Kushal Tanwar, a.k.a Gullu, is dominating headlines today after bagging the winner’s trophy on the 20th season of MTV’s popular game show, Roadies Double Cross. On June 1, 2025, after a high-stakes showdown, Gullu became the champion of MTV Roadies XX, taking home the winner’s trophy, a brand new Hero Karizma bike, and a big check of Rs. 10 lakh. While he is all the rage right now, did you know that it was not Kushal’s first gig at this game show?
The regular followers of Roadies might remember the contestant, who came as a fake sheikh this time, once walked into the room for an audition back in 2019, with a nervous and timid personality. It was his first. Yes, that was none other than Kushal ‘Gullu’ Tanwar himself, trying to stand out in a crowd of hopefuls.
Back then, he was underconfident, inexperienced, and still figuring things out. But what followed was a journey that changed everything. From being that rejected guy to lifting the Roadies XX trophy as Elvish Yadav’s wildcard contestant, Gullu’s story is straight out of a redemption arc. Here’s how the once-confused youngster became a breakout Roadies star in 2025.
Who is Kushal Tanwar (Gullu)?
Kushal Tanwar, also known as Gullu Boxer or Gullu, is a content creator from Gurugram, Haryana. According to Stars Unfolded, Kushal got a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management in 2022 from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (IHMCT) in Pune. Over the years, the influencer-YouTuber tried his hand at various business ventures, including co-founding a cafe in his hometown, but it was later closed.
Hailing from a modest background, Kushal was never the one to stick to the conventional path. He dabbled in different courses, took random turns in his career, and often confused his family and friends. But what looked like confusion on the outside was actually experimentation. Gullu began posting content online, and people started noticing his natural flair for being raw and funny.
Kushal Tanwar’s first Roadies audition in 2019
Back in 2019, a lesser-known Kushal Tanwar walked into the Roadies audition room dressed in a bizarre get-up: a fake sheikh outfit. It was his first-ever attempt to enter the show, and he wanted to do something unique to stand out. But the bold move didn’t work in his favour, and was rejected.
Kushal Talwar’s second attempt at Roadies turned out to be a game-changer
Fast forward to 2025, when Roadies XX opened its doors for auditions again, Gullu didn’t repeat the same mistake. This time, the judges saw a confident, self-aware, and mentally prepared contestant in the content creator, and what a comeback it was! He came dressed up as a sheikh, which initially surprised the gang leaders, but later, his revelation about wearing a quirky outfit to gain attention won hearts.
Brought in as a wildcard by YouTuber Elvish Yadav, Gullu instantly became a crowd favourite. He wasn’t the loudest or the flashiest, but his honesty, humour, and unfiltered personality made him relatable. The same Kushal from six years back, now everyone’s favourite Gullu, not only made it to the show, but he also came back stronger than ever, finally lifting the Roadies XX trophy as Elvish Yadav’s wildcard contestant.
Kushal Tanwar’s Roadies XX victory is more than just winning a game
Gullu’s win was a full-circle moment and a satisfying victory for every underdog. After his glorious win, Gullu shared a deeply personal message as he reflected on his journey from being a lonely guy who never got acknowledged to mastering the high-stakes game show. In his words:
“Winning MTV Roadies Double Cross wasn’t just a title — it was a silent scream finally heard. There was no support, no guiding hand, no one to lift me when I was down. I went through it all alone. This win is more than a trophy. It’s a symbol for every person who’s ever felt alone, who’s ever been told they’re not enough. I walked this path by myself, but I never gave up. And that’s what this victory is: not fame, not glory — but proof that even when you have nothing, you can still become everything.”
Kushal’s gang leader, Elvish Yadav, saw the fire in him when no one else did. From Day 1, the YouTuber had confidence in Gullu, and he hoped for that spark to come through, and it finally did. Speaking about his gang member’s glorious win, Prince reflected on Kushal’s journey and said:
“From Day 1, I saw fire in Gullu (Kushal Tanwar). He didn’t just win tasks, he won hearts. His journey defines what Roadies Double Cross is all about — unpredictability, loyalty, and passion. I couldn’t have asked for a better gang member in my debut season!”
In a world obsessed with overnight success and perfect resumes, Gullu’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to figure things out slowly. It’s okay to feel confused, fail, experiment, and even be laughed at. Everything comes together once you rise from those ashes, on your own terms!
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