” he says. Only Manipur, with unpredictable shutdowns, remains sensitive.
Where the region still lags is logistics. “Accommodation, availability of equipment and transport often decide whether a production stays or shifts mid-shoot to Thailand or Malaysia which have similar terrain,” explains Handique, adding that govts are now expanding homestays, developing community tourism projects, improving roads and investing in film infrastructure. “Compared to 2011, a lot has changed,” he says, but flying in 300 people from Mumbai is still pricier than shooting in Bangkok.
It’s why, for decades, Handique’s memories of filming in the region were limited to “a few sequences of the film ‘Koyla’ in Arunachal”. Oddly enough, it was reality TV that broke the ice.
“When MTV Roadies rolled into Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal around 2011-12 with a large crew and long schedule, they were amazed. They discovered three distinct visual worlds. Sikkim and Arunachal with snow-capped mountains, Assam with the Brahmaputra plains and rice fields, and Meghalaya with its caves and waterfalls.”
The big wave arrived after the pandemic, when the UP-Bihar template had been stretched thin. The NorthEast — visually spectacular, culturally layered — became an obvious next frontier.
When filmmakers dwell on the region’s darker side, Simanta doesn’t object, as long as the storytelling is fair. “They can show it, but in a positive way of how it’s tackled,” he says. Handique says that The Family Man 3’s depiction of Nagaland as a corridor for narcotics moving from Myanmar “is not factually wrong at all”. If done responsibly, he says, it “can bring the right kind of attention and awareness.”
States have sharpened their pitch. Assam’s new film policy — awaiting cabinet approval — promises “lucrative subsidy” and faster permissions. To help writers explore the region’s hidden histories and tales, Handique says a new writers’ room is forming. “I’ve handpicked regional writers and experts and connected them to national creative teams.”
Folklorist and Guwahati University professor Meghna Choudhury — part of this writers’ bench — hopes filmmakers begin noticing more than “forests, insurgency and inaccessibility”. Locals ensure that the nuances are captured right. For instance, filmmaker Tiakumzuk Aier doubled up as dialect coach, teaching Nagamese and fixing “small details” like names and pronunciation. His troupe from Dreamz Unlimited — among Nagaland’s biggest YouTube channels — turned up in force.
Aier himself appears as a cop in ‘Paatal Lok’ and a Naga minister in ‘The Family Man’. The unit, Handique says, had a crew of 2,000 per day, “out of which 200-300 were locals which gave them experience and training”. Anungla Longkumer joined ‘Paatal Lok 2’ as cultural consultant and was involved in things like scanning the script to making sure costumes of Naga tribes were in the right style and colours. On set, she had authority to remove anything that might “hurt the sentiments” of their communities.
She now wants writers to look beyond familiar tropes. “The region is far more than the headhunter or warrior tribe stereotype.”
I want to have the financial independence to hire the best lawyer if I have to without thinking twice-Rhea Chakraborty
9:32 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; June 8, 2025)
It’s a long-awaited sunrise for Rhea Chakraborty — an actress whose life was upended in the wake of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death by suicide in 2020. Vilified by the media and ostracized by much of the industry, Rhea became the face of a public witch-hunt that few could have survived with grace. Five years later, she is stepping forward into a new chapter—one not defined by controversy but by creativity, courage, and a quiet determination to rebuild. Alongside her brother Showik, she has co-founded a clothing brand that represents a fresh start. In a personal, long-overdue conversation with a leading publication, Rhea opens up about career setbacks, finding healing through work, and learning to move forward.
'Showik and I both lost out career paths because of everything that happened to us in 2020'
The reason behind starting a clothing store - Chapter 2 in Bandra, for Rhea was not born out of a choice. “We both kind of lost our career paths because of everything that happened to us in 2020. I had lost my acting career because no one would work with me at that point. We were like, ‘Okay, what do we do? We have to do something, right?’ It's okay that the things that we wanted to do are not happening. (But) You want to wake up and you want to have a purpose,” she recalls.
'It was really difficult to come to terms with acting no longer being a path that existed'
Rhea, a former video jockey, started her acting career in 2013 with Mere Dad ki Maruti. Her last film was Chehre in 2021. She admits it was frustrating to be not able to do what she wanted to.
“Honestly, it was really difficult to come to terms with the fact that the dream that you had since you were 17 and the path that you were set on for 10 years is no longer a path that exists. It’s not even like ab kaam dhundhna hai, it’s like ab koi kaam nahi de raha ya kar sakta hai. Even if somebody wanted to work, they were scared of the trolling. It's not like people didn't want to work, there was an interest, but it was not happening. Maybe their investors were saying no, or the platforms were saying no. At one point I had to take a stand for myself – Either I can be delusional and hope that it will happen one day, or I can be like if it happens one day, great, but I need to do something else because I'm young, I'm able-bodied, and I need to work. A large part of my healing will also come from working. If you're just sitting at home, you don't heal,” she explains.
'The trauma was long drawn'
After a tumultuous period in the public eye, Rhea reflects on the arduous process of healing and rebirth, as she learned to separate her identity from her profession. “The last five years have been really hard for me and for my family and for everyone in different ways. Healing is a process. It doesn't happen overnight. And the trauma was long drawn. It was heartbreaking. I did a lot of therapy sessions around the fact that, ‘Okay, Rhea, you're no longer an actor, and that's okay, and you need to let go of this dream because it's just not possible for you’. So, I had to break that piece of your heart and be like, now you don't beat for this role anymore,” she reminisces.
'It finally feels like a sunrise after a really long, dark, deserted, long night'
Having weathered years of scrutiny, Rhea has found strength in acceptance and joy in simplicity. Earlier this year in March Rhea and her brother got a clean chit by the CBI in the widely reported case. Rhea chooses to maintain a stoic silence about the clean chit, however, reflects on the year that has gone by: "Just one word for the year that's gone - Gratitude. It's been amazing. It finally feels like a sunrise after a really long, dark, deserted, long night. So, I feel like I wake up in the morning and I have tears of gratitude sometimes. The gratitude level is so immense that the small problems don't bother us as much anymore. And the small happiness and the small joys are now the big things.”
'Many people are getting to see who I am and not what they think of me'
The actress who became a victim of a media trial, admits she has evolved and credits her “life experiences” for the evolution. She also credits TV reality show Roadies for helping her heal.
“Roadies has been a huge part of my healing. The previous season was the first season that I came back to work... If there's any change that's happened to me, that's happened because of my life experiences. And of course, Roadies also does teach you a lot of things. It was a platform where I could be myself and not worry about judgment. When you've been brutally trolled the way, I have been, you kind of get a little bit close and cagey. Anything you say can backfire. If you go in a rickshaw also, people can call you names. Then you don't know how to be anymore in public. But with Roadies, I slowly eased up and I gave up the whole guard and I could just be more me. Many people are getting to see who I am and not what they think of me.”
'Want the financial independence that if I ever need a lawyer, I don't have to think twice'
While she has been away from movies, she continues to work as a podcaster, a Roadies mentor, and now an entrepreneur. Ask Rhea what she wants next, and her response will warm anyone's heart. “The one most singular goal that I have is of course my parents and my brother to be happy and peaceful and then to have enough money and financial independence that if I ever need a lawyer, I don't have to think twice. I can just hire the most, the best lawyer without having to think even one second about how expensive they are and how to get the money for it. So that's my financial goal. And whenever I get to that goal, I shall be at peace,” she signs off.
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“In my life experiences that I have lived, and I have lived a lot, I feel like everything that you planned is just a thought process. Whatever has to happen will happen. I like going with the flow a little bit in terms of what I want from my life is that I want to put in my 100% and I don't want to look back few years from now and being like, you didn't do enough. That's the one regret I don't want to have.”
I quit Roadies because we were told to scream at people-Raghu Ram
9:02 AM
Television host and actor Raghu Ram recently opened up about why he and his twin Rajiv Lakshman, decided to quit hosting the adventure reality TV show Roadies.
Raghu shared “too much interference” from the channel caused the brothers to quit after 11 years of hosting the show in 2014.
The brothers were known for their harsh confrontational demeanour towards every Roadies contestant. However, Raghu revealed that they were pushed to be aggressive, an approach that made him and Rajiv uncomfortable.
“We were told to scream at people. [But] As you grow bigger, you feel the pressure to cater. I felt it; that’s why I left Roadies. Rajiv and I walked off because there was too much interference,” the anchor said during an appearance on the Untriggered with AminJaz podcast.
The 49-year-old added, “It’s either that, or you have to dance to their tune. It’s a good problem because you are a success, but now you are no longer you. You belong to them [the executives].”
He went on to add that the show — 10 years after his exit — is no longer aligned with his vision for the show. “Roadies now is what they wanted to make, it’s not what I wanted,” he mused, noting that the once-popular show now doesn’t connect as much with the audience because it “lacks honesty”.
Neha Dhupia says Bollywood colleagues did not support marathon to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene
8:23 AM
Neha Dhupia, who is organizing a marathon to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene, rues that Bollywood colleagues didn’t support the initiative despite her requests
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; November 14, 2024)
It was an encounter during one of her morning runs that led Neha Dhupia to organise a marathon to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene. The actor recounts, “I saw a senior coach scolding a boy, saying, ‘Why are you running like a girl?’ I found that offensive and questioned the coach, asking him, ‘Sir, what do you mean by that? Girls are outrunning everyone.’ It bothered me that even today, we talk like this. Anita Lobo, who is also a runner, saw this and asked me if I’d be interested in initiating a marathon.”
Set to take place on December 8 at MMRDA Grounds, GoFloRun aims to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and women’s health. “In cities, we’re talking about tampons, menstrual cups, etc. But in rural places, girls have to drop out of school after the onset of their periods. That’s the disparity we are staring at,” she exclaims.
Besides putting her might behind the cause, Dhupia requested her colleagues in Bollywood to lend their support. But she was left disappointed. “I reached out to many people and told them to do a photo-op. But all of them turned down, saying they were busy. Otherwise people are free. But when it comes to helping, no one does it,” she rues, adding, “I get when artistes choose to be silent over certain matters on which their opinion can cause hurt. But for these causes, it’s good to use our voice.”
Dhupia, who is currently shooting Roadies 20, says that even at work, she ensures that her surroundings are gender-sensitized. She notes, “Our sets have become much better when it comes to access to hygiene for women. I’m doing a show where we’re on the road, and we all are sensitive about the hygiene and comfort of all the women working with us.”
My mental health, marriage suffered because of Roadies-Raghu Ram
11:19 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 12, 2024)
Raghu Ram, former judge and executive producer of Roadies, has opened up about why he exited the reality show in 2014 after appearing on it for 10 seasons.
Sharing how it took a toll on his marital life with actor Sugandha Garg, whom he parted ways with in 2018, the producer-actor said, “Personally, my life was going through a lot of upheaval because of the surrounding craze [for the show]. My marriage was suffering. Ultimately, I got divorced.”
Ram, who worked on the show with his brother, producer-actor Rajiv Lakshman, also spoke about how it took a toll on his “mental and physical health”. “So I stopped, and I’m glad I did. Not one day have I regretted walking away,” he said in an interview to India Today.
This is also why it didn’t matter to him that his departure happened at a time when the show was at its “peak”. He explained, “I was done. I was fed up. I walked away at the peak of it for two reasons. One was because MTV wanted to make the show a certain way, which I did not agree with. They wanted a certain populist kind of angle to it.”
When asked if there was a possibility of him returning to the show, he revealed he was even offered to join. “We were asked, but no, I don’t want to. I haven’t seen Roadies ever since I left. It is not ‘that’ Roadies now,” says Ram, who went on to act in films such as Jhootha Hi Sahi (2010), Tees Maar Khan (2010) and Keedaa Cola (2023).
This year has been normal for me after three years. It’s very important for me to feel normal-Rhea Chakraborty
8:32 AM
Celebrating Diwali this year, Rhea Chakraborty discusses battling trauma with therapy and returning to work with Roadies 19
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 14, 2023)
The last time we met Rhea Chakraborty was in October 2021 at a quaint café in Khar. Just as she had got out of her car, she was hounded by the paparazzi for pictures. Fresh out of her own scarring experience at the hands of the media, she was suitably startled. Throughout the meeting, she was skittish. It has been over two years since then. When we return to the same café this time, Chakraborty is approached by a fan for a selfie. She kindly obliges, wearing a confident smile.
“Life has come a long way. This year has been normal for me after three years. It’s very important for me to feel normal. I love the fact that I can be out and about, doing regular things,” she says.
What is ‘normal’ after the storm that Chakraborty has braved through? After her boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in June 2020, she was arrested in September 2020 by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a drug-related case. The actor spent 28 days in Byculla jail as an undertrial before being granted bail.
“Normalcy comes from different things,” she reflects. “I am aware that I am widely recognized by people because of the extensive and unwarranted media coverage that I got because of what happened in 2020. A year ago, I was uncomfortable with the media around. I was still coming off the PTSD [Post-traumatic Stress Disorder] of 2020. A lot of it was about cameras being there. There was yelling, screaming, hounding and mostly harassment. It used to bring back memories earlier. Over time, I was thrown into situations where I was required to go out, meet people and get photographed. It has taken a lot of therapy to be able to stand in front of 100 media people and get clicked. Time has also done its trick. I am feeling confident about myself.”
Her confidence shows. In the past year, Chakraborty has hosted Roadies season 19, featured in several shoots, and even addressed a conclave, her first appearance on a public platform since 2020. Slowly, she has embraced the person she has become—someone who is wiser thanks to the experiences, and knows that grief should be made place for, not battled. She admits that like it happens to every celebrity, she too had nearly no place to grieve privately when calamity struck.
“In the first few months, I was thrown into a storm, and it was a spectacle after that. But honestly, grief is something that lingers. It doesn’t go away. Your grief stays and your life grows around it. Healing is about facing our own emotions and the pain that comes with it. In therapy, I realized how to stop letting it take over my life.”
From the NCB landing at her doorstep to having to do prison time, to being trolled mercilessly, Chakraborty’s is the classic case of a woman who paid the price for patriarchy. Till date, she says that her endeavour is about putting the spotlight on the tabooed subject of mental health.
“Are we aware enough? No. Tier-2 and 3 cities, and villages have a long way to go as far as [awareness around] mental health is concerned. Mental health is the real pandemic that we realized during the pandemic. It was sitting right there amidst all of us and we just brushed it under the carpet. I hate it when people say, ‘Pagal ho kya? Don’t waste money on doctors.’ Our parents and their parents didn’t have the awareness; they called it a rough patch. But one needs support and kindness through it.”
Have people become kinder in the post-pandemic world, after seeing the fragility of life? “I am not sure. I am still one of the most trolled people online. But in the eye of the storm, I saw kindness. I had friends rally behind me, help me and my family emotionally and monetarily. That gave me strength. Our society is patriarchal. But from my story, I have realized that the women-pull-each-other-down narrative might exist, but there is a strong wave of women standing together and flourishing.”
Activist Sudha Bhardwaj, who was in Byculla jail at the same time as Chakraborty, had revealed how the latter had danced for all the inmates the day her bail came through. Recently, at the conclave, the actor recollected how she and the other inmates—all surviving on their resilience—would find happiness in simple, small things.
“If there are tough times in life, you somehow get the strength to fight back. In prison, I met people who have been through so much and remained strong. Truth is powerful and reiterating that to yourself, gives you courage. I deeply cherish my parents and my brother. We made it out alive and smiling because of each other. If their emotional support didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Earlier this year, there was judicial relief for her as the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) decided not to challenge her bail in the Supreme Court.
Work-wise, Chakraborty is back on the map after Roadies 19. Considering the actor started her career with MTV, it was a homecoming of sorts. “The person who was on my first show, Teen Diva, was on this show too. Debbie [Deborah Polycarp, MTV Content head] had made me a VJ, she came to me with Roadies this time. I enjoyed Roadies because it’s a lot like real life—contestants go through a lot physically, emotionally, and they have to rise above it. I got to experience human resilience on set. But the first day was very emotional for me. It was the same studio and same vanity van where I shot Chehre (2021). That was the last time I ever shot anything. I was anxious. I felt I didn’t know how to be in front of a camera anymore. But the what-ifs vanished once the camera rolled.”
It might be a studied conclusion that one has drawn, but it seems the actor is not getting much work in Bollywood. Are people scared of hiring her? “I feel there is still a sense of fear on that front, but I’m hoping it normalizes soon. A lot of it has calmed down, and honestly, the power of trolls is gone.”
We met her a few days before Diwali, and obviously one wonders what are her plans for the festival. It will be a family affair, she says. “I stand in the kitchen pretending to help my mother, but I am actually only trying to eat the treats fresh off the stove. We were posted in places across the country because of my father’s Army job, so my mother’s cooking has a wide range—from aate ke laddoo to shakkar pada to mixtures. I have been eating laddoos daily for a week. The tranquility of wearing a kurta and sprawling on the couch, knowing well that you are surrounded by love is the best,” she grins.
She is right. The storm has passed and like Haruki Murakami said, “Once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.”
Rhea Chakraborty with Gautam Gulati, Sonu Sood and Prince Narula
It feels good to be back to work, being independent again-Rhea Chakraborty
8:35 AM
Sundas Jawed (BOMBAY TIMES; October 30, 2023)
Actress Rhea Chakraborty, who was in Kolkata on Thursday to participate in the Calcutta Monsoon Derby 2023, has been in the news recently for her strong comeback with a Roadies win. On the sidelines of the races, she spoke to us about her career and more. Excerpts:
About getting back to work after a break
It feels really good. Work is always good, it’s therapeutic. It’s a confidence booster to be working and being independent again.
About her Kolkata visit
This is a short trip, but I definitely look forward to coming here and eating as much as I can – from phuchkas to egg rolls to bhapa illish and sweets. I’ll definitely take back some sandesh. I’ve just been able to get breakfast, lunch and snacks from unnamed places this time and in Kolkata, all places serve great food. We used to come to Kolkata often to visit my jethu dadu, who used to live in Lake Place. He passed away recently.
I’ve heard that Pujo themes are getting very innovative these days in Kolkata; that there was even a phuchka-themed pandal this year.
About the journey from Teen Diva and to Roadies
It has been a full circle for me. The journey from Teen Diva to Roadies has been my life journey in a way. Roadies is exciting, as it’s a lot like life – has a lot of ups and downs and many challenges. I had a lot of fun!
Celebrating Durga Puja in Mumbai
We visited pandals close to our house, had Bengali food at home and friends came over for lunch on Dashami. I haven’t been in Kolkata during Pujo for three-four years now, but I’ve heard that themes are getting very innovative these days; that there was even a phuchka-themed pandal this year.
About attending a race in Kolkata
I have attended races in Mumbai and Pune, but this was my first time in Kolkata. I love the energy, the vibe and the strong heritage feel to it.
Roadies rejected me 17 years ago, today I am a judge on it-Gautam Gulati
9:15 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 24, 2023)
Gautam Gulati’s journey in showbiz came full circle when he joined the judging panel for the 19th season of Roadies -- Karm Ya Kaand, the same reality show he had auditioned for around 17 years ago. He recalls, “Though my audition went well, I was rejected. So, when the makers offered me to join the show as a judge, I decided to take it up and check it off my list.”
The show has become a topic of discussion due to the ongoing and constant conflicts between Prince Narula and his co-judges Gautam and Rhea Chakraborty. Talking about his altercations with Prince, Gautam says, “I don’t understand what his problem is. I used to like him but that was before I witnessed his dual personality. He is short-tempered and is probably not happy about the presence of new judges. I overlooked his brash behaviour for as long as possible, but when he went overboard, I had a discussion with the channel. Even Salman Khan called him and told him that he was roped in as a judge and he should act like one. Though he apologized, he was soon back to his rude self. Some people don’t change. Aap badtamameezi kar lo, bolo ki aapki aukaat kya hai... he may believe its good for the show but I don’t agree with it. We have to consider the young viewers. Maybe, Prince likes doing all of that. It’s better to distance myself from him. I can’t stoop to his level. However, if he disrespects me again, I will take a strong step.”
He adds, “I am way senior to this guy. It’s fine not to respect your senior, but don’t disrespect him. He has won a few reality shows, and I have done 25 shows. However, I don’t believe in boasting or flaunting my achievements or wealth, as it is against my principles. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what was happening on the show, and I found it shallow. Maybe, my presence is becoming a problem for him. If he feels intimidated by me, it’s not my problem. He can claim that the show is an emotion for him, but I believe I am more dedicated and committed to it.”
Talking about his journey in showbiz, after winning Bigg Boss 8 (2015), Gautam took a break from daily soaps to focus on films. However, his Bollywood career didn’t take off the way it was expected to.
Ask him about it, and he replies, “I am not desperate for work and prioritize quality over quantity. Besides, filhaal bade badon ki films nahin chal rahi hain. Risk lekar hain mujhe bhi koi kaam nahi karna. I will wait to take up a project that resonates with me. Everyone knows how difficult it is for an outsider to make a breakthrough in films. Earlier, I was a bit impulsive and would take up projects only to eventually realize that either my role was reduced or the film didn’t release. It was a difficult phase but I chose not to blame anyone. Currently, I am reading some scripts and hopefully will soon be seen on an OTT platform. In the meantime, I am focusing on my businesses. An actor must have an alternative source of income to avoid any financial difficulties.”
Roadies: Gang leaders Gautam Gulati, Prince Narula's heated argument delays shoot
8:49 AM
Gautam Gulati, Prince Narula, Rhea Chakraborty and Sonu Sood
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 7, 2023)
Tensions always run high on reality shows. The road-adventure show Roadies, which has often got the young blood up and about, is no different, especially when moods, egos, and energies clash. During the shoot of a recent episode, Prince Narula and Gautam Gulati, two of the show’s gang leaders, got into a heated argument. So much so that the shoot had to be paused for four hours.
As per a source on the set, the issue began with a contestant’s decision to choose Gulati over Narula as his gang leader, over which the two got into a heated argument. Not one to take these insults lightly, Narula shot back at Gulati. The situation quickly got out of hand as they got physical with each other. Host Sonu Sood and gang leader Rhea Chakraborty had to intervene to control the issue and prevent the situation from escalating.
On condition of anonymity, a source informed, “It was like watching two kids in a playground fighting over a toy. They were behaving insecurely and were constantly trying to upstage each other.”
Since the 19th season is tagged ‘Kaand’, the source claimed, “It [seemed] like they were trying to cause an issue just for the sake of it. Both seemed determined to [escalate the issue], which was unnecessary. If Sonu and Rhea had not intervened, it could have gotten even uglier.”
Sources also claim that those present on set were shocked at the intensity of the argument. Unhappy with the incident, the makers had to halt the shoot, causing an extension of the schedule for the whole team. It remains to be seen whether Narula and Gulati will be able to put their differences aside and work together on the show.
Your sense of achievement isn’t defined by the length of your trailer-Neha Dhupia
8:26 AM
In the fickle glamour world, Neha Dhupia has been holding onto her spot in the limelight for 20 years. She talks about keeping the unconventional ex-Miss India story going
Nasrin Modak Siddiqi (MID-DAY; August 7, 2022)
At the recently held Miss India contest in Mumbai, former Miss India, Neha Dhupia was felicitated on stage. It was a night of many firsts—the first time that former Miss India Neha Dhupia’s father saw her being crowned. The first time her children were seen on a public platform. The first time her parents, her husband and children were on stage with her. For Dhupia, 20 years after being crowned Miss India 2002, this was a joyous moment she could not describe in words.
We meet her on a rainy Tuesday afternoon to talk about her journey over a cup of black coffee, and are charmed by her effortless style. In a freewheeling chat, she speaks about body acceptance, her choices of work, of being a relevant outsider to the film industry, and yet being relevant, and how she became one of indie cinema’s most recognized names.
The Miss India crown gave Dhupia a reason to always have her chin up. This time though she looked and felt different, and another sense of achievement loomed. The atmosphere was as euphoric as it was 20 years back; only now she had a personal army and a team behind her. “When you win Miss India, it’s a stamp of approval that you’ve worked hard on something. Being re-crowned 20 years later is a moment of joy. I thought I was prepared for it, but when I saw a clip of friends I’ve had for 20 years talking about it—I got a little fuzzy,” says Dhupia, who felt this was an appropriate moment to bring her children on stage (they are shielded from the media). “In all probability, they will ask where they were—[I] can’t tell them ‘You were fast asleep on the most important day of my life’. We will withdraw into privacy with them, but just to be able to wear that crown, hold my children in my arms, have my husband and my entire life in front of me was priceless.”
Dhupia believes that the person doesn’t change when she is crowned in a pageant; things around her change. It becomes a problem if the person changes. “You have to remain that same person, put in the same amount of hard work, hustle, show gratitude, be excited about going to work and be mindful that it can be taken away from you if you don’t put in the effort,” she says. “If your chauffeur hasn’t come in, take a rickshaw and get to work. Your sense of achievement isn’t defined by the length of your trailer—all this gets taken away the instant you don’t bring numbers at the box office.”
This isn’t new-found wisdom; it’s an inheritance. Her parents told her to reach out to them when she needed to. “In the same breath they told me,” she adds, “hits and flops are not a problem—just the fact that you are going to work is great. If there’s a personal or professional attack, or you are not feeling good about something, that’s a problem. You could be the biggest star and not feel good about yourself. None of this is related.”
There have been times when Dhupia’s choices have paved the way for others, but sometimes they went unnoticed. Being cast as a cop when you are eight months pregnant (A Thursday), for instance; or to host a podcast (#NoFilterNeha); or to drive size-inclusive sartorial choices. Not to forget being cast in movies such as Ek Chalis Ki Last Local or Phas Gaye Re Obama, which would have been applauded more if premiered on OTT.
But Dhupia doesn’t have time for regrets. She has been reinventing herself at a time when very few people travelled from film to reality TV, successfully. She was the host on reality shows such as the Roadies for more than five years, where the target audience was between 18 and 24. “I don’t know if I did it too soon or if I was ahead of my time,” she reflects, “but I wouldn’t say I’ve been there, done that because that makes me a thing of the past. I want to be relevant continuously, and do work that people will watch. It’s tougher now because we live in the time of social media and 60 per cent of social media users are under 19. So how do you stay relevant in that market is the big question.”
Whether it is embracing greys, walking down the ramp for a plus size brand, or posting no-filter pictures on social media, Dhupia has been driving the change she wants to see and that’s an unabashed use of her crown.
Raghu Ram, Rajiv Lakshman, Rannvijay Singha to reunite
8:12 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 6, 2022)
Looks like actor-TV host Rannvijay Singha is returning to the iconic trio he was once a part of! Not too long after bidding adieu to his 18-year stint on Roadies, Singha is set to reunite with television personalities Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman for a dating reality show that the brothers are producing for an OTT platform.
Interestingly, Singha had started his career as a contestant on the same adventure reality show, which was the brainchild of the brothers. He’ll team up with them after 12 years.
Furthermore, we’ve learnt Singha will be joined by actor Gauahar Khan, who has earlier been a part of popular reality shows. The two will host the show, which will have civilians as contestants.
A source close to the production reveals, “It’s a show that will be divided into two phases. The initial phase will see contestants falling in love and the latter will be about them maintaining the relationship. The team has already wrapped up the shoot. Also, Raghu and Rajiv have been closely involved with the project, so much so that they have personally taken the auditions of the potential contestants.”
Singha, when asked about the development, says, “I am in no position to say anything about this, so I cannot comment on it.” Meanwhile, Lakshman and Khan maintain a “no comment” stance.
It’s disappointing that I’m no longer part of Roadies-Nikhil Chinapa
8:11 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 26, 2022)
Anchor-hostVJ Nikhil Chinapa, who has been a gang leader, contestant and also judged Roadies, will no longer be a part of the show. Nikhil has been associated with the show for many years and shares a great rapport with all the other gang leaders.
He says, “I am disappointed that I won’t be a part of Roadies now. They have changed the format, so none of my colleagues will be part of it either. We used to look forward to it every year and it would be great fun. I started off as someone who selected the contestants, then as a gang leader, and I was also actively a part of the selection process for many years. It used to be a challenging journey, interacting with the crew and we contributed to the making of the show.”
Nikhil adds, “I guess the channel wants to bring in a fresh perspective. I am hoping that someone will rope the four of us — Neha Dhupia, Rannvijay Singha, Prince Narula and myself — and do a spin-off of the show.”
Ask Nikhil about Sonu Sood replacing Rannvijay Singha as the host and he says, “It is not entirely on Sonu Sood, it is also on the contestants to make the show entertaining for viewers. But I am sure he will have a great time hosting the show.”
I would like to bring a new set of value systems in Roadies-Sonu Sood
8:40 AM
Sonu Sood on hosting Roadies and how he plans to bring his own take to the show as he replaces Rannvijay Singha
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 15, 2022)
For more than a decade, Rannvijay Singha, who won the first ever Roadies, hosted the reality show and guided contestants through the strenuous tasks. Now, taking the baton from him is Sonu Sood. Before the actor heads to Africa to shoot the latest season of the MTV offering, he discusses being drawn to the reality show and being the “no-nonsense” leader-host.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Have you been a viewer of Roadies or other reality shows?
I have been following Roadies for years now. It is one of my favourite reality TV shows because it has an X factor. That’s what makes me more excited about our association. I am looking forward to being a part of the exhilarating journey.
What do you like and hate about reality shows?
Reality shows have an intimate touch to them. One can connect and get attached to the participants and their journey. There is a relatability value. I think that’s what makes them successful among the audience. As a viewer, I am drawn towards the same factors. There isn’t anything that I hate about them. [That said], it will be exciting to add a new element to it.
What was the brief given to you when the channel approached you?
I was already aware of the show’s concept. As far as the brief goes, it is more to do with me being myself in front of the camera. As a leader-host of Roadies, standing by your values and belief system is of utmost importance.
How do you plan to change the show?
Roadies doesn’t only test the perseverance of contestants, but also of the host. It is a challenging process, and takes a lot out of you. I have not set my mind to change the show in any manner. Having said that, I would like to bring a new set of value systems, perhaps. I want to add my values to the game show, what I stand for and firmly believe as a person. As a leader-host, I wish to bring my raw and real side to the audience, and stay true to myself while making a call.
What does a strict and no-nonsense Sonu Sood look like?
Wait and watch. There are a lot of surprises for the audience. I don’t want to give them away. I am sure you’ll love the strict and no-nonsense Sonu Sood.
One thing you hope you won’t have to do on this show?
I don’t have any reservations, and am going in with an open mind.
Did you have any preconceived notions about TV?
No, I have great regard for television. As an actor, I don’t believe in the division of the screen. As long as I have a medium to showcase my craft, I don’t mind where it airs — theatre, TV or OTT.
Rannvijay Singha quits Roadies; Sonu Sood to step in
8:34 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 4, 2022)
For 18 years, actor-VJ Rannvijay Singha has been associated with the TV reality show Roadies, whether it was as a contestant, host or mentor. However, the long relationship is coming to an end. We exclusively learned that Singha will not be seen in the 19th season of the show. A source says, “A new production house is helming the upcoming season. And Singha was not very pleased with the production house. So, they had to part ways.”
When we contacted Singha, he confirmed the news and shares, “The channel has been a key pillar of my journey, and I’ll be doing interesting work with them. In this edition, things didn’t work out for both sides. Our dates were not matching, and it was disheartening.” However, clarifying that there were no issues with the production house, he says, “I’ve been working with the channel for 18 years. I’ve done different shows with the network. Production house aur mera koi taal mel hai nahin,” he adds.
Furthermore, we’ve also learned that actor Sonu Sood is stepping into Singha’s shoes. Interestingly, he will be the only mentor-host this year and the face of the season. The makers have dropped the concept of gang leaders, resulting in actors Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula, and others having to bid adieu too.
The channel and Sood did not respond to us till the time we went to press. The new season will be shot in South Africa and will tentatively go on floors on February 14.
It was a big win to be back on Roadies when Mehr was 45 days old, and breastfeed her through its making-Neha Dhupia
8:11 AM
Returning to Sanak promotions within two weeks of welcoming baby boy, Neha proud to be among working mothers who are redefining the industry norms
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 16, 2021)
When we get on a call with Neha Dhupia, we hear the newborn’s cries before the actor’s voice. Naturally then, we begin by asking if she has decided on a name for her son yet. “Angad [Bedi, husband] and I keep vetoing each other’s suggestions, and are yet to find a middle ground,” laughs the second-time mother.
After welcoming her baby boy on October 3, the actor soon threw herself into the promotions for Sanak that dropped online yesterday. “Angad is shouldering a lot of responsibilities with Mehr [daughter]. The little one is more dependent on me right now.”
Sanak is a typical Vidyut Jammwal fare, loaded with action. “While it’s very much his film, I play a cop and have a strong [track]. It was only towards the fag end of filming Sanak that I realised I was pregnant. I shot the film in my first trimester.” Dhupia also plays a pregnant cop in her next, A Thursday.
Taking a sabbatical was out of question for her during both pregnancies. She asserts that it’s essential to change societal attitude and show that motherhood has little impact on one’s professional life. “They make us stronger, not weaker. We don’t need to sacrifice either professional dreams or personal aspirations. I shot a movie when I was eight months pregnant. I did that because I had become another person the first time around. I didn’t want to go there again. I didn’t want to be in a dark and lonely space, sitting at home. I focussed on being happy.”
Dhupia is proud that she pulled off two movies during her pregnancy. “It was a big win to be back on Roadies when Mehr was 45 days old, and breastfeed her through its making. But is there scope to make it more inclusive for women to start families? Of course. We could be more relaxed if our personal decisions didn’t affect our careers.”
I hope online auditions doesn't become the new normal for Roadies-Neha Dhupia
8:09 AM
Gang leader Neha Dhupia shares how they are conducting online auditions to zero in on the wild card entry for Roadies
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; May 26, 2020)
Even as the shoot of television shows have come to a grinding halt, the makers of Roadies season 17 are finding novel ways to maintain the momentum. While they had zeroed in on contestants before the Coronavirus lockdown, they are now conducting online auditions for the wild card entry."It is a format that works in the current situation," says gang leader Neha Dhupia, happy to stay connected with her fans despite the crisis. "The good thing about the lockdown is that we are reducing our carbon footprint by not going on sets. At the same time, we are not leaving our fans, who have been following the show diligently, high and dry." That said, the gang leader wishes to get the show back on the road as soon as possible. "I hope it doesn't become the new normal for Roadies," she says.
The charm of Roadies lies as much in the audition rounds — where the aspiring contestants would sit through a gruelling personal interview conducted by Dhupia, Rannvijay Singha, Prince Narula, Nikhil Chinapa and Raftaar — as in the tasks that follow thereafter. However, with the auditions going online, one fears that the personal interviews may become a tad too mellow. "Over video calls, it is difficult to gauge a contestant's mental strength and thought process. However, even in the 10 minutes that each of us chats with every contestant, we know exactly the kind of people we want to take on for the remaining part of the journey," insists Dhupia.
Reality shows have now adopted the straight-from-home concept amid lockdown
8:20 AM
Reality shows have now adopted the straight-from-home concept in a bid to get more viewers and participants from across India
Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 11, 2020)
The reality of present times is driving a ‘new normal’ for reality TV shows. Entertainment channels are tapping into digital opportunities to set the ball rolling for their non-fiction content, in an attempt to not just woo a new set of viewers, but also to open up an alternate gateway to push participation from across the country.For the first time, Kaun Banega Crorepati, for its 12th season, has rolled out a 100% digital selection and screening process for its contestants, amid the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“The fact that a large number people are homebound and spending long hours on TV and digital media, made it conducive, says Ashish Golwalkar, head — Content, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Digital Business. “We expect the participation to grow exponentially,” he adds, revealing that a digital process will soon be announced for their shows Super Dancer and Indian Idol, too.
There’s also Dance Deewane 3, which is employing a virtual screening process, enabling participants to stay safe and audition from their homes, through an app. The response has been “overwhelming”, says Manisha Sharma, head of content, Colors, adding: “We clocked 1,000+ entries in just two days. There’s no reason one should lose hope. We want our viewers to stay motivated during these tough times.”
Apart from that, viewer engagement is a key reason why MTV has formulated original content. While a first-of-its kind virtual audition for a wild card entry is happening for Roadies Revolution, the channel is also showcasing straight-from-home concepts such as Hustle From Home, a six-part series with rappers jamming from home, and Ace Quarantine, which has contestants trying to ‘ace the quarantine’ with specific tasks.
Be it amid the lockdown or even for the immediate future, straight-from-home content is becoming the norm, believes Ferzad Palia, head of Voot Select, Youth, Music, and English Entertainment, Viacom18. “Our properties have bridged the gap for new content on television. We’re adapting to the new normal,” says Palia, adding that shows riding on repute, such as Roadies, will continue to get traction.
Talking of that, to mark 25 years of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Zee’s flagship music reality show, the channel has planned a 25-hour music marathon on the web, with a concert with well-known names singing from the confines of their homes. “It’ll surely help uplift the mood of people across the world during the lockdown,” says singer Udit Narayan.
Reality shows witness dramatic pause after 21-day lockdown in Mumbai
8:24 AM
Judges Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestants sent back home, India's Best Dancer makers put them up in a hotel to wait out the Coronavirus lockdown
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; April 1, 2020)
While the March 15 decision of suspending shoots threw the telly world into a tizzy, the reality show participants — who come from across the country to showcase their talents — were among those affected. The reality shows that were on floors included India's Best Dancer, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs and Roadies 18.
A source from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs informs that no sooner had the cine associations announced the suspension than production house Essel Vision and Zee arranged for the participants' transport back home. "On March 19, the children and their parents were sent home," says the source.
The contestants of India's Best Dancer were not as lucky. Choreographer Pratik Ramesh Utekar informs that he was heading for shoot on March 18 when word arrived that the stint was cancelled. While the Mumbai-based participants were home-bound, Frames Production put up the rest at a Saki Naka hotel. Contestant Paramdeep Singh shares, "Seven of us have been staying at the hotel over the past two weeks. The studio has ensured a comfortable stay, even arranging doctor visits for us."
Meanwhile, the unit of Roadies was shooting in Chandigarh till March 15. A source reveals, "The channel heads acted swiftly, ensuring that the participants had returned to their respective cities by Monday [March 16]."
Malaika Arora with a contestant on India's Best Dancer
Bala is the perfect script to bring back Vicky Donor's Vicky and Ashima-Yami Gautam
7:58 AM
Yami Gautam on reuniting with first co-star Ayushmann Khurrana and how the definition of beauty has changed
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 1, 2019)
Seven years after making their Bollywood debut with Shoojit Sircar’s 2012 romcom,Vicky Donor, Yami Gautam and Ayushmann Khurrana have reunited with Dinesh Vijan’s upcoming satirical-comedy, Bala, which also features Bhumi Pednekar. The duo has known each other since they were kids— the 35-year-old actor has interned under Yami’s father who heads a Punjabi channel in Chandigarh and shot a documentary with him.
“When he was doing Roadies, I was in high school and my friends would gloat because a boy from our city had made it to the show. I was even more proud because Ayushmann is a family friend. He will always be special because he was my first co-star and Bala is the perfect script to bring back Vicky and Ashima. We spoke a lot about Vicky Donor. Back then, no one was watching their calories and we would gorge on the sets,” Yami reminisces with a laugh.
Incidentally, while filming in Lucknow for Bala, they also ran into their first director. Shoojit was in the City of Nawabs, shooting his next directorial, Gulabo Sitabo. “Ayushmann and I were on his set at different times but being with Shoojit da and Juhi (Chaturvedi, scriptwriter) brought back fond memories of our time together. The Bala journey was also smooth and organic. And I was thrilled when Ayushmann bagged the National Award (Best Actor for AndhaDhun, which he shared with Vicky Kaushal who won for Uri: The Surgical Strike). Our city is doubly proud of him now,” the actress smiles.
In Bala, she plays Pari, a Tik Tok star, and describes her character as the princess of her own world and a filmi drama queen who loves to perform to ’90s songs. “Pari is straightforward and says what she believes in irrespective of whether anyone agrees with her or not. The aspect of the society that Pari represents is significant to the narrative and its message,” Yami shares, saying her muses for this role were the decade’s star actresses Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla whose Chaalbaaz, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke respectively, rank among her favourites. “It isn’t only about dialogue, they were effortless in the comic scenes as well.”
Bala revolves around a man grappling with premature balding and a dusky girl who is at odds with a society obsessed with fair skin. “Bala deals with several issues connecting back to society’s ingrained definition of beauty and the importance of self-love and self-worth which is above everything else,” she asserts.
Prod her on her personal take on the subject and she points out that the concept of beauty is extremely subjective. “Also, today everyone is individualistic. We must celebrate that and start focusing on the positives. As they say, one size doesn’t fit all. This is true for not just the audience but also those consuming several products,” she avers.
As the face of a cosmetic brand does she see the colour bias slowly diminishing with increasing awareness? “As the years go by and times change, the definition of beauty changes too. What was perhaps normal a decade ago, isn’t acceptable anymore. Today, even the brand I represent has evolved. Their line of communication has changed and that’s a strong and positive testimony of adapting to the times we are in,” Yami maintains.
A still from Vicky Donor; Bala (above)
At five months, my daughter has travelled to 15 cities-Neha Dhupia
2:30 PM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 27, 2019)
Neither pregnancy nor motherhood has slowed down Neha Dhupia. In fact, she has become super busy now! Currently, she is juggling a Colors Infinity chat show with being a hands-on mom to her five-month-old daughter Mehr and is also in the midst of shifting houses. “My life is crazy right now and I am loving it. Recently, I judged a beauty pageant in which contestants were asked, ‘What is the one thing you would do if you had superpower?’ They gave cliched answers, like changing the climate, but if you ask me, I would like to stop time! I am trying to do a lot of things together, so I need more time,” she laughs.
Ask her how she is managing everything and she gives the credit to her baby girl and husband Angad Bedi. “My daughter has already travelled to 15 cities already, nine of which were by road! And she has not troubled me at all. At three months, she knew her mum has a lot to do, and she is the sweetest person. My husband is so co-operative. You need a secure man to stand by you at all times. We have had to pull double shifts looking after Mehr and work,” she explains.
Not surprising, as nine days after she delivered her baby girl, Neha was back to work and started shooting for the adventure-reality show Roadies. And since she was nursing her daughter, she took her along, too. “I really thank the channels and the producers of my shows for the support. I had ongoing contracts with then and not for a second did they think about dropping me post motherhood. Instead, they provided me all the support on the sets. Times have changed now,” she says.
However, there were some people who trolled her for the weight that she gained post delivery. “I may not look like what some people expect me to but that is fine,” says the actress who is in a happy space.
Talking about the chat show, which will have Janhvi Kapoor and her sister Khushi appearing together in the first episode, Neha says that it was sweet to interview the Dhadak actress’ sister. “It was Khushi’s first time on TV and she was nervous, honest, cautious and vulnerable. I found it very cool. As for Janhvi, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Both of them share a great equation and it felt like I had walked into their apartment,” says the Tumhari Sulu actress, who got Janhvi to do push-ups on screen. Neha also has a surprise in store for Ishaan Khatter’s female fans who can look forward to the actor taking off his shirt in another episode. Interestingly, he appears with Rajkummar Rao as his BFF. “You can make out they are new to it as they are still getting to know each other,” says the host.
To a query on when she is planning to host the next season of her podcast #NoFilterNeha, the actress laughs, “I hope we have a season 4! Of course, there’s no reason not to, but I am not revealing anything now.” What she is more excited about right now is her first marriage anniversary. “On May 10, we will complete one year of marriage and we are planning to go on a holiday,” she says signing off.
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