Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 22, 2020)

His movies are known for power-packed action. And so, it’s not surprising that Rohit Shetty is hosting — for the fifth time — this season of the stunt-based reality show, Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK). The filmmaker tells BT how the 10th season of the show offers wholesome entertainment to family audiences. Excerpts:

If the promos are anything to go by, this season of KKK will showcase even more daring stunts. So, how different is the show going to be, this time around?
KKK is a family show and it’s especially popular among children and teenagers. They love watching reality shows and therefore, we have doubled the action this year. We have introduced a train sequence, included lions and there will also be more stunts involving choppers. This was our first visit to Bulgaria, so we had to work hard on deciding the kind of entertainment offered in each episode. The show might be based on action and adventure, but at the end of the day, it is not just about action, it also offers wholesome entertainment. Rohit Shetty alone cannot entertain, so it was also about the contestants and the humour they showcase. The show is not scripted, everything is spontaneous and that was challenging.

Like Salman Khan is the face of Bigg Boss, you have become the face of KKK, over the years. Do you still enjoy it as much as you did in the beginning?
My enjoyment depends on what new we are offering. When we are shooting films, there are many safety measures in place, apart from CGI and special effects. We have adhered to all safety norms in the show, too, but it is tougher. In movies, the animals shown are mostly not real and the stunts can also be done by body doubles, which is definitely not the case here. So, yes, I enjoy hosting the show because it is real. Also, the USP of the show lies in its contestants, and I enjoy helping them push the envelope.

In films, you have worked with Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. On the other hand, you are working with TV stars in KKK. The mediums are also different. How would you compare both the experiences?
At the end of the day, we are all technicians and artistes — be it films or TV shows. Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn are superstars because of their body of work. Similarly, the contestants on the show also have a body of work behind them, whether it is Dharmesh Yelande, Adaa Khan or Karan Patel. I don’t see or feel any difference.

Have you ever tried doing the stunts that the contestants perform on the show?
From childhood, stunts have been a part of my life. It is something very common for me now.

As a host, what’s the level of discipline that you expect from each contestant?
Contestants need to be disciplined because this is an action-based show. However, they can’t prep because everything on this show is spontaneous. If the contestants are told about the stunts in advance, the surprise element will be lost.

Catch all the action from Darr Ki University, starting tonight every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm on Colors.