Quick answer: Ashutosh Kaushik, from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was the first person to win both MTV Roadies and Bigg Boss. He won Roadies 5 (the season ended in January 2008, with Nihal Nikam as runner-up) and then Bigg Boss 2 on 22 November 2008, beating Raja Chaudhary in the finale. He later acted in Hindi films such as Zila Ghaziabad and Laal Rang.
Who is Ashutosh Kaushik?
Ashutosh Kaushik is an Indian actor and reality-TV personality. He became famous in 2008, when he won two of Indian television’s best-known reality shows in the same year: MTV Roadies 5 and the second season of Bigg Boss. He has since worked in Hindi films, mostly in supporting roles.
Ashutosh Kaushik: profile at a glance
- Name: Ashutosh Kaushik
- From: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Born: sources disagree. An earlier version of this article gave both 2 October 1979 and 12 October 1979; his Wikipedia entry gives 1981 or 1982 with no exact date. We have therefore not stated an age.
- Occupation: actor
- Reality show wins: MTV Roadies 5; Bigg Boss 2
- Spouse: Arpita (married April 2020)
An earlier version of this article also listed a full name with a father’s name, his height, weight and religion. Those details could not be verified and have been removed.
MTV Roadies 5 winner
MTV Roadies 5 ran from 28 October 2007 to 13 January 2008, hosted by Rannvijay Singh, with Raghu Ram and Nikhil Chinapa on the selection panel. Ashutosh Kaushik made it through the auditions and the journey to the finale, where he won the season. Nihal Nikam was the runner-up.
An earlier version of this article said he auditioned in Delhi and won a bike as the prize, and described how he and Nihal “eliminated all the good contestants”. We could not confirm those details, so they are not repeated here. For more on the show’s judges, read our Raghu Ram biography, and for every season’s champion see our MTV Roadies winners list.
He also appeared in a later season, MTV Roadies 8 (2011).
Bigg Boss 2 winner
Bigg Boss 2 ran from 17 August to 22 November 2008, hosted by actor Shilpa Shetty. Ashutosh Kaushik won the season, with actor Raja Chaudhary as the runner-up. The prize money listed for that season is ₹1 crore.
He followed Rahul Roy, the first Bigg Boss winner, and was followed by Vindu Dara Singh, who won Bigg Boss 3. See all the seasons in our list of Bigg Boss winners.
Roadies and Bigg Boss: who else has won both?
Ashutosh Kaushik was the first person to win both shows. Years later, Prince Narula did the same, winning Roadies X2 and then Bigg Boss 9 in 2015 to 2016.
Film career
After his reality-show wins, Ashutosh Kaushik moved into Hindi films. His credits include:
- Kismat Love Paisa Dilli (2012)
- Shortcut Romeo (2013)
- Zila Ghaziabad (2013)
- Laal Rang (2016)
- Chal Jaa Bapu (2016)
- Bhadaas, Love Ke Funday and Pitamah, listed in his filmography without confirmed years
An earlier version of this article called Kismat Love Paisa Dilli his debut film and said he “is nowadays appearing in Bollywood movies”. We could not confirm that it was his first film, and that description was written around 2016.
Personal life
Ashutosh Kaushik married Arpita, a banker from Aligarh, on 26 April 2020. The wedding was a small ceremony at his home in Noida during the COVID-19 lockdown, with only close family present, according to reports at the time. An earlier version of this article named a different person as his wife; we found no reliable record of that, and it has been corrected.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Bigg Boss 2?
Ashutosh Kaushik won Bigg Boss 2 on 22 November 2008. Raja Chaudhary was the runner-up and Shilpa Shetty hosted the season.
Who won MTV Roadies 5?
Ashutosh Kaushik won Roadies 5, which ended in January 2008. Nihal Nikam was the runner-up.
Who was the first person to win both Roadies and Bigg Boss?
Ashutosh Kaushik, in 2008. Prince Narula later won both Roadies X2 and Bigg Boss 9.
Where is Ashutosh Kaushik from?
He is from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
How old is Ashutosh Kaushik?
Published sources disagree on his year of birth (1979, 1981 and 1982 all appear), so we cannot give a reliable age.
Details checked in October 2026 against his Wikipedia entry, the MTV Roadies and Bigg Boss season records, and 2020 press reports of his wedding. Unverifiable personal details have been removed.
