MTV Roadies has officially returned with its twenty first season, titled Roadies Rebirth. Premiering on 16 October 2026, this season introduces a high stakes confrontation between veteran leaders and fresh faces. The show has moved away from the traditional individual gang format to a collective team battle: OGs versus NewGs. With Rannvijay Singha returning to host, the tension in the audition room has reached an all time high.
Fans are already buzzing about the first batch of participants who survived the grueling Delhi, Kolkata, and Pune auditions. Below is the most current and updated roster of who is in, who is out, and who caused a bidding war among the mentors.
The New Era: Roadies Rebirth Format Explained
Season 21 introduces a fundamental shift in how the game is played. Instead of six independent gangs, the six leaders are divided into two massive camps. The OGs (Original Gangsters) represent the legacy of Roadies, while the NewGs represent the new age of digital influence and modern grit.
Each camp starts with a virtual budget of 1,00,000 Roadiums. This currency is used to bid on contestants during the auditions. If multiple leaders want the same participant, the price goes up. This economic layer adds a strategic depth never seen before in the franchise history.
Roadies Rebirth Selected Contestants List
The following candidates have successfully cleared the personal interview rounds and joined the journey as of the latest episodes.
| Contestant Name | Hometown |
|---|---|
| Karishma Talwar | Dehradun |
| Preet | Gurgaon |
| Sneha | Kolkata |
| Shine | Shimla |
| TBA | TBA |
Deep Dive: Episode 1 Selection Highlights
The premiere on 16 October 2026 set a high bar for talent. The standout moment was undoubtedly the return of Karishma Talwar. A former Splitsvilla 8 contestant, Karishma faced a massive bidding war. The NewGs were desperate to land her, but the OGs played their tactical masterstroke: the Snatch Button. By hitting the alarm and spending 22,000 Roadiums, the OGs forcibly took her into their camp.
Preet from Gurgaon also made waves by earning interest from all six gang leaders. While Prince Narula and Neha Dhupia both fought for his mentorship, Nikhil Chinapa acted as the tie breaker, ultimately placing Preet under Prince Narula wing.
Sneha from Kolkata and Shine from Shimla rounded out the successful candidates. Sneha joined Neha Dhupia after a unanimous six buzzer response, while Shine was secured by Prince Narula using a Mohar (special power) after the NewGs decided to pass on him.
The Rejection Pile: Who Failed to Make the Cut?
Not everyone who walked into the audition room walked out with a Roadies jersey. The standards for Season 21 are exceptionally high, focusing on authenticity and positive influence.
- Hrietik Walia (Delhi): Despite his confidence, Hrietik was heavily criticized by all six gang leaders and Rannvijay Singha. The judges felt his application form was filled with contradictory statements that did not reflect his real personality.
- Allen Choudhary: Allen faced rejection due to his social media presence. The mentors felt his online content promoted a negative influence that did not align with the Roadies brand values.
Both aspirants were asked to leave the room immediately after their interviews, proving that even a strong physical presence cannot save a weak personality.
Roadiums and the Snatch Button: New Game Mechanics
Understanding the currency is vital for following the contestant list. The 1,00,000 Roadium budget is a shared resource between three leaders in a camp.
- The Buzzer: Used to indicate interest in a contestant.
- The Mohar: A special power used to claim a contestant when others are hesitant or to show extreme preference.
- The Snatch Button: This is the most aggressive tool in the game. It allows one team to steal a contestant during a bidding war, even if the contestant might have preferred the other side.
Also Read : Namita Krishnamurthy: The Full Biography of the IIT-Grad Star
Gang Leader Lineup: OGs vs NewGs
The divide between the mentors has created a visible rift in the studio.
Team OGs:
- Prince Narula: The King of Roadies winners.
- Neha Dhupia: The veteran strategist.
- Nikhil Chinapa: The technical mastermind.
Team NewGs:
- Abhishek Malhan (Fukra Insaan): The digital powerhouse making his debut.
- Bani J: The fitness icon and former finalist.
- Baseer Ali: The former winner returning as a mentor.
Abhishek Malhan has already faced friction from VJ Bani, who openly stated she finds it hard to trust him. This internal friction within the NewG camp might be the reason why they failed to secure any contestants in the opening episode.
As the journey moves toward the Pune and Chandigarh audition legs, expect the NewG team to play more aggressively with their Roadium budget to balance the scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.When did Roadies Rebirth premiere?
The show premiered on Friday, 16 October 2026 at 7 PM on MTV India.
Q.Is Abhishek Malhan a contestant?
No, Abhishek Malhan is a Gang Leader for the NewGs team in Season 21.
Q.Where can I watch the full episodes?
You can stream Roadies Rebirth on JioHotstar and Netflix. New episodes air every Friday and Saturday.
