Raghu Ram opens up about quitting 'Roadies'; says "There was pressure to scream at people"

Raghu Ram gained immense popularity through his iconic presence on the reality show Roadies. The show became so closely associated with him that aspiring participants would often come specifically to meet him and secure a spot on the show. However, after dedicating 11 years to the series, Raghu decided to part ways in 2014. Since then, he has moved on to explore new opportunities and has never looked back at his Roadies journey.
In a recent interview on Untriggered, Raghu Ram opened up about his decision to step away from Roadies. He explained that his outbursts and intense reactions on the show stemmed from his genuine thoughts and emotions. Raghu further shared that his honesty resonated with the show's format, making those moments impactful and authentic. However, this approach ultimately contributed to his choice to move on.
During the conversation, Raghu elaborated on why he decided to leave Roadies. He revealed that there was significant interference and pressure to constantly "scream at people" to keep the show engaging. While such behavior was expected to boost the show's popularity, Raghu felt that continuing down that path came at the risk of losing his own authenticity.
He said, "As you grow bigger, you feel the pressure to cater. I felt it, that’s why I left Roadies. Rajiv and I walked off because there was too much interference. We were told to scream at people. It’s either that, or you have to dance to their tune. It’s a good problem because you are a success, but now you are no longer you. You belong to them."
In a previous interview with India Today, Raghu Ram discussed how his time on Roadies impacted his personal life, particularly his marriage to his first wife, Sugandha Garg. He revealed that the overwhelming craze and demands of the show took a toll on his relationship. The challenges and strain caused by his commitment to Roadies eventually led to their marriage suffering, and they ultimately decided to part ways.
He stated, "Personally, my life was going through a lot of upheaval because of Roadies and because of the surrounding craze. My marriage was suffering. Ultimately, I got divorced."
Raghu further shared in the interview that his mental and physical health significantly deteriorated during his time on Roadies, prompting him to step away from the show. He expressed contentment with his decision, stating that he has no regrets about leaving. Reflecting on his brief return alongside his twin brother, Rajeev, who also served as a judge on the show, Raghu added, "No, not going to happen. We were asked, but no, I don’t want to. I haven’t seen Roadies ever since I left. It is not ‘that’ Roadies now. It is a completely different show with the name Roadies on it. The format can be compared more to the voice than to the previous Roadies. When Rajiv and I walked away that day, that show was over. That particular format was over."
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