Rearview My Roadies Journey by Raghu Ram (Book Review-3.9*/5)!!!

         Roadies is one show in India that people criticize a lot and still wait for its second season. I have found my parents scolding me for watching Roadies because of abuses and fighting but in the end, even they used to sit besides me and watch the auditions where a contestant was fiercely grilled by this bald, energetic, vibrant, abusive, rude and cool man called RAGHU. Everyone wants to know why is he abusive and aggressive. What was he before Roadies? What was he doing in one of the auditions of Indian Idol? What was his childhood with Rajiv, his twin brother, was? Who have been his favorite contestants from Roadies? Why does he prefer to stay bald than go for hair implantation? Why suddenly, in season 6, did he introduce Rajiv? What makes Rannvijay so special to him and Roadies? How did Roadies actually start? What was that political attack on him was? There are many such questions which you had in your minds but now it's time to get the answers to all of them in a book written by RAGHU himself- REARVIEW MY ROADIES JOURNEY. 

 

  SYNOPSIS:-

What is going on in the contestants mind? Does he admire me, respect me and hate me? Fear me? May be all of the above. I don't understand it. I don't understand the Roadies form that has F-k you Raghu, written all over it, I don't understand the poster that was held up this year during the Chandigarh auditions that read, Baap toh baap hota hai. Raghu Rox, I see equal parts respect, equal parts loathing. Equal parts Raghu, equal parts the bully. There is a man tall, bald, muscular, intimidating who manages to induce terror and awe in all those who dare walk into his interrogation room. There was once a boy scrawny, weak, easily intimidated, voice unbroken at fifteen, who was bullied consistently through his childhood. This is the story of how that boy became the man he is today: part-time singer, song-writer and jammer, full-time producer, camera man and editor. Sherlock Holmes and Batman worshipper, staunch atheist with an innate fear of water and heights. This is the autobiography of the rudest man on Indian television. Raghu Ram, the original Roadie, split wide open.

            I have loved reading biographies and autobiographies. But did I ever think that I would get to read Raghu's life in such detailed manner? No. I didn't. Since I met him at Non Fiction Fest and had an amazing 10 minutes car ride with him, all my acquaintances keep asking me about how was his interaction with me. All want to know if he abused me or not. Haha! It was hard telling my friend that it was a Professional meet which was quite decent and straight. Well, that's how interesting his personality is. I loved the way he starts the book with Prologue- by telling his experience at Pune before audition on 31st October, 2012. After reading the whole book, I understood why he chose to start the book something that had to do with the city, Pune. Then he begins right from his and Rajiv's birth and tells how close the brothers were and still are. Later on, he shares how he is emotionally connected with Rannvijay and declares him his brother wholeheartedly. 

            He discusses his school life as well as college's when he was been physically abused and beaten by his seniors. He tells how his self-esteem got down to zero then. But what he learnt from those situations is what his life is all about. The amazing part about the book is when he starts describing his initial hard work and continuous efforts in the world of TV when he began just as a trainee. I loved reading how he was the one who used to do everything. It amused me how he used to stay awake and hungry for 7 days and 7 nights at stretch just to make sure that anything that he touched doesn't look any less than perfect. His growth right from the first season of Roadies till the end is also described wonderfully. I loved the part when he leaves Rohit on his face and frees himself from his clutches. Why he turned atheist and also his fury towards Indian education system is properly explained. His reaction towards the accident of Rannvijay, suicide attempt of Rajiv and then another accident of Rajiv tells how emotional he really is. 

            The moment when he left MTV and felt alone made me cry. Also his pain when he used to realize how the contestants hated him in spite of him being very protective of them was quite sympathizing. He doesn't hide in the book how he got opportunity because of being favorite of boss. He also discusses his differences with his boss, with the channel MTV, few arguments with Rajiv and others openly in the book. He tells how much he loves and likes Ayushmann, Bani, Mohit, Suchit, Rohit Batra and of course, Rannvijay. He also tells how much he hates Ashutosh and Avatar. He tells how it was a prank on the judges of Indian Idol that he did along with a friend of his but all it turned out was into him being over smart in front of the judges for the thing that he himself does. He discusses how he kind of forcibly made Sugandha marry him. Haha! The best part of reading this book has been his initial struggles, his love for Rannvijay and the journey of Roadies 8. After reading this book, you will realize how every season is the last one for him. You never know which is the last season of Roadies on television hence I would insist, watch Roadies XI with all your heart. :-)

               Coming to the drawbacks- I always believed that Producers are those rich guys who have enough money to invest in crores on a movie or a television show. Raghu becomes producer of the show yet he says that he didn't have enough money. Quite confusing! Later on, in the book, he completely stops discussing about Rajiv, which I felt was unfair. When his story started with him, he should have told us about Rajiv's progress simultaneously. He doesn't discuss quite much about his parents too. Also, what we see on television is a tough guy with open mentality and good command of language. In the book, he doesn't discuss much about his working out sessions, how he turned out into someone who had an open-minded attitude and also doesn't tell how even after not completing his college, he speaks wonderfully and is presentable. There's lot of "I" thing in the book but then, that's Raghu Ram and only if you love him or Roadies, go for the book otherwise you will end up hating the man more than before. Haha! Also the cover page isn't impressive. I would give book- 3.9/5. I hope I would be interviewing him very soon and sharing it with all of you here.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!