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Reflecting on his tenure, Raghu Ram explained how his on-screen persona wasn’t a calculated move to gain popularity.
Raghu Ram, a prominent figure of MTV’s Roadies, recently opened up about his decision to leave the show after 11 years as a key judge. Renowned for his intense interactions with contestants, Raghu’s persona became emblematic of reality television. However, his exit was not merely a career choice; it stemmed from frustrations with escalating creative restrictions and an increasing push for sensationalism within the show.
“As you grow bigger, you feel the pressure to cater,” Raghu disclosed, reflecting on his experiences. He and his brother Rajiv Laxman ultimately decided to walk away from Roadies due to excessive interference from producers, stating, “We were told to scream at people. It’s either that, or you have to dance to their tune.” This predicament illustrates the duality of success in the entertainment industry; while it brings recognition, it can also strip away an individual’s agency. “It’s a good problem because you are a success, but now you are no longer you. You belong to them,” he remarked.
Delving into his on-screen character, Raghu clarified that his portrayal was not an act devised for fame. Instead, it was a sincere outpouring of the personal struggles he faced at the time. “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,” he said. His authenticity resonated with viewers, stemming not from a strategic analysis of what might succeed, but from genuine experiences.
Regarding the current iteration of Roadies, Raghu expressed a sense of disconnect from the show, stating that it has diverged from the foundational elements he valued. “If you look at Roadies now, it is what they wanted to make. It’s not what I wanted to make,” he commented. Nevertheless, he refrained from disparaging the new creators, acknowledging their efforts. “I don’t want to call Roadies dishonest. I think they are doing a great job and they are doing what they want to do, that’s fine. I just wish they found their own personality because I think that’s much more interesting than trying to do things that you think work,” he added. This perspective reflects a complex balance between nostalgia for the original vision and respect for the new directions the franchise has taken.
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