01 July,2026 01:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lahu Ughade. Pic via special arrangement
Pune-based mountaineer Lahu Ughade has emerged as the winner of Discovery's Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav, becoming the first champion of the India adaptation of the globally popular survival franchise. The adventure reality show marked the franchise's debut in the Asia Pacific region and challenged six contestants to survive in the wilderness with limited resources.
Inspired by the instincts and resilience of the Aadimanav lifestyle, the show saw participants navigate the rugged landscapes of Palawan in the Philippines while battling harsh weather, unfamiliar terrain and extreme survival conditions.
Known for summiting Mount Everest, Lahu relied on years of trekking and mountaineering experience to overcome the show's toughest challenges. Growing up around Pune's Sinhagad region, he developed a deep connection with the outdoors from an early age, which proved to be an advantage throughout the competition.
Over several weeks, the survivalist earned a reputation as one of the strongest contestants by remaining calm under pressure and adapting to constantly changing conditions. He also emerged as a dependable teammate, helping fellow participants stay safe and warm while navigating the demanding wilderness.
His resilience, resourcefulness and ability to stay composed ultimately helped him outlast the competition and claim the title.
Speaking about his win, Lahu described the experience as one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of his life.
"Winning Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav is an incredibly special moment for me. The experience challenged me in ways I never expected and taught me lessons that will stay with me for life. There were difficult days, moments of doubt and situations that pushed me to dig deeper than ever before. Looking back, I feel grateful for every challenge because it made this achievement even more meaningful," he said.
Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav featured six contestants from diverse backgrounds who were pushed to their physical and mental limits while surviving with minimal resources in the wild.
With Lahu Ughade crowned the inaugural winner, the series concludes its first Indian edition on a high note. All episodes of Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav are now available to stream on Discovery plus.
