It was a different time for reality TV back in 2007-08. For one, there was more reality and drama, and the contestants were largely unfiltered.
Secondly, there were fewer shows in India, and the concept of reality TV stars was unheard of. If one points out some of the early stars from the genre, Ashutosh Kaushik’s name is always in the top few. The boy from Saharanpur became a sensation winning two big reality shows back-to-back before it all came crashing down for him. (Ashutosh Kaushik: I got too much, too soon in life and couldn’t cash it)
Ashutosh Kaushik’s rise to fame
In 2007, Ashutosh, a 25-year-old adventure enthusiast, participated in the fifth season of MTV Roadies and emerged as the clear frontrunner early on. His unfiltered, raw attitude made him a clear fan favourite, and he easily won the season. The next year, he participated in Bigg Boss season 2. Despite the presence of celebs like Monica Bedi, Rahul Mahajan, and Payal Rohatgi, Ashutosh held his own and became the first non-celeb winner of the popular reality show. This was his zenith, but unfortunately, the only way was down.
Ashutosh Kaushik’s chequered career
In 2009, Ashutosh was arrested for riding a motorbike under the influence of alcohol. After a trial, he was found guilty and sentenced to one day in prison. The reality star turned actor soon after, doing small roles in films like Laal Rang, Zila Ghaziabad, and Shortcut Romeo. However, none of the films were successful, and his performances were not noticed either. In an interview with Indiatimes years later, Ashutosh admitted he could not ‘handle’ the fame, so he chose to exit showbiz.
