I was giving a talk on creativity in a college festival a few days ago, and, of course, all the questions that were asked were not about creativity, but about the Roadies: Hell Down Under auditions! From whatever I’ve heard, people have liked watching the Ahmedabad auditions. They’ve especially picked up on a few characters, like the hysterically funny Devarshi. Like I said, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard! The thing is, he’s not trying to be funny. He’s just being himself. And that was even more interesting than most people when they try to crack jokes!

“Why was Devarshi selected as a Roadie?” one student asked. He didn’t think Devarshi fit the image of a roadie. Well, I understand that the word “Roadie” has come to mean something to the people who love the show, but when I am auditioning, I’m not necessarily only looking for people who fit that bill. I’m looking for a mix of different kinds of interesting personalities, who will make for an even more interesting group dynamic. And say what you may, you have to admit that Devarshi was great fun to watch! The other person people have taken a keen interest in is Rajiv, my twin brother.

People don’t know much about me. They know even less about Rajiv. I’d like to keep it that way for now. I will give the dope on him in this column towards the end of the audition episodes.

This week, the auditions happen in Calcutta. Actually, Calcutta was the place where we kicked off the auditions from… the first audition city. Something quite bizarre happened there. Before leaving for the auditions, I had told MTV that there would be a security problem this time, and suggested an online process instead. But then we collectively decided to go ahead with the traditional route, with beefed up security. We knew that the Roadies craze had grown alarmingly. But none of us really imagined that it had reached such hysterical proportions!

When I was reaching the venue, my car got mobbed even before I could reach the gate! They shook the huge SUV, and started banging on the windows till they broke! I didn’t want the car to become my coffin, so I stepped out. Mistake! I thought I’d be ripped to shreds by the crowd. Fortunately, about six security guards reached me and pulled me out.

After that, the crowd went berserk! Chaos and pandemonium reigned and the gates were broken. It took a long time to bring the crowd back under control, but finally people calmed down and the auditions got under way.

From that time on, I was not allowed by my crew to be seen entering or leaving the venue. In every city after that, I was smuggled in lying down on the floor of the car through the back-entrance, and smuggled out the same way. I am not a celebrity. Neither am I interested in being one. But Calcutta, after so many years of auditioning there, made me feel like one. And it wasn’t all that pleasant…

Coming to the people I met at the auditions, there were quite a few surprises. People came in hordes from not only Calcutta, but from all over the east, making for a very varied bunch compared to previous years. There are a few people to watch out for…

The first is Poulomi, who looks like a rainbow puked on her! She brought a flash of colour into our lives at the auditions. A little too much, if you ask me! If you liked Devarshi, you’ll love her.

Then there is Kiri Timung, a guy who had auditioned in all five cities last year, and never even reached the personal interview! He did make it to the interview this time, and made for an interesting interaction. I think regular followers of the show will recognise him.

And then there was this guy, Tushar, who claimed to have quit his job in the USA to come and stand in line for the auditions! He’s the guy you saw crying in the promo at the end of last week’s episode.

Why do fully grown up, tough guys cry in the auditions? Why are Rajiv and I being portrayed as sharks and crocodiles in all the hoardings? What is it about me and my brother that people actually find scary? These are questions even I’m struggling with currently. Hopefully, I’ll find the answers soon. But till then, I hope you have as much fun watching the Calcutta audition episode this evening as we had making it…

Watch Raghu and Rajiv bajao the hopefuls of Calcutta this Saturday, 7pm only on MTV