Mr Forthright

Hes known as the Big Bad Judge on MTV Roadies. He has a reputation for calling a spade a spade and he definitely doesnt suffer fools gladly.

Slated to be a hard taskmaster on yet another show,Raghu Ram explains that it comes naturally to him

Hes known as the Big Bad Judge on MTV Roadies. He has a reputation for calling a spade a spade and he definitely doesnt suffer fools gladly. But,Raghu Ram likes to point out,this is not a manner he affects for high TRPshe is what he is on TV. I dont put on an act. Im not on TV because I like to screamI scream in real life too, he says.

Ram is currently on a hiatus from Roadies,the show which shot him to instant fame. Its being ably handled by his twinsome say his doppelgangerRajeev,while Ram himself has begun work on a new show called Sitaron Ko Choona Hai. But he insists that he doesnt like talent hunts. I believe theyre all eyewash, he says,They dont have any authority on judging talent. The voting ultimately lies in the hands of the viewers who end up voting on the basis of region or language.

Ram insists that the new show is not a talent hunt. There are 12 young and talented singers,wholl be groomed in a music academy,of which Im the head. The faculty includes Neha Bhasin of girl band Viva fame and singer Prashant Samadhar,wholl be the voice coach.

We wont just train them to sing well. This is going to be an all-round grooming which will include sessions with a choreographer,stylist and personal grooming instructor, says Ram. We dont have a system where the audience will vote the students out of the academy. If youre not doing well,youll simply be asked to leave by us. Ram,as head of the academy,will once again play the role of a strict disciplinarian,with the power to punish or reward. Ill be the dispassionate observer, he says,I wont be directly involved with the students unlike the faculty,so I can make balanced judgments.

Despite his reputation of being a tough guy and having an acerbic tongue,Ram has a massive fan following,especially among girlssome of whom auditioned for Roadies simply to meet him. Ram admits that he is quite flummoxed by this reaction. I feel like Im so removed from this world, he says,Im still not quite used to how people react to me. I hate to admit this,but there are cities where I actually roam about wearing a mask.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Mumbai
talk

Mr Forthright

Hes known as the Big Bad Judge on MTV Roadies. He has a reputation for calling a spade a spade and he definitely doesnt suffer fools gladly.

Hes known as the Big Bad Judge on MTV Roadies. He has a reputation for calling a spade a spade and he definitely doesnt suffer fools gladly.