Every generation has that one TV show everyone remembers. The auditions, the shouting matches, the unforgettable one-liners and the dream of getting selected. For millions of youngsters, it became more than just a reality show… it was a cultural moment that changed Indian television forever.
Behind that massive success was someone who never even finished college. Long before becoming a familiar face on TV, he was working quietly behind the scenes, building ideas that would eventually redefine youth entertainment in India.
Yes, we’re talking about Rajiv Lakshman, one half of the famous twin duo Rajiv and Raghu. While many remember the brothers as the tough judges of MTV Roadies, Rajiv actually began his journey as an associate producer before becoming
one of the creators and faces of the show.
But his story started much earlier.
In a LinkedIn post shared last year, Rajiv revealed that he dropped out of college in 1995 before landing an internship at TV18 in Delhi. Determined to prove himself, he threw himself into work. Recalling that phase, he wrote, “In 1995 I dropped out of college (yes, that happened) and began working as an intern at TV18 in Delhi. I had failed at education and was NOT going to fail at life. So, I hustled.”
That internship opened another big door. Rajiv was later moved to MTV, where he was asked to help create content that spoke directly to young Indians. One of his earliest projects was MTV-u, a campus-based show that also helped launch television host Cyrus Broacha.
His biggest breakthrough, however, was still around the corner.
Together with his brother Raghu, Rajiv completely reimagined MTV Roadies. What had originally been planned as a feel-good travel reality show soon turned into a high-energy competition packed with tough tasks, heated confrontations and memorable auditions. The format struck a chord with young viewers and went on to become one of India’s biggest reality shows.
The brothers didn’t stop there. They also played a key role in creating Splitsvilla, another youth reality franchise that continues to enjoy a loyal fan base.
Looking back at those years, Rajiv wrote on LinkedIn, “Roadies and Splitsvilla, where I helped MTV find a fresh voice for a new generation. These shows became game-changers, and for the first time, I felt like I’d found my home in reality TV.”
Despite the success, Rajiv decided to move on. He has said that he left Roadies “at the peak of success.” Rajiv and Raghu exited the show after Season 11, ending an era that had defined reality television for over a decade.
So, what’s he up to now?
These days, Rajiv has shifted his focus from television to entrepreneurship. He is the founder of BARD, a Mumbai-based content and branded entertainment studio that develops content IPs for D2C founders and brands.
His LinkedIn profile sums up his current work in a single line: “20 years building IPs people actually care about. Now helping brands & founders do the same.”
