MTV Roadies: Double Cross Season 20, which premiered on January 11, 2025, on MTV India and JioHotstar, introduced a new gang leader to its roster: YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav. This season has sparked intense discussions among fans, but amidst its flaws, one thing stands out—Elvish Yadav is the chaotic, electrifying energy Roadies desperately needed. In this opinion piece, I’ll dive into why Elvish is the best part of Roadies Double Cross 2025, exploring his impact, the season’s highs and lows, and what makes him a game-changer for the iconic reality show.
Elvish Yadav promised to “bring the josh and shake things up” when he joined Roadies Double Cross as a gang leader, and he has delivered in spades. Known for his unfiltered persona and bold attitude, Elvish made an explosive entry during the Delhi auditions on October 13, 2024, declaring he’d “make the Roadies system hang.” This viral moment, shared widely across social media, set the tone for his journey on the show. Unlike the more predictable strategies of veteran gang leaders like Prince Narula, who’s been on the show for a decade, or Rhea Chakraborty, whose title defense has been underwhelming, Elvish brings a raw, youthful vibe that resonates with the audience.
His leadership style is a breath of fresh air. Elvish backed Yogesh Rawat, dubbed the season’s “most expensive contestant,” showcasing his knack for spotting talent. The Roadies Double Cross format, with its unique double-cross rule allowing gang leaders to cancel bids, plays perfectly into Elvish’s hands. He thrives in the unpredictability, keeping both contestants and viewers on edge.
But Elvish’s impact goes beyond strategy. His unfiltered personality—evident in moments like his humorous “class topper energy” (highlighted in a February 3, 2025, MTV India post)—adds a layer of entertainment that the show has been missing. Whether he’s sparking chaos with bold statements like “Mere jitna bada feminist yahan pe koi hai hi nahi” (March 8, 2025, Times of India) or engaging with fans in Chandigarh before auditions, Elvish brings a magnetic energy that makes him the season’s standout.
The “Double Cross” theme of Season 20 centers on betrayal, promising “Dhoke pe Dhoka” (betrayal at every turn). While the concept sounds thrilling, its execution is hit-or-miss. The betrayal angle creates drama, but it often feels forced and detracts from the core essence of Roadies—testing physical, mental, and emotional resilience. A glaring example is the mass elimination of 15-16 Roadies in a single episode, which left fans on X furious, calling it unfair, particularly to Neha Dhupia’s gang. One user on X even questioned, “Why select them if their journey isn’t meaningful?” This move, likely intended to amplify drama, instead alienated viewers who expect fairness in eliminations.
Rannvijay Singha’s return as host after a four-year hiatus is a nostalgic high point. His statement, “Roadies isn’t just a show; it’s an emotion for me,” resonates with longtime fans, and his presence brings back memories of the show’s early days when it focused on adventure and unity (India Today, October 14, 2024). However, the season’s obsession with backstabbing overshadows the physical and mental challenges that once defined Roadies. The double-cross rule, while innovative, often feels like a gimmick to manufacture tension rather than a genuine test of skill.
The other gang leaders also fall short of expectations. Prince Narula, despite his decade-long legacy, feels repetitive—his strategies lack innovation, and his roasting of Elvish at the Pune auditions (calling him a “2-week Bigg Boss winner”) came off as petty rather than competitive. Rhea Chakraborty, the reigning champion, promised grit but has failed to deliver the intensity needed to defend her title. Neha Dhupia’s mid-shoot walkout after a clash with Prince and Gautam Gulati seems more like a publicity stunt than a genuine stand, further highlighting the show’s reliance on manufactured drama.
Roadies has been struggling to balance its legacy with the evolving tastes of its audience, and Double Cross risks becoming a caricature of its former self with its overemphasis on betrayal. Elvish Yadav, however, is the saving grace. He’s the wildcard the show needed—a fresh face who isn’t bound by the established norms of the Roadies veterans. His bold leadership, coupled with his ability to connect with fans (evident in his Chandigarh fan meet where he engaged with over 2,500 students), makes him a youth icon who embodies the spirit of modern India.
Elvish’s authenticity sets him apart. While his controversial past—like an old video resurfacing where he criticized Roadies and its audience—drew flak, it also shows his growth. He’s not afraid to own his mistakes and adapt, a trait that resonates with the show’s younger audience. His financial success, with a reported net worth of ₹50 crore, also adds to his credibility as a leader who’s made it big through hustle.
The establishment narrative often paints Roadies as a platform for youth empowerment, but this season’s focus on drama undermines that claim. Elvish, however, brings back some of that original spirit. His gang’s emergence as a “dark horse” (MTV India, March 24, 2025) and his ability to learn the “tricks of the trade” despite being a newcomer (MTV India, January 28, 2025) show he’s not just here for the spotlight—he’s here to compete and inspire. Even his humanitarian side shines through, as seen when he and Prince Narula offered financial support to a contestant for his father’s medical treatment, proving he’s more than just a chaotic force.
Roadies Double Cross 2025 has its flaws—forced drama, unfair eliminations, and a lack of depth in its veteran gang leaders. But Elvish Yadav is the spark that keeps the season alive. His unfiltered energy, strategic gameplay, and connection with the audience make him the best thing about the show. He’s not perfect—his brashness can border on arrogance, as seen in his clash with Prince—but that’s what makes him compelling.
In a season about betrayal, Elvish is the underdog who doesn’t play by the rules, and that’s exactly what Roadies needed to stay relevant in 2025. I give the season a 7/10, largely thanks to Elvish. If you’re watching Roadies Double Cross 2025, he’s the reason to tune in every Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM on MTV or JioHotstar.
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