Amid chatter that Wheel Of Fortune India has been renewed for a second season, host Akshay Kumar recently shot for the grand finale. For the superstar, the episode brought both — the hope of meeting the audience again for a new season, and a sense of nostalgia as he walked down memory lane with Farah Khan, Bhumi Pednekkar, and Jacqueline Fernandez.

A source told mid-day that the channel is keen to continue with the actor, given his high audience engagement. The source shared, “The decision to move ahead with the next season has been influenced by contestants, who love the laughter and nostalgia that Akshay evokes.”

The final episode is a perfect example of that. Apparently, Kumar shared a warm anecdote about Farah and her brother Sajid Khan’s childhood that left the audience in splits. He revealed that the siblings would often go to the theatre to watch movies, with their mother Menaka Irani preparing sandwiches for their outings.

Kumar shared, “Farah would beat her brother during the interval, and you’ll be shocked to hear why. [It’s because] he would eat up the onions, tomatoes, eggs, and potatoes in the sandwiches, leaving just the bread for her! Does anybody beat up their brother for this?”

When Akshay Kumar and Rajpal Yadav first shared screen space in David Dhawan’s Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2003), little did they know that they would go on to work together in many popular comedies. The upcoming episode of Wheel Of Fortune India, which is hosted by Kumar, served as a platform for the duo to reminisce about their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship.

On February 27, the superstar shot the episode with his Bhooth Bangla producer Ektaa R Kapoor, co-actors Yadav and Wamiqa Gabbi. According to sources, Kumar introduced Yadav as the undisputed comedy king of the Hindi film industry.

A source revealed, “Akshay delivered a touching tribute to his co-star. On the show, he attributed his comic timing to Rajpal. Akshay told the audience, ‘Sach bolu toh, inki badolat se meri comedy chalti hai’.”

Yadav returned the compliment by admiring the superstar’s love for fitness as he said, “I’ve known him for so many years. Inki fitness kamaal ki hai, aur khaane mein bhi inka bohot achchha control hai.”

If Akshay Kumar brought adrenaline rush and daredevilry to the small screen as the host of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, he is bringing games of a different kind this time. The superstar began hosting the Indian edition of Wheel Of Fortune, which premièred on January 27 on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. What made him give his nod to a show about word puzzles and prizes? Perhaps its legacy, considering the original American show has been on air since 1975? Nope, the actor pegs it down to its novelty.

“I’ve always believed in saying yes to something that feels new,” shares Kumar. “The format instantly intrigued me. What I enjoy about the game is that it keeps you guessing till the very end. At any moment, fortunes can change — you can move from a small amount to a jackpot, or lose it all if you’re not fully present,” he elaborates.

Each game has three contestants and four rounds, where contestants have to complete the puzzles and spin the wheel to win money. According to Kumar, the show reflects the qualities one needs in life. 

“The wheel doesn’t just test your luck; it tests your awareness, thinking, and presence of mind. The idea that one wrong moment can wipe out everything you have won so far makes it real. It reflects life — fortune comes to everyone, but only those who stay alert can hold on to it. The show already has a strong global appeal, and bringing its Indian edition feels exciting.”

The host opened the show with actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh. Interestingly, during the episode, it was revealed that Kumar refers to Riteish — his frequent co-star — as Pinky Kapoor.

Ask him the backstory, and he laughingly says, “Riteish and I go back a long way, years of working together. When we were talking about how big the prize money can get, Riteish joked, ‘If you give me that kind of money, I’ll even change my name’. That’s when I started calling him Pinky Kapoor, and it just stuck.”