“Every single masterpiece has its cheap copies indeed.”
Pakistani digital creators have released the teaser of the reality show, Funkaar, hosted by Azekah Daniel, Azlan Shah, and Mubeen Ul Haq.
However, it has sparked controversy for its striking resemblance to MTV Roadies.
The teaser, released on Meta Entertainment’s Facebook page on February 26, 2025, has drawn widespread criticism from social media users.
Many have ridiculed Funkaar as an unoriginal attempt to replicate MTV Roadies, with fans expressing their disappointment in the hosts and contestants.
Social media platforms have been flooded with memes and harsh comments, calling out the show for lacking creativity.
Some users sarcastically labelled it a “Non-PTA Approved Roadies.”
Meanwhile, others branded it a “China version” of Waqar Zaka’s infamous 2016 reality show Over the Edge.
Fans have also taken issue with the show’s timing as it is set to air during Ramadan.
Several users pointed out that Pakistan should take inspiration from India’s success in cricket rather than copying controversial reality shows.
A disappointed fan remarked: “We are talented people. Why can’t we create original content?”
Another wrote: “I wasn’t expecting this from Azlan Shah.”
One said: “Every single masterpiece has its cheap copies indeed.”
Interestingly, this is not the first time a Pakistani show has been accused of copying Roadies.
In 2016, Waqar Zaka’s Over the Edge faced similar criticism for mimicking the survival-based competition format.
The debate over originality resurfaced when Raghu Ram, the creator of MTV Roadies, addressed the issue.
It came up during a YouTube interview with Tanmay Bhat in November 2024.
During the conversation, Raghu revealed that he once considered legal action against Pakistani creators for copying Roadies.
However, he later discovered that MTV itself had failed to secure the show’s copyrights, even after four seasons.
Raghu humorously admitted that had he personally owned the brand’s rights, he would have been significantly wealthier.
Although he left Roadies years ago, the show has continued to thrive, with its 20th season releasing in January 2025.
The controversy surrounding Funkaar raises broader concerns about originality in Pakistani entertainment.
While fans eagerly support local content, they expect fresh ideas rather than recycled versions of international formats.
With the backlash intensifying, it remains to be seen whether the creators of Funkaar will address the criticism or continue with their current approach.
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