Key Highlights
- New format: Roadies REBIRTH will have two gangs led by six Gang Leaders, with three OGs facing three NewGs.
- OGs: Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia and Prince Narula.
- NewGs: Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.
- Host returns: Rannvijay Singha is back as host after leaving the show before its 19th season in 2022.
- Premiere: The 21st season starts on October 16 on JioHotstar and MTV.
Roadies is changing its game. In Roadies REBIRTH, the show's 21st season, two gangs will be led by six Gang Leaders, with three OGs taking on three NewGs.
Host Rannvijay Singha said in a statement: "That's the attitude we need, because this time the fight is going to be tough. You all know that this time on Roadies REBIRTH, there are two gangs but six people running the game. Three OGs will face three NewGs and this is a dynamic we've never seen before on Roadies. The real journey is about to begin, and I can't wait to see what they bring to the Roadies journey."
The Two Teams
| OGs | NewGs |
|---|---|
| Nikhil Chinapa | Abhishek Malhan |
| Neha Dhupia | Bani J |
| Prince Narula | Baseer Ali |
Gym Sessions and a Push-Up Fail
In a recent Instagram post, Rannvijay gave fans a peek at how the leaders are preparing. On a video call, he catches the OGs, Neha, Nikhil and Prince, working out at the gym.
On the NewG side, Bani and Baseer take on a push-up challenge, and Abhishek joins in, only for the fitness face-off to end in a hilarious fail.
Why It Matters: Rannvijay Comes Home
The biggest story of this season may be the host himself. Rannvijay won the very first season of Roadies, which premiered on August 15, 2003. He later became the face of the show as host and mentor for nearly two decades, before leaving ahead of the 19th season in 2022. Sonu Sood took over as host at the time, and the gang leader concept was briefly dropped.
His return, together with the show's phoenix logo and the name "REBIRTH", signals a deliberate attempt to reconnect the franchise with its roots.
OGs and NewGs: A Roadies Journey for Some, a Full Circle for Others
The "OG" label reflects deep Roadies history. Prince Narula won Roadies X2 in 2015, the season in which the gang leader format was first introduced.
Some NewGs also have Roadies roots. Baseer Ali finished as runner-up in Roadies Rising in 2017, before going on to win Splitsvilla 10. He has now moved from contestant to gang leader.
For Abhishek Malhan, popularly known as "Fukra Insaan", the journey is more ironic. He recently told IANS that during the days of Raghu and Rajiv's auditions, he had decided he would "do anything in life but never Roadies." Today, he is a gang leader. "See, that's how life goes, and a circle completes," he said.
A Notable Absence
The new lineup also marks a change from last season. MTV Roadies XX: Double Cross was won by Kushal Tanwar, aka Gullu, from Elvish Yadav's gang, while Hartaaj Singh Gill from Prince Narula's gang was first runner-up. Elvish Yadav, whose gang won last season, is not among the six leaders this time.
What to Expect
The OGs bring years of Roadies experience and confidence, while the NewGs bring fresh energy and unpredictability. The makers promise drama, alliances, rivalries and sudden power shifts across the season.
The Bottom Line
With its original champion back as host and a never-before-seen six-leader format, Roadies REBIRTH is betting on a mix of nostalgia and novelty. The battle between experience and energy begins on October 16 on JioHotstar and MTV.
With inputs from IANS.