Roadies in Darjeeling? Well, that spelt awesomeness on so many levels. So when an invite popped up in our inbox to witness the flag-off of the new Roadies journey — RoadiesX4 — from Darjeeling, there was no chance we weren’t going for this one. So on a cold February morning, we found ourselves in Darjeeling, looking forward to meeting gang leaders Rannvijay Singh Singha, Karan Kundra and Neha Dhupia, all set to make her debut on the MTV reality show (Saturday, 7pm). What got us even more excited? The prospect of getting to watch the taping of an episode as a ‘task’ played out by the Teesta. But bad weather and some technical glitches cancelled the shoot and we had to console ourselves with chatting with the gang leaders (Rannvijay told us that wrestler Sushil Kumar’s Olympic schedule had prompted him to opt out as the fourth gang leader, with Roadies and Bigg Boss winner Prince Narula taking his place). So what else did we do in Darjeeling? Dropped in at Glenary’s, Keventers and Joey’s Pub and tucked into some yummy momos at Mall Road, before heading back to Calcutta. But not before we got some fun titbits about the new season — currently being shot in Bhutan — from the gang leaders.
Rannvijay Singh Singha,
the big daddy
Some place we have always read about in books. It has got its own character. We have shot in Kurseong and Kalimpong before.... We had momos. I went to Mall Road. I want to sit in a toy train with a cup of coffee in my hand and I also want to visit Glenary’s and Keventers.
Do contestants still come to Roadies with the same passion that you had once participated with?
It’s not the same! (Pauses) The reason I had come was because I was passionate about it. A lot of kids today come only to become famous. I didn’t come for that. We were there for the fun, the adventure and the tough times. We didn’t know what reality shows were! I wore shorts with basketball vests. Now they come in all cool clothes. Times have changed. When Karan (Kundra) had come last year, he didn’t know what the show was about. I told him chal mazein karenge. We became friends. I wanted to bond with people because I was missing Raghu (Ram) and Rajiv (Lakshman). Prince (Narula) won RoadiesX2. We started Squadrann (a fitness web series). Then he won Spiltsvilla season 8 and Bigg Boss Nau. We all voted for him. For the first time, the fans of Roadies and Spiltsvilla got to support somebody outside. I am very proud of him.
Do you think Prince Narula is a good enough replacement for Sushil Kumar?
It was a very crucial decision. We can’t achieve what Sushil has achieved in life. We can’t win an Olympic medal. Sushil had to go because he has to train for the upcoming Olympics in August. But Prince gives a lot of hope to the gang. He is young and he knows how to play the game.
Calcutta is upset that you bypassed us for the auditions this time...
If somebody doesn’t come for an audition because it is not held in their city, then I believe ki usme woh baat hi nahin hai! (Smiles) The cities where we go to select people are just our audition centres. People can come from anywhere.
Neha Dhupia, the power diva
Bloody cold! We have been going to all nice places here. We went to a tea estate. We have been eating a lot... aloo chaat and momos. People are very nice.
We hear you have found a new trainer in Darjeeling...
(Laughs) His name is Rannvijay Singh Singha! He is fantastic... I was working out with the boys and fell on my back. I got hurt... I think the cold is killing, but the show must go on. The boys are pretty impressed with my strength. When Rann (Rannvijay) trains us, it is not like that I am a girl, so I won’t do push-ups or chin-ups.
Given the big tea drinker you are, how many bags are you taking back home from Darjeeling?
I bought some and have sent it back home with my manager. I don’t drink coffee at all... I go to different parts of the world to pick up the choicest teas. I drink a lot of oolong, black, green and jasmine tea. There’s one tea that I drink that you don’t get here. It’s fresh camomile tea. At night, I drink fresh camomile tea and in the morning, I wake up to black tea because it has caffeine and through the day, I drink green tea. I am a teaholic!
Do you carry your teapot and mug with you?
Yeah, it feels familiar. I feel in our business we travel so much that it really makes a big difference. You can make every hotel room your home. I always carry the book I am reading, my mug, my yoga mat, my computer, my music, my little flip-flops and my pillow.
How much of a challenge is doing something new like Roadies?
It’s hard... I feel very exposed and emotional. But I am adding strength to the show and the glam factor of the show is Prince [Prince Narula, the show’s fourth ‘gang leader’, hears his name and comes to hug Neha]. During my shots, his beauty distracts me and I can’t think beyond him, but my father has told me to stay away from him because he was a big Bigg Boss fan (Prince is fresh off his Bigg Boss 9 win). He has told me that Prince is a nice guy but when it comes to women, he really wants his daughter to stay away (laughs)... I am kidding!
The bonding between the gang leaders is fantastic. These guys are handholding me. We eat together... our rooms are side by side. The moment we get up, we ask each other, ‘Chai piyega?’ It has come to a point when they have also started asking me, ‘Kya kar raha hai?’ I had to remind them that I am, ‘Kya kar rahi hai!’
We have to ask you... how are you looking so hot in this freezing cold?!
It’s cold... so the look is limited. I have done a lot of shopping. Luckily I was in New York, so picking up stuff was easy. We didn’t want to be very high fashion because we had to be involved in tasks. Keeping the weather conditions in mind, I had to be covered yet trendy because the youth follows me. You know my make-up artist (Younten Tsomo) does my make-up when I sleep. Once I read in an interview of Julia Roberts that make-up should be the most relaxing thing. I genuinely go off to sleep while applying make-up! I get up feeling fresh.
Karan Kundra,
the style bhai
Who wants to go back, ya? The mountains and the tea gardens are soooo beautiful.
In one of the promos, we saw you throwing coffee on a candidate’s face. Why?!
I do Roadies only for myself because it makes me happy. This time, the game is different with new twists. It’s cold (in Darjeeling), so injuries are more. I threw coffee on his face because he misbehaved with a girl in our crew. She was handling a crowd of 12,000 people and the guy placed a toy gun on her ear. Imagine what must have gone through her mind in those four seconds. Yeh baat mujhe khatakti hai kyunki mere ghar mein teen behnein hain. I have seen what my sisters went through jab unke saath eve-teasing hoti thi. Bengal mein aurat ka zyada izzat hai Punjab side se. I want to set an example for the people who will watch the show in 55 countries. Paisa main kamaa leta hoon daily shows karke. Yeh sab kar leta hoon main insane hone se bachne ke liye!
We love your style experiments, especially these blonde streaks in your hair...
My girlfriend Anusha (Dandekar) is my style guide. I can carry off a lot of clothes very easily. I love wearing big shoes, joggers, long T-shirts and long jackets.
You must have missed Anusha on Valentine’s Day since you were busy shooting...
Trust me, it’s hell without her. I never thought that Anusha and I would become something like this. I was focusing on my work and didn’t want a relationship. I was sure kuch nahin hone wala hai magar bolte bolte ho gaya! We are different. I can’t talk without using cuss words and she is so sophisticated. It’s destiny. Right now, I want to go pick her up, put her on my bike and take her away.
Calcutta girl Bidisha Kohli styles Rannvijay & Karan
On Rannvijay Singh Singha
His look is rugged. As usual, he will be seen in a lot of Air Jordan shoes, which he loves. He will sport leather jackets in dark colours and long overcoats in grey and black. It’s a very London street kind of look. He has done a lot of layering. Youngsters can easily copy his style... very relatable and affordable.
On Karan Kundra
His look is very punk rock. I have braided his hair. It’s looking great on him. He sports hip hop jackets, track pants, long tees and bomber jackets. He can carry off anything! Even if I give him a woman’s sunglasses, he sports them with full swag. He will also be seen in slim suits and bow ties.
