What makes ’Roadies’ so popular?

What makes 'Roadies' so popular?
Packed with pulsating stunts and tough guy acts, MTV's weekly reality
show 'Roadies' has managed to hook millions of Indians, from college
goers to school kids to housewives.

Five years after it came into being, MTV's 'Roadies' has proved to be
one of the most popular programmes on Indian television today and
thousands across the country send entries to participate in the
adventure show.

"I relish the show. You cannot predict what is going to happen next.
Every episode treats you to new adventure," said Kalpana Bajaj, a
Delhi-based housewife who has been following it for the last three
years.

"And the best part is that it is in Hindi. Had it been in English, I
might not have enjoyed it so much."

According to TAM (Television Audience Measurement) data of February
2008, MTV commanded the highest audience share among all music
channels during the telecast of the first episode of 'Roadies 5.0',
the fifth edition of the show, telecast March 22.

This year 13 contestants were selected after being auditioned for
attitude, tolerance and patience. The selected 'Roadies' are given
bikes to travel on a pre-decided route and assigned difficult
physical or rational tasks. A vote-out takes place at the end of the
show and whoever survives till the end is declared winner. And of
course it's all captured on camera.

The winner is rewarded a cash prize of Rs.500,000 and a bike.



"'Roadies' has a cult following today and the fact that it has at
least equalled the popularity of (MTV's comedy show) 'Bakra' is an
achievement in itself," Rannvijay Singh, the host of the show, told
us on phone from Mumbai.

Rannvijay, who sees himself as a confidant on the show where the
physical and mental calibre of a person is tested, is a winner of the
first season of the show.

The show started in 2003 with seven contestants biking across the
country to win a bike and is raging on even though it costs about one
tenth the cost of other reality shows.

Among the general entertainment channels (GECs), MTV succeeded over
the big boys like Zee TV, STAR Plus and Sony with a share of 9.83
points. And much of this is credited to 'Roadies'.

Raghu Ram, the brainchild and producer of 'Roadies', said: "I think
that the popularity of the show has increased by almost 2,500 percent
from the first season and has built a global appeal".

The show believes in making a contestant's life miserable so that
only the deserving person makes it to the end.

When asked about the age limit, Raghu said: "They have to be 18 years
old to participate in the show. We haven't fixed the upper limit."

Raghu maintains that the show has evolved over the year and tried to
introduce a new format every year. "This year, we have gone a step
ahead and gone international," he said.

In its fifth season, the 'Roadies' journey has gone beyond the Indian
shores and been extended to Thailand and Malaysia.

But what makes 'Roadies' so popular?

Raghu believes the main draw of the show is the honesty with which it
is shown. "Nothing is rigged on 'Roadies' and, in fact, now we are
even showing behind-the-scenes clippings. So nothing is made up and
that is the real punch," he explained.

"We don't give the contestants a TV, they don't have a mobile phone
and they aren't even allowed to speak to strangers," he said.

More often than not, the show has been criticised for influencing
young minds with offensive language and by showing outrageous tasks.

"People send me hate mails saying that we are aggravating the use of
foul language and spoiling children. But since we don't want to
offend the sensibilities of the general public, we add beeps wherever
abusive language is used," said Raghu.

Despite the controversy, it's raging on.

Ashish Patil, general manager and vice president (Creative and
Content), MTV, said: "Nothing like this show exists on TV. It is wary
of melodramatic judges and every emotion on the show is real.

"Besides, the thrills that the audience gets from the show are
incomparable to those in any other Indian show."

Source: IANS


'Roadies' go international
--By Meenakshi Shankar

Our 'Roadies' go international. They are out to discover Thailand and
Malaysia beyond shoppers' paradise and soothing spas.

And, of course, we will have the international Roadies Ashu, Nihal,
Shambhavi, Sonel, Prabhjot and Vibhor fighting it out in an
unfamiliar land amidst foriegn people speaking an unknown language.
Will Shambhavi fall in 'love' again? If, yes, who would be the lucky
one?

Follow the 'Roadies' as they travel from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi,
Langkawi, Port Dickson and the Genting Islands. Ashu, Nihal and
Vibhor wax and shave to look like lady boys! The Roadies are taken
to a floating market and are made to buy items from a given list, the
twist being nobody understands them. Ashish Patil, General Manager
MTV India and VP Creative & Content says,"All the tension built up
on 'MTV Hero Honda Roadies' up to the halfway mark is set to explode
as we hit Thai shores.

Here are the cult figures who are on their international jaunt.

Ashu

He hails from the small town of Saharanpur, has never board a flight
and is unsure whether he'll get food on the flight! From never losing
a task to winning immunity the maximum number of times, he sure is
one of the strongest contenders on the show.

Nihal

Another small town boy, he is shrewd and loyal at the same time. A
believer in shortcuts, he wants to become rich, the quick way. This
Casanova hooked up with both Shambhavi and Anmol. Though bad at
tasks, he showed his strength and vigilance at the most crucial
moment of 'Roadies'.

Shambhavi

This 18-year-old used her charm and innocence to win half the male
population of 'Roadies'. She is mentally sharp and physically strong,
and the best performer among the girls. Her only weakness being
command over English language.

Sonel

Mystery surrounds this girl from Delhi. Cold and calculating, she is
one of the most manipulative contestants. Sonel has had the maximum
deciding votes on the show and has shrewdly betrayed Vikrant, Vibhor
and her supposed best friend Prabhjot, without any remorse. It's no
surprise that she's going international…is it?

Vibhor

A random maverick, Vibhor is full of life and spunk. His gift of the
gab is the only thing he has working for him. A total non performer
when it comes to tasks, this ladies' man definitely has lady luck on
his side!


Prabhjot

Powered on women's lib, this girl has convinced herself that she's a
threat to the boys. The only 'Roadie' to stand up to Ashu, Prabhjot
has proved herself fearless. She has made Shambhavi and Anmol sleep
on the floor, not let them use the bathroom and is the only girl who
can give Shambhavi a run for her money in tasks!