Six gang leaders confirmed, but not six gangs: Rannvijay hints at a major structural twist in Roadies REBIRTH

New Delhi: MTV Roadies has entered a new chapter with Season 21, titled Roadies REBIRTH. Open auditions for the new season began in the Delhi-NCR region on Saturday, 5 September 2026. Viral videos from the audition venue have now given fans the first clear look at the gang-leader lineup.

For the first time in the show’s history, six gang leaders appear ready to lead the contestants. The panel brings together experienced Roadies veterans and newer faces from the digital and reality-TV space.

The development comes weeks after the makers revealed a Phoenix-themed logo and confirmed that original Roadie Rannvijay Singha would return as the host. The six-leader format, Rannvijay’s comeback and the ongoing auditions have made Roadies REBIRTH one of the most talked-about reality shows of the year.

Six Gang Leaders Take Shape as Delhi Auditions Begin

Videos from the Delhi auditions show Rannvijay Singha introducing the panel. According to multiple reports and viral clips, the six gang leaders are:

Returning faces

• Prince Narula
• Neha Dhupia
• Nikhil Chinapa

New faces

• Abhishek Malhan, popularly known as Fukra Insaan
• Baseer Ali
• VJ Bani

One widely shared video shows Rannvijay announcing Abhishek Malhan’s name. Malhan then enters with the line, “Swagat nahi karoge hamara?” The moment quickly started trending among Roadies fans.

The same footage also shows Baseer Ali and VJ Bani as part of the new panel.

The six-leader format also matches an earlier teaser. The teaser showed three red and three yellow helmets reflected in Rannvijay’s sunglasses. The image had led to strong speculation about the number of gang leaders since late August.

The makers have not yet released an official statement confirming the complete lineup. However, the presence of these six personalities at the live auditions has given fans a clear indication of the panel.

Farhana Bhatt, whose name had appeared in several fan discussions, has also clarified publicly that she will not participate in the season.

The new panel brings together different generations of Roadies personalities. Prince Narula, Neha Dhupia and Nikhil Chinapa have strong connections with the show and extensive experience with its format.

Abhishek Malhan brings a huge digital following and a distinct personality. Baseer Ali previously participated in Roadies and won Splitsvilla before going on to host related content. VJ Bani also brings years of television experience.

The combination of old-school Roadies veterans and newer digital personalities could help the show attract both longtime fans and younger viewers while keeping its competitive spirit alive.

Rannvijay Singha Returns to the Hot Seat

Rannvijay Singha’s return remains one of the biggest highlights of the new season.

He won the first-ever season of Roadies in 2003. He later hosted several seasons and worked as a mentor and gang leader. He remained one of the most recognisable faces of the franchise until he left the show before Season 19.

Long-time viewers noticed his absence, and his return now feels like a homecoming for the franchise.

When the makers announced the new season, Rannvijay said that Roadies means much more to him than just a television show. He also said that the courage, hunger and dreams of every Roadie still affect him.

He described Roadies REBIRTH as a season about pushing limits, fighting harder and refusing to give up. He also said that the show has changed over the years but that this new chapter brings back its raw spirit in a new way.

Rannvijay added that he was excited to see a new generation test themselves and find out who could make their mark while dealing with the twists and turns of the journey. He ended his message by inviting contestants to meet him at the auditions.

His presence at the Delhi auditions also confirms that he has joined the show from the casting stage itself.

The Phoenix Rises: What “Rebirth” Means for the Franchise

The season’s title and Phoenix-themed logo point towards a major renewal for the franchise.

Roadies has changed its format several times since it began in 2003. The show introduced the gang-leader format, took contestants on international journeys and experimented with different themes, including Double Cross. It has also tried solo and buddy formats over the years.

Roadies REBIRTH appears ready to take another major step by increasing the number of gang leaders and bringing established personalities together with newer faces.

The previous season, Roadies XX: Double Cross, ended with Kushal Tanwar, popularly known as Gullu, winning the title from Elvish Yadav’s gang. Hartaaj Singh Gill from Prince Narula’s gang finished as the runner-up.

The new season starts with a clean slate and a larger leadership panel. This could lead to more complicated alliances, rivalries and voting strategies once the main journey begins.

Auditions Underway: Venue, Process and Next Cities

The Delhi auditions are taking place on 5 September 2026 at JBM Global School, Expressway, A-11, Sector 132, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304.

The official posts had made pre-registration mandatory this year. They also asked applicants to use the link in the bio of the MTV Roadies Instagram account to get their Auditions Pass.

The makers have planned more auditions in Chandigarh, Kolkata and Pune later in September. They are expected to announce the exact dates and venues for these cities through the official channels in the coming days.

The Roadies audition process usually includes several stages. These can include an initial screening, group interactions or physical tasks and personal interviews. The judges use these rounds to assess a contestant’s attitude, confidence, resilience and screen presence.

Contestants also need to show the qualities that Roadies has traditionally looked for. They should have physical strength, mental sharpness and the ability to perform under pressure. A strong personality, personal story or attitude can also help a contestant stand out.

Where and When to Watch Roadies REBIRTH

Roadies REBIRTH will air on MTV India and stream on JioHotstar. The show will continue the dual-platform model that recent seasons have followed.

Previous seasons generally aired on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7 pm on MTV. Episodes also became available on JioHotstar, with subscribers sometimes getting early access.

The makers have not announced the official premiere date yet.

The production team will first complete auditions across the four cities. Based on the timelines of previous seasons, the show could premiere in late 2026 or early 2027.

Viewers should follow the official MTV Roadies and MTV India social media accounts for the first official promo, premiere date, schedule and episode updates.

What Aspiring Contestants Need to Know

People planning to attend the remaining auditions should keep a few things in mind:

• Follow the official Instagram accounts of MTV Roadies and MTV India regularly for updates about venues and timings.
• Complete the required pre-registration and Auditions Pass process.
• Prepare for long hours, physical activities and intense interactions.
• Carry valid identification and prepare to talk about personal motivation and life experiences.

The show continues to search for contestants who can handle physical challenges as well as the mental pressure that comes with vote-outs, alliances and public attention.

Looking Ahead

Roadies REBIRTH comes at a time when the franchise wants to celebrate its history while also expanding its format.

Rannvijay Singha’s return gives the show a familiar face and connects the new season with its past. The six-gang-leader format, if the makers officially confirm the viral footage, would represent a major change for the show.

The inclusion of digital-first personalities alongside experienced Roadies faces also suggests that the makers want to connect with both longtime viewers and a younger audience.

For now, the focus remains on the auditions. Delhi has already given fans the first major reveal of the season. The remaining audition cities will help the makers select the contestants who will eventually face the six gang leaders during the Roadies journey.

The show still has all the elements that fans expect from Roadies: high-pressure tasks, strategic gameplay, personal clashes and the constant challenge of proving oneself.

However, the scale of the leadership panel has changed, and the makers have openly promised a rebirth for the franchise.

Fans will find out whether this new approach creates one of the most memorable seasons in Roadies history once the actual journey begins and the cameras start rolling.

For now, the message from the makers remains clear: the fire is back, the leaders are ready and a new generation of Roadies is being selected right now.