Exclusive: Hamid Barkzi on winning Roadies Revolution title: I saw my game on TV during lockdown and was not happy; I prepared myself for a better comeback

Hamid Barkzi is the winner of this season’s youth-based reality show Roadies Revolution. The Delhi boy has created history for gang leader Nikhil Chinapa, who for the first time in his five-years reached the finals and won the trophy. Hamid is happy to bring the trophy for his Nikhil sir. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Hamid shared his winning moment, his journey, how lockdown helped him prepare better, future aspirations and more. (PC - Instagram)

- Interview by Sukarna Mondal

It feels really amazing. Working so hard for something and then achieving it, it’s an amazing feeling. And the love I am getting from the audience is really amazing. I ended my journey on a happy moment. I remember most of the contestants were supporting Jayant. I have always performed as an underdog. Neha Dhupia ma’am told, “Underdogs hamesha chamakte hai”. Rannvijay Sir too, motivated me a lot during the task." (PC - Instagram)

I didn’t clear the Delhi GD (group discussion) and then went to Chandigarh audition. I cleared it there and then went to Mumbai for the personal interview. I was very nervous. I didn’t have that confidence and that’s the main reason why I participated in Roadies. I thought I will learn a lot of things and get confident too. Then I showcased my skills and moved to the culling round. I cleared that as well. It’s such a great feeling that out of thousands of people, only 20 go ahead. My start was a little slow. I was not confident and didn’t believe in myself. I was scared that what if I lose the task, that’s why I wouldn’t perform in the tasks. Nikhil sir has played a major role in my journey. He pushed me to perform and give it a try. He would, “If you don’t try how will you get the confidence.” And I worked on it. I wanted to be in his gang since the very beginning. He is very calm. He believed in me and my winning with him is just a different feeling. (PC - Instagram)

For the first time in the history of Roadies, we got a break. We got back home, saw ourselves on TV. Watching myself on TV and realised I was not doing so great… I am much better than what I saw. I decided to be more vocal. My strategy since Day 1 was to perform because I can’t do planning and I am not into plotting. I can’t manipulate people. We had formed a team loyalty and we were loyal to a few people – Prakhar, Arushi, Kevin, Tarandeep, Michael. We were playing together. My family had supported me a lot and motivated me. I made sure that once I go back, nothing can stop me. God has been kind. After lockdown, my journey was very different. I started performing, I started winning. I haven’t lost a single task after the lockdown till the finale. It was just a rollercoaster journey. (PC - Instagram)

I have been dreaming about Roadies since childhood. It’s been a long time I have been watching the show. I was always interested in sports and never liked studying. While watching the tasks in the Roadies, I used to think to myself that I have to try them once in my life. I went for it and got lucky. Everyone dreams of getting in Roadies but winning it is just a different feeling. (PC - Instagram)

My dad is from Afghanistan and I was born and brought up in Delhi. I did my schooling and graduated from Delhi. I did BBA just for namesake, haven’t studied a bit. (PC -Instagram)

My father came from Afghanistan in the 90s. There are many Afghanis, who come to India for treatment and they fall into fraud cases. My father used to personally attend the Afghanis and see they get proper treatment and food and are not cheated here. I would also accompany him since childhood. I would often bunk school too. This has been my vision - to help the needy in the society and whatever I can do for my country India in near future. (PC - Instagram)

I want to pursue acting. I am getting 2-3 offers also. I am going to go with the flow. Let’s see how it happens. I haven’t thought of reality shows much but if there’s an opportunity then why not. The more visible you are the better. (PC - Instagram)

The basketball task. It changed everything. Right from the contestants to the gang leaders’ thinking – they finally knew I am a performer. That time injury didn’t matter to me. That was the turning point. (PC - Instagram)

For the uninitiated, Prince Narula made a comeback in the game after a long period and had challenged Hamid. Hamid had then said that he doesn’t need his help. But just in the next episode, Hamid requested Prince to play with him in the Ticket to Finale task and he won it. Explaining the scenario, Hamid shared, “Prince sir came back after a long time and obviously he didn’t have much idea of what was happening in the game. He had then forwarded his hand for friendship. At that time I wasn’t saying no to Prince sir. I respect him as a leader. I was trying to make him understand that he might want to make an alliance, but his team members won’t. We knew the inside dynamics. But 'unka bahut bada dil hai' that he helped me. He is reality king for real. When he performs, who alag hi josh ke sath karte hai. I love him. (PC - Instagram)

- Interview by - Sukarna Mondal