Elvish Yadav’s Roadies Win: A Triumph of Intellect Over Classist Prejudice
Elvish Yadav’s victory in Roadies XX: Double Cross wasn’t just a win for him or his gang member, Kushal “Gullu” Tanwar—it was a loud, unapologetic statement against the classist biases that plague Indian society. Elvish, a YouTuber from Haryana with a massive fanbase, walked into the high-octane world of Roadies as a debut gang leader and emerged as a mastermind, outsmarting seasoned veterans like Prince Narula and Neha Dhupia. His win wasn’t just about lifting a trophy; it was about shattering stereotypes, proving his intellectual mettle, and exposing the ugly underbelly of classism that often dismisses people based on their dialect or background. Let me break it down—
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The Underdog Who Outsmarted Everyone
From the moment Elvish stepped into Roadies XX, he was trolled. People called him “uneducated” or “just another influencer” because of his Haryanvi accent and desi vibe. But what did he do? He let his actions speak louder than the noise. Elvish didn’t just play the game; he rewrote the rulebook. Posts on X captured this perfectly: “First season. First win. First influencer to turn doubt into dominance”. Unlike other gang leaders who relied on bravado or past glory, Elvish used strategy, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of his team’s strengths. He wasn’t there to hog the spotlight—he gave his gang members, like Gullu, the space to shine.
Take Gullu’s journey, for instance. He was evicted early but returned as a wildcard and eventually won the show under Elvish’s mentorship. Elvish saw potential in Gullu when others didn’t. He didn’t just pick strong players; he built a family, fostering loyalty and trust. As one X post put it, “He didn’t just choose a gang, he built a family”. In the finale, when Gullu outdid Hartaaj Singh Gill, completing the task in 1 minute 16 seconds compared to Hartaaj’s 1 minute 48 seconds, it was a testament to Elvish’s leadership. He didn’t just win tasks; he won hearts, as he himself said: “From Day 1, I saw fire in Gullu. He didn’t just win tasks, he won hearts”.
Elvish’s intellect shone through in every move. Whether it was navigating the “Kaata ya Baata” challenge, where he predicted his contestant’s choices to secure Roadiums, or handling the emotional fallout of Yogesh Rawat’s eviction, Elvish showed he could think on his feet. He wasn’t just brawn; he was brains. As one fan on X noted, “Elvish and Rannvijay were the only two brainy people in Roadies Double XX”. While others got caught up in ego clashes, Elvish stayed calm, strategic, and focused. He proved that intelligence isn’t about speaking polished English or flaunting degrees—it’s about reading the game, understanding people, and making smart calls.
The Classist Lens: Judging Elvish by His Dialect
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—why does Elvish get so much hate? It’s not because he lacks talent or brains. It’s because of his Haryanvi accent, his unapologetic desi swagger, and the fact that he doesn’t fit the mold of what India’s urban elite consider “classy.” Bhai, yeh toh wahi purani classism ki baat hai—where we judge someone’s worth by how they speak, not what they do.
Elvish, with his 16.5 million YouTube subscribers and Rs 50 crore net worth at just 27, is a self-made star who doesn’t need to mimic a posh accent to prove his worth. Yet, time and again, he’s dismissed as “chapri” or “uneducated” because he speaks in a dialect that’s rooted in his Haryanvi identity.
This obsession with dialects and polished English is a disease in India. We worship those who sound like they’ve stepped out of a British drama, but scoff at someone who speaks with a regional twang. A post on X hit the nail on the head: “The entire thrope of Elvish being uneducated comes from accent. Even though he scored more than 95% of you’ll in 12th and went a college you’ll rarely gets into”. Elvish graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Hansraj College, Delhi—not exactly a small feat. But for some, his accent overshadows his achievements. This is classism at its worst: judging someone’s intelligence or character based on how they sound rather than what they’ve done.
Elvish’s haters conveniently ignore his track record. He’s not just a YouTuber; he’s a cultural phenomenon who won Bigg Boss OTT 2 as a wildcard, a first in the show’s history. He’s built an empire with 16.7 million Instagram followers, a gaming channel, and a luxury lifestyle that includes a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and a 16-BHK house in Gurgaon. Yet, the moment he opens his mouth, some people clutch their pearls because he doesn’t sound like he’s from South Delhi. Yeh kaisa insaaf hai? Why do we let classist biases blind us to someone’s brilliance?
The Misunderstood Showstopper
Elvish’s journey on Roadies was a masterclass in leadership, but it wasn’t without drama. His rivalry with Prince Narula, marked by a viral altercation where they threatened physical violence, grabbed headlines. Prince threw shade, saying, “My time has been running for 10 years,” but Elvish didn’t back down, proving his mettle by outsmarting him in the finale. Despite the tension, Elvish kept his cool, focusing on strategy over ego. As one X user noted, “Prince made a lot of ad hominem attacks on Elvish, but he kept his cool”.
Then there’s the controversy over his “feminist” comment, where he cheekily claimed, “Mere jitna bada feminist yahan pe koi hai hi nahi” (There’s no bigger feminist here than me). Some took it out of context, painting him as arrogant, but those who watched the episode saw the humor and confidence behind it. Elvish wasn’t mocking feminism; he was owning his space with his signature wit. Yet, the backlash was swift, proving how quick people are to misunderstand him. He’s been trolled for everything—from his accent to a past racist remark against Chum Darang, for which he apologized. But the hate often feels disproportionate, rooted in a refusal to see beyond his desi roots.
Elvish’s emotional side also got overlooked. When Yogesh Rawat was evicted, Elvish broke down, blaming Kilingpi and saying, “You have dominated most of the tasks. You don’t have to feel otherwise”. This wasn’t just a gang leader talking—it was a mentor who genuinely cared. He gave his team the freedom to take risks, make mistakes, and grow. Gullu’s win was proof of that trust: “Gang Elvish ne mujhe woh space diya jahan main full power mein khel saka” (Gang Elvish gave me the space to play with full power).
Why This Win Matters
Elvish’s Roadies victory is a middle finger to India’s obsession with classist stereotypes. We’re a country that claims to celebrate diversity but often looks down on those who don’t fit the “elite” mold. Elvish, with his Haryanvi dialect and unfiltered personality, is a reminder that talent doesn’t need a posh accent or a fancy degree to shine. He’s a symbol of the new India—young, ambitious, and unafraid to be himself. As Gullu said, “This win is more than a trophy. It’s a symbol—for every person who’s ever felt alone, who’s ever been told they’re not enough”. Elvish’s leadership made that possible.
Elvish didn’t just win Roadies; he won respect for every small-town kid who’s been judged for their accent or roots. He showed that intellect isn’t about how you speak—it’s about how you think, strategize, and uplift others. His haters can keep throwing shade, but the trophy is in his hands, and the love of millions is in his corner. Isn’t it time we stop letting classist biases blind us and start celebrating the real heroes who prove themselves against all odds? Elvish Yadav is that hero—a showstopper, a stunner, and a systumm-changer.
