Key Highlights:

• Nostalgia for the original show: Nikhil Chinapa, returning as a gang leader on "MTV Roadies" Season 21, said he misses the "OG version" and calls it a "whole different era."
• Full-circle journey: Chinapa said he's experienced the show from nearly every angle — selecting contestants, judging them, and eventually becoming a Gang Leader and winner.
• What makes Roadies unique: He said the show's power lies in giving ordinary people, not celebrities, a shot at becoming household names.
• Six gang leaders this season: The lineup includes Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula, Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.
• Chinapa's broader legacy: He is widely credited with popularising EDM in India and has been associated with MTV since the late 1990s.

Mumbai: Television host Nikhil Chinapa, who is returning as a gang leader on the 21st season of "MTV Roadies," says he misses the "OG version" of the reality show, calling it a "whole different era" and recalling the fun and unpredictability of its early seasons.

Nikhil told IANS: "It feels surreal to be coming back as a gang leader and I'm very excited for this journey. I do miss the OG version of Roadies, it was so much fun! It was a whole different era."

He added that the game challenges you in many different ways. "And this show is very different from other reality shows."

A 22-Year Journey: The Story Of MTV Roadies

When Nikhil talks about the "OG version" of Roadies, he's referring to a show with a genuinely different origin story. "MTV Roadies" premiered on August 15, 2003, created by Nikhil J. Alva of Miditech Studios, adapted from the American series "Road Rules." Alva originally conceived it as a feel-good format meant to unite Indian youth through social work and acts of kindness as contestants travelled across the country. After its first two seasons, MTV took over production in-house, bringing in Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman, under whom the show shifted from its wholesome roots to the intense, confrontational format that made it a cultural phenomenon and eventually one of India's longest-running reality shows, now in its 21st season, spanning over two decades.

"Coming Back Feels Like Coming Home"

Talking about returning as a gang leader, Nikhil said: "Coming back to MTV Roadies feels a bit like coming home. I've experienced the show from almost every angle. I've been involved in selecting contestants, judging them, and eventually becoming a Gang Leader and a winner."

What he always loved about the show is that the contestants aren't celebrities. "Anyone, from anywhere, can show up, audition and earn their place. And sometimes, an ordinary person walks into that audition room and walks out of that season a household name. That's the transformative power of the show," he said.

Nikhil said: "To be part of that journey with my friend Rannvijay and my fellow OG gang leaders, and to experience it with a whole new generation of Roadies, is something I'm genuinely excited about."

Six Gang Leaders For Season 21

This season, the show gets six Gang Leaders, including Nikhil, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula v/s Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.

About Nikhil Chinapa

Nikhil is often credited with popularizing EDM among the youth in India. He has been associated with MTV India since the late 1990s and has appeared in multiple television shows, including Roadies and Splitsvilla.

He has been instrumental in popularizing DJing as a profession and leading the music scene at the Sunburn Festival in its early years.

Key Highlights:

• Nostalgia for the original show: Nikhil Chinapa, returning as a gang leader on "MTV Roadies" Season 21, said he misses the "OG version" and calls it a "whole different era."
• Full-circle journey: Chinapa said he's experienced the show from nearly every angle — selecting contestants, judging them, and eventually becoming a Gang Leader and winner.
• What makes Roadies unique: He said the show's power lies in giving ordinary people, not celebrities, a shot at becoming household names.
• Six gang leaders this season: The lineup includes Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula, Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.
• Chinapa's broader legacy: He is widely credited with popularising EDM in India and has been associated with MTV since the late 1990s.

Mumbai: Television host Nikhil Chinapa, who is returning as a gang leader on the 21st season of "MTV Roadies," says he misses the "OG version" of the reality show, calling it a "whole different era" and recalling the fun and unpredictability of its early seasons.

Nikhil told IANS: "It feels surreal to be coming back as a gang leader and I'm very excited for this journey. I do miss the OG version of Roadies, it was so much fun! It was a whole different era."

He added that the game challenges you in many different ways. "And this show is very different from other reality shows."

A 22-Year Journey: The Story Of MTV Roadies

When Nikhil talks about the "OG version" of Roadies, he's referring to a show with a genuinely different origin story. "MTV Roadies" premiered on August 15, 2003, created by Nikhil J. Alva of Miditech Studios, adapted from the American series "Road Rules." Alva originally conceived it as a feel-good format meant to unite Indian youth through social work and acts of kindness as contestants travelled across the country. After its first two seasons, MTV took over production in-house, bringing in Raghu Ram and Rajiv Lakshman, under whom the show shifted from its wholesome roots to the intense, confrontational format that made it a cultural phenomenon and eventually one of India's longest-running reality shows, now in its 21st season, spanning over two decades.

"Coming Back Feels Like Coming Home"

Talking about returning as a gang leader, Nikhil said: "Coming back to MTV Roadies feels a bit like coming home. I've experienced the show from almost every angle. I've been involved in selecting contestants, judging them, and eventually becoming a Gang Leader and a winner."

What he always loved about the show is that the contestants aren't celebrities. "Anyone, from anywhere, can show up, audition and earn their place. And sometimes, an ordinary person walks into that audition room and walks out of that season a household name. That's the transformative power of the show," he said.

Nikhil said: "To be part of that journey with my friend Rannvijay and my fellow OG gang leaders, and to experience it with a whole new generation of Roadies, is something I'm genuinely excited about."

Six Gang Leaders For Season 21

This season, the show gets six Gang Leaders, including Nikhil, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula v/s Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.

About Nikhil Chinapa

Nikhil is often credited with popularizing EDM among the youth in India. He has been associated with MTV India since the late 1990s and has appeared in multiple television shows, including Roadies and Splitsvilla.

He has been instrumental in popularizing DJing as a profession and leading the music scene at the Sunburn Festival in its early years.