Viraja Ramanujam
The city of Bhopal got a flavor of some thrilling stunts put up by host-VJ Rannvijay Singh and local boy Babar Khan, who were in town to promote MTV’s reality show ‘Stuntmania.’ In an interview with HT, Rannvijay spoke to Viraja Ramanujam about his passion and craze for bikes, how he got into hosting shows for MTV and more. Excerpts:
HT: What is the idea behind shifting the format of ‘Stuntmania’ from street stunting to underground?
Rannvijay: There is a social stigma attached with stunt riding in Indian society, whereas in most other countries it is considered a sport. Here, society gives bikers a bad name, parents disapprove of their children performing stunts on bikes and the traffic police create a problem since stunt riding is against the traffic rules. Underground, there are no restrictions and the contestants are free to perform stunts, away from the realm of the normal world.
HT: What made you host this show on MTV?
Rannvijay: I am crazy about bikes! I have wanted to host “Stuntmania’ since its inception, but something or the other kept me busy then. I finally got the opportunity to host season 3.
HT: If not a TV anchor or actor today, what would you be?
Rannvijay: I would have been in the army. Five generations of my family have been with the army and I got selected too. But I didn’t join since it clashed with my MTV Roadies schedule. Once I won the first season of Roadies, I became a VJ and started hosting the show. None of this was planned in advance.
HT: How has your visit to Bhopal been?
Rannvijay: I am thrilled to be in the city and to interact with the locals. Bhopal has always been special for me. I love the upper lake, lower lake and the architecture of the temples and mosques. I also get a hill station-feel here. Bhopal has many passionate stunt bikers and I hope to shoot here sometime.
HT: Girls find you extremely hot! What is your fitness mantra?
Rannvijay: I run and play a multitude of sports. In fact, I used to play basket ball for India. I love outdoor adventure sports as well. No gym for me!
HT: What would be your advice to the aspiring stunt bikers?
Rannvijay: Ride safe! Protect yourself properly while performing stunts. With good training and techniques, there is little danger involved in the sport.
Local boy Babar Khan, the winner of ‘Stuntmania’ season 2, performed blood-tingling stunts with perfect control, amidst public hooting and cheering in DB mall on June 29. He is crazy about stunt biking and considers it God’s gift. Idolizing Jorian Ponomareff, Babar used to practice on a highway 30 kilometers away from Bhopal. “My dream of opening an academy to train biking enthusiasts and help them win ‘Stuntmania’ is underway and I hope the government approves it,” he says. He has already started getting international offers and is currently training the contestants from Bhopal for season 3 of the show.
5 out of the 12 contestants in ‘Stuntmania’ season 3 are from Bhopal- Maaz, Sikandar, Zeeshan, Bilal and Adil.
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