Celebs who started their career from reality shows

Reality shows occupy major section of television programs. Most winners turned into just a onetime wonder. There are few exceptions, which use this opportunity as their ticket to stardom.

Let’s take a look at reality show contestants who are now famous faces on small screen.

Divyanka Tripathi: Television industry’s one of the most sought after actress Divyanka Tripathi started her journey with a reality show. Divyanka was the winner of Bhopal zone of talent hunt show ‘Zee Cinestar Ki Khoj’. She forayed into fiction shows with ‘Banoo Mein Teri Dulhann’, followed by more shows to display her versatility. Divyanka is winning the viewers as ‘Ishita Bhalla’ in Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Ye Hai Mohabbatein’.

Meiyang Chang: With his twinkling eyes and melodious voice, Meiyang has been host of different shows. Singer turned host turned actor, Meiyang Chang first appeared in limelight through a singing reality show. He was among the top 5 finalists in ‘Indian Idol Season 3'. His charming personality and easy demeanor made him the host for the show’s next season. Meiyang tasted success by grabbing ‘Badmaash Company’ produced by Yash Raj production. Besides frequently hosting reality shows and award functions, Meiyang is trying his hand at acting, recent one being –‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshi’.

Binny Sharma: Binny’s stint with television started with participating in reality show ‘Dance India Dance’. This Punjabi Kudi was among the top 18 but soon got evicted. It was a big blow to the dancer within her. Instead of getting bogged down by defeat, Binny tried her luck again. She turned up among the top 4 finalists. Binny later went on to do ‘Sanjog Se Bani Sangini’ opposite Iqbal Khan. Dancer turned actress Binny Sharma is at ease portraying 30 plus married woman in Zee TV’s family saga ‘Hello Pratibha’.

Vishal Karwal: Trained as commercial pilot, Vishal was among the participants of youth reality show ‘MTV Roadies 4’. He continued his spree with MTV by hosting shows. His first work on television was with ‘Bhagyavidhata’. It was followed by ‘Rishton Se Badi Pratha’. His role as ‘Dwarkadheesh- Shri Krishna’ is the most famous character in the actor’s repertoire.

Ayushmann Khurrana: Before becoming an established name in Bollywood, Ayushmann Khurrana was known as a RJ, VJ and reality show contestant. Ayushmann was part of MTV’s adventure reality show ‘MTV Roadies Season 2’ which he won. Ayushamnn shifted from small screen to big with Shoojit Sircar’s ‘Vicky Donor’ and as they said, rest is history!

Raghav Juyal: Raghav, a simple dancer transformed into the ‘King of Slow motion’ when he showcased his trade mark dance style ‘Slow Motion Walk’ in ‘Dance India Dance Season 2’. Raghav’s confident presence in front of camera got him his debut movie ‘Sonali Cable’. The role was small but noticeable. Raghav is gearing up for his big break in Bollywood with mentor Remo D’souza’s dance film ‘ABCD 2’. The movie will present Raghav as a dancer as well as an actor.

Rithvik Dhanjani: His perfect dance moves during the auditions of reality show ‘Dance India Dance Season 1’ got Rithvik Dhanjani noticed. He went on to act in dailys soaps like ‘Bandini’, ‘Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani’ and ‘Pavitra Rishta’. Ritvik was part of non-fiction shows like ‘Jhalak Dikhla Ja 5’, ‘Dare to Dance’, ‘Nach Baliye 6’ and ‘Distraction’. Ritvik is co-hosting ‘Nach Baliye 7’ with Karan Patel.

Rannvijay Singh: An army kid, Rannvijay was always attracted towards adventure which resulted in, him taking part in reality show ‘MTV Roadies’. He was the winner of season 1. From being a contestant Rannvijay turned host for various shows. Rannvijay became associated with MTV Roadies. He tried his luck in Hindi movies. His debuted with movie ‘Toss: A Flip Of Destiny which was a box office dud. He did Hindi movies like ‘Action Replay’ and ‘London Dream’ and some Punjabi movies. Rannvijay returned to small screen with action drama ‘Pukaar’ in which he played an army major.

Sumedh Mudgalkar: Sumedh entered television industry by performing in dance reality shows like ‘Dance India Dance’ and ‘Dance Maharashtra Dance’. With his light eyes and mischievous smile, in no time he got his first break as ‘Raghav’ in Channel V show ‘Dil Dosti Dance’. Presently, Sumedh is known as ‘youngest villain’ on television for his portrayal of ‘Yuvraj Sushim’ in Colors ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’.

Faisal Khan: A young boy from a humble background, Faisal’s journey on television started with participating in reality show ‘Dance India Dance L’il Masters Season 2’. With his angelic face and agile footwork, Faisal won the title. Faisal’s photogenic face was noticed by an acclaimed production house which spent no time in casting him in the title role of young warrior prince in historical show ‘Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap’. After ‘Maharana Pratap’, Faisal is returning to his first love ‘dance’ by participating in celebrity dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhla Ja’.