Raghu by Raghu Ram

Book Summary

Published in November 2013 by Rupa Publications, Rearview: My Roadies Journey is Raghu Ram’s candid memoir about transforming from a bullied child into the formidable force behind the iconic MTV reality show Roadies Structured in three parts—his early life (school and college), his meteoric rise in television, and behind‑the‑scenes stories—the book blends memoir, diary, and autobiography, offering readers an unfiltered look at both the man and the myth.

Raghu vividly recounts being scrawny and weak in his youth—a phase of bullying that later shaped his toughness. He describes how, despite personal challenges, he clawed his way into TV production as an intern at TV18 and eventually became the executive producer of Roadies and Splitsvilla The narrative uncovers how he tested nearly every task himself before contestants tried them, stayed awake for days to ensure perfect edits, and drove the gritty, confrontational tone that made Roadies both lauded and criticized.

The memoir doesn’t shy away from controversies: his reputation as "the rudest man on Indian TV," his clashes with bosses at MTV, and his complex relationships with contestants and collaborators. Through it all, Raghu insists the book gives him a chance to tell “his side of the story” in his own voice—with honesty, rawness, and occasional regret

About the Author — 

Raghu Ram Ambadapudi (born April 15, 1973, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh) is an Indian TV producer, presenter, and actor best known for creating and shaping youth-reality shows like MTV Roadies and MTV Splitsvilla (2003–2014). Raised in Delhi alongside his twin brother, Rajiv Lakshman, Raghu overcame early-life bullying and rejection to carve a place for himself in television. Known for his intense auditioner interrogations and unapologetic persona, he redefined Indian reality TV with a signature tough-love style that both fascinated and polarized audiences

In Rearview, Raghu not only recounts his career milestones—from intern to executive producer—but also delves into personal interests like songwriting, singing, atheism, and fears of water and heights. His autobiography is as much about personal redemption and resilience as it is about pop-culture fame and controversy After stepping away from MTV in 2014, he expanded into acting (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu films) and digital content creation, continuing to challenge norms and tell unapologetic stories in media