Mumbai/New Delhi | YD News: The gaming reality show Playground is back with its fifth season, bringing a new set of contestants, mentors and challenges to the screen. Among the players taking part in Playground Season 5 is Ridey Behl, who has joined the KO Krakens, the team led by two-time champion Elvish Yadav.
Premiering on August 1, 2026, Playground Season 5 introduces a revamped format featuring three mentors – Elvish Yadav, Tejasswi Prakash and Aarush Bhola. The season combines gaming, strategy and reality entertainment, with the house itself becoming an important part of the game.
For Ridey Behl, the show marks an opportunity to take his digital presence into a competitive reality environment and connect with a much wider audience.
Ridey Behl Joins Elvish Yadav’s KO Krakens
Ridey Behl is competing as part of the KO Krakens, the team mentored by Elvish Yadav.
The team is entering the fifth season with a strong competitive identity, with Elvish Yadav returning after winning the show twice and now looking to make history with another title.
For the players, however, being part of a team led by an established reality and digital personality also brings its own expectations. The competition will require contestants to adapt to changing challenges, work with teammates and make strategic decisions under pressure.
Ridey Behl’s journey will therefore be about more than simply participating in the show. As the competition progresses, viewers will get an opportunity to see how he approaches challenges and responds to the dynamics inside the Playground.
Who Is Ridey Behl?
Ridey Behl, who uses the social-media handle @rideyay, has previously attracted attention through his digital content and social-media presence.
He came into the spotlight in 2024 following an interaction involving popular rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh. Ridey had posted a Reel discussing rapper Badshah, after which Honey Singh reportedly liked the Reel and later commented in support of him. The interaction was subsequently reported by several entertainment publications, including Hindustan Times.
That episode helped bring Ridey additional visibility online and demonstrated his ability to generate conversations through social-media content.
His participation in Playground Season 5 now takes that journey into a different environment – one where contestants have to combine personality, strategy, teamwork and performance.
Playground Season 5 Introduces a New Format
The fifth season of Playground brings a three-mentor structure to the competition.
Elvish Yadav leads the KO Krakens, Tejasswi Prakash takes charge of the Raging Centaurs, while Aarush Bholaleads the Power Phoenixes.
The new season also changes the role of the house itself. Instead of simply being a place where contestants live between challenges, the house becomes part of the game.
The season is planned across six weeks, with the three teams competing through gaming and reality-based challenges before one ultimate winner emerges.
This combination of gaming, strategy and reality entertainment is what makes Playground different from conventional reality shows.
What Makes Ridey’s Journey Worth Watching?
For Ridey, Playground Season 5 represents a new stage in his digital journey.
Social-media popularity can provide visibility, but a competitive reality show presents a very different challenge. Contestants have to deal with team dynamics, pressure, changing situations and the need to perform when the stakes are high.
Being part of the KO Krakens also places Ridey in a team led by one of the most recognisable personalities associated with the Playground franchise.
As the season progresses, his performance, interactions and approach to the challenges could become important factors in shaping his journey on the show.
From Digital Creator to Reality Gaming Contestant
The rise of India’s creator economy has created new pathways for digital personalities to enter mainstream entertainment.
Creators who initially build their audiences through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and short-form video are increasingly finding opportunities in reality shows, streaming platforms and entertainment formats.
Ridey’s entry into Playground Season 5 reflects this changing landscape.
The show gives him an opportunity to reach audiences beyond his existing social-media followers while allowing viewers to see a different side of his personality in a competitive environment.
Elvish Yadav’s KO Krakens Face a New Challenge
The KO Krakens enter Season 5 under the leadership of Elvish Yadav, who returns as a two-time champion.
Elvish has made it clear that his ambition this season is to push for a third title. The presence of new players and a revamped format, however, means that previous success does not guarantee another victory.
For players such as Ridey, this creates an opportunity to contribute to a team that already has a strong competitive legacy within the franchise.
Whether the KO Krakens can maintain their momentum will become clearer as the season moves through its challenges.
Where to Watch Playground Season 5
Playground Season 5 is streaming free on MX Player by Prime Video, with access across mobile devices, connected TVs, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video and Fire TV.
As the season unfolds, viewers can follow Ridey’s journey with the KO Krakens and see how he performs in the challenges ahead.
For Ridey, Playground Season 5 could represent an important new chapter – moving from creating content for a digital audience to competing in one of India’s most distinctive gaming-reality formats.