Abhishek Malhan, popularly known as 'Fukra Insaan', is set to make his debut as a Gang Leader on MTV Roadies: Rebirth, and the YouTuber-turned-reality star says his singular focus on the show will be ensuring his contestant goes all the way — even if that means going head-to-head with close friends.

Bonds Off Camera Must Stay Intact

Malhan addressed concerns about whether the competitive atmosphere of Roadies: Rebirth could strain his well-known friendship with fellow Gang Leader Prince Narula. He was clear that the two worlds — the show and real life — must remain separate.

'I think the bond that I share with him (Prince Narula) is much stronger than anything in this world. But honestly, when we get into a reality show and as a mentor, your only goal is to make your contestant win,' Malhan said, when asked if he feared competition might damage the friendship.

He elaborated: 'And then at that moment, we can do anything to make sure that our contestant wins. I feel what happens in the moment for the show should always stay in that moment and for the show. And when the camera cuts, I think the bonds that we share off camera should always be intact.'

Malhan concluded with a note of optimism: 'They shouldn't be distorted or finished. That's how I feel. And we are hoping for the best.'

A Star-Studded Mentor Lineup This Season

This season of Roadies: Rebirth features six Gang Leaders: Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula, Abhishek Malhan, Bani J, and Baseer Ali. The lineup brings together veterans of the franchise alongside newer faces from the digital entertainment space, making it one of the more diverse mentor panels in the show's history.

Who Is Abhishek Malhan?

Malhan built his following through long-form YouTube content under the persona 'Fukra Insaan', amassing a substantial subscriber base before crossing over into mainstream reality television. He has since appeared on Bigg Boss OTT, Playground Season 3, and Temptation Island India, steadily expanding his footprint beyond the digital space. His casting as a Gang Leader on Roadies marks a significant step up in his television profile.

How Roadies Has Evolved Over the Seasons

The early seasons of Roadies operated on a daily budget cap for contestants, designed to immerse participants in India's cultural and geographic diversity through task-based travel. After MTV took over production from the third season, the format shifted to a more competitive and high-stakes structure. The fourth season introduced the Battleground and Graveyard segments to bring in wild card contestants, while the fifth season added advantage tasks that could influence vote-out outcomes — and notably became the first season to take the journey international. Each season since has followed a distinct theme, with eliminations, vote-outs, and twists culminating in the crowning of the Ultimate Roadie in the finale.