Mumbai, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Television presenter and DJ Nikhil Chinapa has looked back at his unconventional fashion choices during his early years at MTV India, recalling how he regularly wore sarongs in public and even to night parties in the late 1990s.
In an Instagram post marking Throwback Thursday, Chinapa shared memories of his time as a VJ, saying that MTV and its presenters had considerable freedom to shape popular culture during that period and frequently featured on the front pages of national newspapers.
Chinapa joined MTV India in September 1997. He recalled travelling to Bali in 1998-99, where the local culture influenced him to adopt sarongs as part of his regular wardrobe.
“The sarongs came from there,” he wrote, explaining that the fashion phase eventually came to an end after MTV began airing a film music video featuring Salman Khan wearing a sarong. Chinapa said he could not remember the film but recalled that he stopped wearing the garment shortly afterwards.
Reflecting on his association with MTV, he noted that next year would mark three decades since he joined the channel, giving him a front-row view of the evolution of youth culture in India.
The 53-year-old presenter has also been sharing glimpses of his fitness and wellness journey on social media. He has spoken about focusing on longevity, cognitive health, nutrition, sleep and lifestyle choices, while working on what he describes as biohacking protocols.
In another Instagram update, Chinapa shared photographs from gym sessions with fellow television personality Rannvijay Singha, showcasing his fitness routine.
Widely credited with helping popularise electronic dance music (EDM) among young audiences in India, Chinapa has remained associated with youth entertainment through shows such as Roadies and Splitsvilla.
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