Showing posts with label Rajiv Lakshman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rajiv Lakshman. Show all posts
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”.
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).
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.
We all know the reality and yet, behave as if it won’t happen to us-Raghu Ram
8:07 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 24, 2020)
In an Instagram post, television host and producer Raghu Ram shared that he lost his close friend Abdul Rauf to Coronavirus. Ram and his twin, Rajiv Lakshman both penned emotional goodbyes to their friend. Rauf started out as Ram’s driver and in 13 years, rose through the ranks to become the head of production at a content start-up.
Ram wrote, “...The grief I feel is indescribable, just like that of anyone who ever knew you. You came into my life in 2009 as Raju, my driver. But you surprised me with who you really were... A loving, honest, competent, hard working friend who had dreams, and the courage to go after them...”
Talking about his loss, Ram says, “He was like family to us and we are in shock. He had great inner strength, so it’s devastating that this has happened. He was 47, a non smoker, and a healthy guy, and this is a personal blow. He has been an integral part of our company. We learnt that his father, wife and he had tested positive but it is so tragic that he passed away three days after his dad did. His wife and three kids are now at home. If healthy people think that if they take care, they won’t be infected, they’re wrong. In reality, no one is safe from Covid-19. We all know the reality and yet, behave as if it won’t happen to us.”
Staying at home with his wife and young child, Ram points out that there’s lockdown fatigue setting in but we have to pull through. “We haven’t reached the plateau, so it will get worse before it gets better. I have a newborn, so we’re busy through the day. When one watches the news, you get a reality check as there are so many who are suffering,” he signs off.
Vikas Bahl dropped from Amazon Prime's next; to be kept out of Hrithik Roshan's Super 30 promotions?
8:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 8, 2018)
Barely a fortnight after Tanushree Dutta sparked the #MeToo movement in Bollywood, Vikas Bahl found himself in the eye of the storm over the weekend. The director was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of Phantom Films, which was further corroborated by his ex-business partner Anurag Kashyap on Twitter. In light of these allegations, mid-day has learnt that the National Award-winning filmmaker has apparently been dropped from a series that he was to direct for Amazon Prime.
A source reveals, "The project is being produced by Monozygotic Solutions, which is owned by Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman of Roadies fame. The show was a reboot of an Australian series that revolves around couples spicing up their sex lives. It was scheduled to roll by year-end. But with the latest controversy, Amazon wouldn't be comfortable backing it with Vikas on board. The production house has discussed the matter with Amazon, and will soon start scouting for another director."The weight of the allegations has understandably impacted the Queen (2014) director's other project — Hrithik Roshan starrer, Super 30, which also has him as a co-producer. Buzz suggests that Bahl will be kept out of the promotions. "The post-production has to be done under his supervision because it would be impractical to bring someone new on board at this stage. But after that, Vikas will be asked to dissociate himself from the film," says an insider.
Bahl was also in advanced talks to helm a show for Ekta Kapoor's ALT Balaji. mid-day reached out to Kapoor and Amazon Prime. Neither had responded till the time of going to press.
Yet another allegation surfaces
Rajat Kapoor was accused of sexual misconduct by two women on Twitter yesterday. A journalist revealed that he misbehaved with her during a telephonic interview, asking her about her vital stats. Another woman stated that the actor had hounded her with phone calls and made her uncomfortable with his demand of shooting a film with her "in an empty house."
Roadies creators Raghu Ram & Rajiv Lakshman to guide young entrepreneurs through a new reality show
8:04 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 18, 2017)
Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman of Roadies fame will be make a comeback on television with what is being touted as ‘India’s first start-up reality show’ which will identify and transform youngsters into an ideal start-up team. They will be mentored by some of India’s leading entrepreneurs in their journey.
Speaking to Mirror Raghu says, “This exciting new show will be all about gutsy young minds keen on achieving their dreams. Rajiv and I saw a lot of potential in the idea and sat with MTV to conceptualise the show. We will not only be hosting but producing the show as well. We already have a long-standing connection with the country’s youth thanks to Roadies and aim to boost their confidence with this show.”
Rajiv points out that in a country where blazing one’s own trail is not encouraged, the channel is taking a brave step in giving a bunch of youngsters a platform to give wings to their dreams by kick-starting their journey as ideal entrepreneurs. “When we were starting out, Raghu and I had to go through a lot and so we understand their struggle. It takes a lot to give up on everything and start something of your own and we are here to make it easier for them,” he adds.
Rannvijay's marriage to be telecasted on YouTube
7:53 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2014)
Actor and popular VJ Rannvijay Singha is the latest to take the social media route to announce his wedding. A couple of days ago, he posted on his Facebook and Twitter page, “Wanted all of you to know from me, here it is. I’m getting married next month!! (sic)”
Now, he will be the first Bollywood personality whose wedding to his London-based bride, Priyanka Vohra, will be telecast on YouTube. Created by Colosceum Media and One Digital Entertainment, a web-series will be aired on Mondays and Thursdays.
Confirming this, Rajiv Lakshman, Chief Creative Officer, Colosceum Media, said: “I have known Rannvijay for years. His life has always been ‘happening’. He gets mobbed by girls, goes for adventure sports, and leads a rather interesting life in general.”
Added Gurpreet Singh, COO, One Digital Entertainment, “So we thought why not chronicle his wedding celebrations and the entire planning for the D-day. We are recording and digitalising the build-up to his shaadi including shopping for his trousseau and house hunting.”
Mirror has it that the wedding is slated for the third week of April. The roka will be in Dubai, followed by an engagement in London. The grand wedding will take place in Mombasa. Earlier, Rannvijay was in a relationship with VJ Anusha Dandekar. They parted ways in 2009.
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