MUMBAI: Is it that the Indian audience is finally ready to embrace reality sports!
Few years back, a Zee venture RAAH did not manage to catch audiences' eye, but the viewers have off late started taking interest in the reality shows on the English niche channels. While the mainstream Hindi entertainment channels are still wary of experimenting, the music channels seem to have jumped onto the bandwagon head on. Early this year, MTV launched Fear factor inspired Bum Mein Dum and now it will be launching Roadies.
The biker culture is decidedly a foreign concept, but India has its share of two-wheeler owner clubs too. So while there is the oldies 'Bullet' gang going on a cross-state rides, a new crop of the 'foreign' racers bikers are regular on the night road rage. MTV plans to tap the growing popularity of biking sports, with help from country's leading bike manufactures Hero Honda, with the launch of The MTV and Hero Honda Roadies.
Capsuled in 26 episodes, MTV and Hero Honda Roadies, will show how seven 'Roadies' - four bovs and three girls - react to situations alien to them. After being selected via countrywide auditions, they will journey 40 days, 4,000 kms on four Indian premium sports bikes. Hero Honda's newest launch 'Karizma' is the chosen sports bike to be used. MTV cameras will capture these seven Roadies as they eat, sleep and live life on the roads during their quest to discover the essence of India, says a company release.
Touring through villages, small towns and big cities, essentially travelling from the warm beaches of Chennai to the chilling heights of Chail, this reality adventure show seems like an ideal way of 'Bharat Darshan'. But it is that and much more. With young adventurers from different walks of life, trying to cope up with their lives, alien situations and strangers.
While the televised version will be hitting the small screen in October, the hunt for seven-adrenaline junkies will begin next month. The actual trail meanwhile, will be flagged off on 15 August from Chennai
According to an official release, the participants, besides having a penchant for adventure need to be intelligent and articulate. The jury will look out for distinctive personalities and skills that set them apart. The channel has invited application from contestants above 18 years of age. The contestants will be put through various tests where they will need to use their wit, intelligence, common sense, presence of mind, humor, people skills and their resolve to stay on the course.
LEATHER AND LACE: All ready to burn some serious rubber, MTV India bossman Alex Kuruvilla (second from left) togs up in leather alongside Atul Sobti of Hero Honda and VJ Cyrus Sahukar. VJ Shenaz Treasurywala provides the babe quotient.
Auditions will be conducted in Pune on 8 July, in Bangalore on 12 July, in Chandigarh on 16 July, in Delhi on 19 July and lastly in Mumbai on 26 July. While the 'toughest' ride of their lives will be testing the limits of their endurance, the journey will educate them about the people and the country, help create bonds and teach them tolerance and acceptance. In case any of the contestants develop cold-feet, the option of leaving the journey is open at any point of time.
With the recent National Geographic's Mission Everest getting a rousing response, this Amazing race inspired show sure sounds like a surefire hit, on ground even if not on air.
As for the big reward, well each of the seven 'Roadies' will win a 223cc Hero Honda 'Karizma' and that's besides the opportunity to 'star' in the show.
