You have seen him intimidating wannabe Roadies during auditions. Raghu Ram screams, swears and sometimes even hauls them out. But what is he like in person? Well, for starters, he writes, sings and has recently finished penning a novel
We catch up with Raghu Ram at a coffee shop. He tells us he is leaving for a short vacation to Jaipur with his wife. “I am a shy guy in real life,” he says, which takes us by surprise, because we last remember him looking daggers at aspirants for the show, MTV Roadies.
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The host has just finished writing the book, Raghu Rearview — My Roadies Journey. “I read a lot, I am obsessed with books, and that is what inspired me to write. I love reading biographies and autobiographies. In fact, at MTV, whenever I had an argument with my boss, I’d tell him that that he will not come across very well in my book,” he says. In the book, Raghu admits to being bullied when he was a child. The straightforward tone of the book is quite refreshing. “The book is part-memoir, part-diary, part-autobiography,” he says.
He adds that he was approached to write a self-help book but that is not what interested him. “Over these 10 years, so much has been written about me. I have been called the rudest guy on Indian television, some said I am “against Indian culture”, a pretentious as****e. This is my side of the story. I believe I have been judged unfairly by a lot of people. Many viewers get where I am coming from without even knowing me. I have given enough interviews and it’s always about being rude. I don’t think I am rude,” he elaborates.
Raghu says he does not plan to change opinions with this book. “If somebody can read the parts of my book and take strength from it, that’s great. Beyond a point, I got frustrated. I work hard and I don’t want to be known as the bald guy who abuses. There’s more to me,” he adds.
To illustrate this, he tells us he pens lyrics, loves to sing and travel. “I have sung two popular songs, have written two songs and now penned a book,” he says.
These days, Raghu is also busy with politics. He finishes his cup of coffee, promptly calls for another one and excitedly tells us about his ambitions. “I was recently campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In addition to that, I play a sardar in a recently-released Punjabi film. I have also shot for a Bollywood film, and I hope to soon sing for one, too. I am in talks with Canadian composer IshQ Bector about it.”
The anchor admits that he wants to spend more time with his wife, too. “My wife is so pissed with me — I have been travelling a bit much. That explains this vacation I am taking with her. I will be travelling for the next month, too, and then she will be off for something. It is an ongoing challenge, spending time together, but this year I want to prioritise her,” he smiles.
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