Raghu Ram On Quitting Roadies: Raghu Ram, the face of MTV’s Roadies alongside his twin brother Rajiv Lakshman, recently revealed why they decided to step away from the show after 11 years. Known for their intense and confrontational style, the duo’s approach became synonymous with the show’s format. However, Raghu has now shared how increasing interference from the channel and the pressure to exaggerate their aggression led to their departure. Also Read | Zarina Wahab on Aditya-Kangana Affair: “She Often Visited Home”
Pressure to Amplify Aggression
In a candid conversation on the Untriggered with AminJaz podcast, Raghu admitted that the channel pushed them to act more aggressively towards contestants, a demand he found increasingly difficult to fulfill.
“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. We were told to scream at people. 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,” he shared.
He further added that their decision to leave was rooted in a desire to stay true to themselves rather than conform to external expectations.
Reflecting on the Show’s Current Format
Raghu also criticized the current iteration of Roadies, pointing out that it no longer resonates with the audience the way it once did.
“What Roadies is today, is exactly what the makers want it to be. It’s not what I wanted to make,” he said. According to Raghu, the show now lacks the authenticity it once had, which is why it struggles to connect with viewers.
Rage and Personal Struggles Reflected On-Screen
Raghu admitted that his on-screen persona during Roadies was deeply influenced by his personal struggles and anger towards society.
“I was going through a f****d-up time where that guy (the Raghu on Roadies) was an extreme expression of my rage and relationship with society, with God, and with the concept that I felt I was lied to by society. So he came out, and it connected because I was honest… It didn’t come out because I thought it would work. Probably you are not connecting with it (now) because it’s not honest.”
He acknowledged that his behavior during those years could be polarizing, saying, “In those times I have behaved in a manner with which people would have a problem with it. But I was doing a job, is it right, is it wrong, I don’t know. It’s the same thing, influencing, Poonam Pandey, I don’t know… If you hate me for what I did then guilty as charged. I am not apologetic to you about it.”
A Departure Marked by Integrity
Ultimately, Raghu and Rajiv chose to leave Roadies in 2014 to avoid compromising their authenticity. For Raghu, the decision was about staying true to the show’s original vision and refusing to conform to a formula dictated by external pressures.
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