MTV Roadies X4 winner Balraj Singh on Roadies, drugs and reality shows

I’ve been living in Jalandhar for a few years and working as a fitness trainer. I belong to a very small town of Khadoor Sahib in Punjab. My father is a government employee and, like most young people in Punjab, I used to sleep and hide at home most of the day till my father told me that his wealth was not for me. Initially, I was furious. How could my own father tell me to go out and earn? Then I realised that it was worth it. I did my MBA though my interest was in fitness and I pursued that in Jalandhar.

How did Roadies happen?

Roadies was not the ultimate goal for me. I have not even watched all of its seasons nor was I a great fan of the show. Failure in Roadies audition was not an end of life for me. Since I was fit and into body building, I aspired to be famous and enter modelling. Roadies seemed to be a good platform. For those who get rejected at Roadies audition, my advice is not to lose heart for there are better things to achieve in life.

How does it feel to be the first turbaned Sikh to win the show?

I have proved what a Sikh can do. A Sikh is more than the subject of stupid, meaningless jokes that people share and laugh out. We are made fun of too easily but action is the best way to reply.

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In the show, you were seen questioning the criteria of the judgement. You clearly refused to ‘please’ one of the gang leaders Prince to stay in the show and said that you will ‘perform’ not ‘please’. You even questioned Rannvijay by asking him to raise standards of the show. How real is this reality show?

I completely stand by what I did. I exited and then re-entered as wild card entry on the basis of my performance. I went on Roadies to do tasks and show my calibre, not to be a sycophant of any gang leader. Rannvijay or Prince might be celebrities now but they became so after winning Roadies. They were common chaps like me and lakhs of the youths who come for auditions. So, there was no question of ‘pleasing’ Prince to be in the show. I refused to do that and I am proud of it. As for reality bit, it is real. Yes, gang leaders develop bonds with contestants, and it does influence some decisions. Still, it is your performance that takes you till the end. It is not decided on how close you are to Rannvijay, Karan, Neha Dhupia or Prince. Having a gang leader’s support does not mean you will win the show.

A Roadies winner is considered the ultimate youth icon. What would you say to the youth of Punjab?

My message, especially to those into drug addiction, is to believe in yourself and that you are and can be a winner. For this, one needs the support of the system, parents and teachers and the promotion of sports. If you are taking the help of drugs to handle adversity of life, you are the biggest loser of all.