In line with the growing popularity of reality TV game shows around the world, a Nepali counterpart of the popular Indian show MTV Roadies, Himalaya Roadies, has started this week.

As part of the opening leg of the debut season of the show, an audition was held at Devinagar in Butwal on Saturday. The show is organised jointly by Himalaya Televison and MTV Roadies.

Earlier this week, the first rounds of auditions were held at Cha Cha Wee Fun Park, in Pokhara. 

The Pokhara leg saw a total of 180 contestants, who were judged by a panel comprising RJ and actor Raymon Das Shrestha, actor Deeya Maskey and rapper Aashish Rana, also popularly known as Laure. 

The names of contestants to have made it to the next level will be announced during the Kathmandu leg of the auditions, slated to be held on March 13 and 14. 

“The response from the participants has been overwhelming.

There were participants representing neighbouring districts as well, and the contestants are full of energy and enthusiasm.

It has been a humbling experience,” said Aman Pratap Adhikari, programme co-ordinator. 

The 18-episode series, themed Rising Through Hell, is slated to go on air on Himalaya Television from June, with the eventual winner walking away with a cash purse of Rs 20 lakh and a Bajaj Avenger bike. 

The next rounds of the auditions will be held in Chitwan (on March 6), Dharan (on March 9) and in the Capital (on March 13 and 14).

MTV Roadies, which has proven to be one of the biggest reality shows in South Asia, with thousands of contestants and audiences for over a decade, is a show often associated with the youth and a reflection of the attitude of adventurists.

In the show, a group of contestants travel to different destinations and participate in various tasks that challenge their physical and mental strength.

During the course of the journey, there are vote outs, vote ins, eliminations and game changing twists.

Eventually, the contestant who manages to survive vote outs and succeed in the final task is chosen as the winner.