The Roadies journey is entering a new era with Roadies – REBIRTH, and this time, the iconic adventure reality show is changing the rules. For the first time in the show’s history, six Gang Leaders will compete across two opposing gangs, bringing together some of the most recognisable names from the Roadies universe and a new generation of leaders.
Following the format reveal in Delhi and the high-energy auditions in Chandigarh, the Roadies audition journey reached Kolkata on September 10, 2026, as aspiring contestants stepped forward to prove their grit, determination and ability to survive the toughest challenges.
At the centre of this season’s biggest shake-up is the OGs vs NewGs dynamic. The OG Gang Leaders — Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia and Prince Narula — will face NewG Gang Leaders Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali. With two gangs going head-to-head, experience will collide with fresh ambition in what promises to be one of the most unpredictable Roadies seasons yet.
The new format brings more than just a larger leadership lineup. It introduces new alliances, strategic battles, rivalries and power shifts, while asking a familiar Roadies question in an entirely new way: who has what it takes to survive until the finish line?
Roadies – REBIRTH Brings Six Gang Leaders Into the Battlefield
Roadies has always been about more than physical endurance. The show tests contestants on their mental strength, adaptability, decision-making and ability to navigate an unpredictable game. REBIRTH takes those familiar ingredients and adds a generational clash to the mix.
For the first time, six Gang Leaders will share the battlefield through two gangs. On one side are Roadies veterans Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia and Prince Narula, while the opposing team features Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali.
That division creates an interesting contrast between experience and reinvention. The OGs understand the culture, pressure and psychology of Roadies, while the NewGs bring a different perspective and the hunger to establish themselves on one of India’s most enduring adventure reality franchises.
For the contestants, that could make the journey considerably more difficult. Winning a task may no longer be enough; aspiring Roadies will also have to understand the personalities, strategies and competing priorities of multiple leaders.
Neha Dhupia described the new season as an experience filled with uncertainty, highlighting the introduction of the two-gang format and the prospect of OGs competing against NewGs. Despite her extensive Roadies experience, she suggested that every new season still feels like starting a fresh journey.
Nikhil Chinapa also highlighted the clash of mindsets that the new format could create. Returning to Roadies, he said the combination of different strategies and approaches would make the competition particularly intense.
Prince Narula, meanwhile, brings perhaps one of the most complete Roadies journeys into REBIRTH. Having experienced the franchise as a contestant, winner and Gang Leader, he returns with experience and a clear objective — building his gang and competing for victory.
Kolkata Joins the Roadies Audition Fever
The Roadies excitement took a distinctly Kolkata turn as the audition journey arrived in the city on September 10. Ahead of the auditions, Gang Leader Baseer Ali spent time connecting with the city’s young audience and aspiring contestants.
Baseer visited The Bhawanipur Education Society College, where he interacted with students and got a glimpse of the talent and enthusiasm among Kolkata’s youth. He also met fans at Bikers Cafe before making a special visit to Princep Ghat, adding to the buzz surrounding the auditions.
For Baseer, the Kolkata stop represented more than another audition destination. His own journey from contestant to Gang Leader gives him a unique perspective on what aspiring Roadies must endure.
Speaking about his Kolkata experience, Baseer praised the energy of the students and said that meeting young aspirants made the REBIRTH journey particularly special. He also reflected on the full-circle nature of moving from competing as a contestant to mentoring a new generation.
That transition could prove particularly valuable in the new format. Baseer knows firsthand what contestants face when they enter the Roadies environment, but he will now have to make decisions from the other side of the battlefield.
The Kolkata auditions ultimately brought aspiring Roadies together to test their physical ability, determination and confidence. With contestants looking to push themselves beyond their limits, the city became another important chapter in the nationwide REBIRTH journey.
Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and the NewG Challenge
The NewG side brings a distinctly different energy to Roadies. Abhishek Malhan is making his debut as a Gang Leader, while Bani J returns to the franchise in a new role. Alongside them, Baseer Ali moves from former contestant to mentor and leader.
For Abhishek, the transition to the other side of the competition is an entirely new challenge. Known for his strong youth following, he now has to make strategic decisions, build a team and establish his leadership style rather than simply fight for his own survival.
Abhishek emphasised that Roadies is not merely about surviving the physical tasks but also about surviving the game itself. With two more leaders alongside him, the responsibility of building a gang and creating his own legacy adds another layer to his Roadies journey.
Bani J, meanwhile, returns with a clear message for contestants: the Roadie title has to be earned. Her familiarity with the franchise, combined with her NewG position, could make her one of the season’s key strategic players.
Her return also reinforces the central idea behind REBIRTH — the Roadies universe is evolving. Familiar faces are returning in unfamiliar roles, while newer personalities are being given the opportunity to redefine what leadership means in the franchise.
The result is a format where no contestant can afford to become complacent. Alliances could shift, strategies could collapse and a single decision could potentially change the direction of an entire gang.
With auditions continuing in Pune on September 12, the Roadies REBIRTH journey is only beginning. Kolkata has added another pool of ambitious contenders to a season already promising heightened competition and unpredictable dynamics.
Ultimately, REBIRTH comes down to the same fundamental test that has defined Roadies for years — resilience. But with six Gang Leaders, two opposing gangs and an OGs vs NewGs battle, the definition of survival may be more complicated than ever.
The question now is not simply who can complete the toughest task. It is who can adapt, strategise, survive and rise when everything around them changes?
