PhD From IIT At 53, Roadie At 57: Ashu Jain Proves That She Is 'Not Just A Grandma'. Know Her Story
57-year-old Ashu Jain from Dehradun has achieved what many would consider impossible—securing a spot on 'MTV Roadies', a show long dominated by young contestants.
A quick glance at Ashu Jain’s Instagram profile is enough to prove that she truly lives up to her handle, ‘Not Just a Grandma’. The 57-year-old from Dehradun has achieved what many would consider impossible—securing a spot on 'MTV Roadies', a show long dominated by young contestants. In the latest season, Roadies Double Cross, Ashu’s entry left the gang leaders—Neha Dhupia, Rhea Chakraborty, Prince Narula, Elvish Yadav, and Rannvijay Singha—completely stunned.
Ashu Jain's Roadies audition: Failing in Delhi but making the cut in Hyderabad
A fitness enthusiast and social media influencer, Ashu initially auditioned in Delhi but didn’t make the cut. She shared her experience on Instagram before trying her luck again in Hyderabad, where she finally secured her place in the show. When asked what inspired her to audition for a youth-centric reality show, Ashu credited her fitness coach for planting the idea.
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"Roadies audition was a suggestion from my coach, Lakhvinder Singh. I was so fascinated by the thought of it as soon as I heard it. It seemed challenging in a very fun way. There was nothing to lose, so I thought of giving it a try," she said.
Coincidentally, just a day before her Hyderabad audition, Rannvijay Singha came across her Instagram post about her Delhi audition and left a comment. To her surprise, he recognised her at the Hyderabad venue.
"Rannvijay commented a day before the Hyderabad auditions, and when I got on stage, he recognized me in the crowd and applauded my spirit. That really, really made my day."
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Speaking about her audition experience, Ashu described it as both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
"It was a novel experience that felt exciting. Waiting for long hours in serpentine queues, the puzzled looks… It was thrilling. I had never done anything like this before, and I was curious."
An IIT PhD holder who restarted her education at 45
But Roadies is just one of Ashu’s many achievements. A mother of three and grandmother to a five-year-old, she initially put her career on hold to focus on raising her family. She completed her B.Tech in 1989 with big dreams, but her priorities shifted. However, when her eldest daughter applied for an engineering course, she felt a renewed sense of passion for education.
At 45, Ashu enrolled in an M.Tech program and later pursued a PhD from IIT, which she completed at 53. Reflecting on her decision to return to academics, she recalled the criticism she faced:
"I did get a lot of weird looks and snide comments—‘She’s carrying a bag to college instead of teaching her kids,’ ‘Look at the state of her home’—but I was so caught up in living my dream that nothing else mattered."
Ashu Jain started her fitness journey at 44
Ashu’s journey wasn’t just about academics. At 44, she began facing serious health issues—weight gain, hypertension, lower back pain, and stiffness in her shoulders. Doctors advised her to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which became a turning point in her life.
"It all started with post-menopausal issues. Everyone said, ‘It happens, just accept it.’ But I followed my doctor’s advice—walks and clean eating. The difference was incredible. I then researched workouts for senior women, and to my surprise, strength training was recommended. I always thought it was only for the young. And that’s how my fitness journey began."
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Today, she has over 200,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares fitness tips, inspiring women of all ages to break barriers. She even won a 10-kilometer marathon, proving that determination has no age limit.
Ashu on Roadies gang leaders
Now a part of Roadies Double Cross, Ashu was selected into Rhea Chakraborty’s gang and formed a special bond with her. However, she admits that choosing a favorite gang leader is tough.
"I was in Gang Rhea, so I got to interact with her the most, and she became my favorite. But honestly, it’s a tough choice—all the gang leaders were superb."
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Ashu Jain's message to other women
Ashu’s story is a proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams—whether in academics, fitness, or reality television. For women hesitant to take the first step, she has a simple yet powerful message:
"I do think that had I pursued my higher education earlier, my career path would have been entirely different. But it’s much better than not having done it at all. I enjoyed the process so much—it was fulfilling. You can either keep moaning about lost time and opportunities or grab whatever you can. You will be a day older tomorrow."
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