Meet the contestants of India's favourite action-packed reality show 'Khatron Ke Khiladi'

Mumbai: The show that redefined action and adventure on the small screen in India – Khatron Ke Khiladi – Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns - is back with a bang! After showcasing some of the most awe inspiring and fear inducing stunts ever seen on television, the show returns for an all new season with a sizzling mix of glamorous celebrities ready to slum it out to win over their fears, nerve wracking challenges and death defying stunts designed by master stunt architect – Rohit Shetty. Rohit Shetty, who joined the Khatron Ke Khiladi family last season, is back again for yet another adrenalin fuelled extravaganza that’s ready to unfold in the breathtaking locales of Cape Town in South Africa.

In its sixth season, the show is only getting grittier, fiercer and ultra-glamorous with contestants from the world of television, films and sports. This season, we will see popular names such asSagarika Ghatge from the super hit film Chak De! India going head to head with her fears. Joining her is desh-ki-bahu Uttaran’s leading lady Rashmi Desai who has previously proven her dancing chops on the stage of Jalak Dikhla Jaa. Bollywood and television star Ashish Chaudhry will showcase his daredevilry alongside another television heartthrob – Iqbal Khan. Cuties Hussain Kuwajerwala and Meiyang Chang will also be seen flexing their muscles to overcome hurdles on the show. Kabbaddi star Rakesh Kumar is already prepping for all the stunts that he will have to perform on the show, and so are Bigg Boss controversy queen Sana Khan and ex-contestant Siddharth Bhardwaj. Bringing in some oomph to the show will be Vj turned anchor Archana Vijaya, gorgeous telly divas Riddhi Dogra and Asha Negi and hot siren and item firl Nathalia Kaur. These four damsels are already working on strategies to avoid distress on the show as they get ready to take on the crazy killer stunts!

Here's what they have to say before the shows big TV premiere.

Sana Khan

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Sana Khan(SK): Colors brings me to Fear Factor, ha ha. No seriously, the format fascinated me. I’ve come into this to overcome my fears. Kuch naya honi chahiye na zindagi mein? When I look back on my life I don’t want to feel I’ve missed out on anything...Not that there is any dearth of adventure and excitement in my life(laughs heartily). I was offered Fear Factor last year. But I wasn’t able to make up my mind then. Then this year again they approached me. I told them to let me think it over for a month. They gave a little counselling and motivation, convinced me I can do it. Mujhe laga main kar sakti hoon. All safety measures are there. Rohit Shetty is there. And if you look at the other seasons nothing has ever gone wrong. So far (laughs heartily).

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

SK: Of course the stunts scare me. I don’t jump into the water and play with crocodiles when I want to have fun. Mujhe toh crocodile cage he andar dekh har darr lagta hai. Now of course putting live creatures in the contestants’ mouths has stopped. So luckily I don’t have to eat anything strange. Phir bhi weird-weird cheezein karte hain. Mere zindagi mein toh bahot saarey weird cheezein hoti haain(a lot of weird things happen in my life). So this is nothing. It will be fun. I’ve always lived on the edge.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

SK : I am definitely not in this to get away from my recent troubles. I am doing this because it’s a good job-opportunity. I am not running away from anything. I am a fighter. I will confront my problems. If I am in the right no one can shake me. As for winning, of course! Every contestant wants to win. I am also hoping to win. But I don’t want to constantly keep thinking of winning. Mujhe uss pressure ke saath nahin rehna hai. Then I won’t be able to perform the stunts to the best of my abilities.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

SK: I am very anxious. I’ve never done anything like this. It’s important to prove to yourself and to the world that you can go beyond expectations. My work is my only interest and focus. I don’t have time for anything else.

Nathalia kaur

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Nathalia Kaur(NK): I was invited to be part of the show. And I am really glad. It’s something I really wanted to be part of. As for not being able to communicate, that is not a problem at all. I can communicate in Hindi. I can’t speak the language like an Indian. But I can manage.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

NK: It doesn’t scare me. I’m very excited about being able to do those stunts; I really want to test my limits. I want to overcome my fears. I want to see how far I can push myself. At the same time I want to have fun. Once I reach South Africa we’ll know how it really goes.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

NK: Oh, I am in this to win....of course! I am very competitive. At the same time the whole process of participating and meeting new people is very exciting. Of course the journey is also important. But I am not here to just travel. I am here to win.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

NK: I am anxious, very anxious and nervous. I may not come across so, but I am very shy. Being on camera gives me the chance to do the things that I may not attempt otherwise. I remember initially I used to freeze in front of the camera. I had to keep telling myself I could do it. I guess I’ll have to motivate myself the same way for Fear Factor.

Asha Negi

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Asha Negi(AN): Till now I’ve been known as a cute bubbly little girl. Now the tomboy is going to surface.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

AN: All those creepy crawlies, plunging into the water, flying in the sky...yes it’s scary. But isn’t that what the show is all about?

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

AN: I definitely want to win. But if I can’t win I at least want to go up the finale. Like I told you, I want to leave the bubbly girl behind on this show.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

AN: I am nervous anxious and excited .This is something I’ve never experienced before. Luckily I’ve friends who are going in with me like Ridhi Dogra and Rashmi Desai. So I won’t be alone.

Meiyang Chang

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Meiyang Chang (MC): It is something engaging and adventurous. That’s always been my game-plan in life. I’ve always tried to surprise myself throughout my career. This show requires tremendous mental and physical application. I want to see how much I can push myself. Let’s see how it goes. I don’t know how prepared I am. The kind of will-power and physical stamina required may not be part of my personality.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

MC: It doesn’t scare me, though I must admit trying such stunts is not part of my nature. I do stupid things sometimes, but nothing like this. I am very laidback type of person. So I am challenging my own self imposed restrictions on myself in Fear Factor. It won’t be easy. But let’s see.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

MC: I don’t want to run that far ahead. I’ve never thought of the win in any of my earlier reality shows. I know some contestants will say they are in this to win. I can’t be that aggressive. I’d be happy to enjoy the experience. Main jaanta hoon competition hai. But I can’t go hammer and tongs at it.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?
MC: I am really looking forward to it. I need to discover what my greatest fear is. It isn’t heights, depths or snakes. I am waiting to know what I fear the most. South Africa is going to be like a holiday. The weather will be great. We’ll all be friends and there will be healthy competition. So I’m looking forward to it. I hope I don’t come back bitching.

Hussain Kuwajerwala

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Hussain Kuwajerwala(HK): That’s a question I’ve been asking myself. When I see those stunts that I’m supposed to perform I wonder what brings me here! To be honest, I had no reason to say no this time. I haven’t done a show of this kind before. I’ve never interacted with insects, never played around with fire and water before.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

HK: The stunts are scary. These aren’t action scenes that you do in your everyday life even if you are the adventurous sort. I have done adventure sports for the love of it. But now on Fear Factor I’ve no choice. One has to do it. And you never know how the stunts will turn out when you perform them. It isn’t about physical strength it’s also about psychological application. If your mind gives up, you give up.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

HK: I am in this only for the experience of it. Winning is just by-product. I’d be happy if I am able to perform my tasks properly. Doing my tasks is all that I can do. I’ve no control over anything else. I’ve worked on my body. But there might be stunts where my physical fitness is of no relevance. You really don’t know which way the win will blow on this show.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

HK: I am confident. I have no fear of the tasks that await me on Fear Factor. I know it’s not like anything I’ve done before. It does like jumping from the 50th floor.You never know where you will land. I just hope they send me back in one piece(laughs). But I’ve no fear of the unknown. The only thing I fear in life is losing my loved ones.

Rashmi Desai

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Rashmi Desai(RD): Yes it is an unusual place for me to be in. I’ve mostly danced on reality-shows besides being on the soaps. I’ve never done anything like this. I am on Fear Factor because I want to enjoy myself. It’s more about challenging myself to cross my own boundaries .So I’m more bothered with how I’m going to perform rather than how others are going to perform.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

Rashmi Desai: More than me I think it’s the audiences who are going to be scared to see me these stunts. But I’ll be fine, Last year I saw some of Khatron Ke Khiladi and it was really scary. The stunts were definitely something normal people can’t do. All safety measures are taken. But finally it’s just me doing those stunts. And it’s to be done within a time limit. You either get it right. Or you’re gone.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

Rashmi Desai: I’d love to win. All said and done this is just a competitive medium.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

Rashmi Desai: Before doing anything, even crossing the road, I get very anxious. I am hoping things will go smoothly on the show. Fingers crossed.

Iqbal Khan

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Iqbal Khan(IQ): I am on this show and no other reality show because it’s non-controversial. The results are based purely on your performance and not on how much drama you can generate.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

IQ: I am very excited about the stunts. I don’t have any fear of anything. I love adventure sports. So I am no stranger to these kinds of activities. No, fear is not an issue for me.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

IQ: I’ll definitely give this my best shot. As I do in everything in life. The rest I leave to Allah. But I guess I’d disappointed if I didn’t win.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

IQ: I am going with an open mind. I am ready for any eventuality.

Ridhi Dogra

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Ridhi Dogra(RD)—I’ve always played it safe all my life. I’ve stayed away from anything that is even remotely risky. I guess it’s Murphy’s Law. The offer to be on Fear Factor came to my husband Raqesh Vashisth and me. He couldn’t do it because of prior commitments. So I decided to do it alone. I had a meeting with Colors team. They suggested I see all the episodes of the last season.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

Ridhi Dogra: Of course it’s unnerving. I am anxious. It’s a challenge. We’ve got one life. So why not?

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

Ridhi Dogra: I am definitely looking at winning. The challenges are meaningless unless I overcome them. I just have to be confident

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

Ridhi Dogra: I am very excited. All my life I’ve played it safe. I couldn’t even bring myself to play squash because I was afraid the ball would hit me in a closed room. This is like an out-of-body experience.

Ashish Choudhary

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Ashish Choudhary(AC): You mean, besides the money and exposure? (laughs). I just wanted to do one reality show. I’ve done so many things over the years but not a reality show. I actually asked my fans on twitter and facebook, and they all felt I should do an adventure reality-show. I also feel it’s a classy act. So here I am. I need a break People say Khatron Ke Khiladi will hardly be a break. I say, if I could take the biggest risk any man can dare—marriage—Khatron Ka Khiladi is baayen haath ka khel for me.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

AC: Not scared at all! I’ve always wanted to do sky-diving, bungee jumping. My life has been very hectic. I never got chance to do this. I am a father of 5 children and I need to get away at least once.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

AC: I know everyone will say he or she is here for the experience. But I say I am genuinely in this to win. Luck will play a big hand. I don’t know how the creepy crawlies would react to me.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

AC: I am relaxed. I see Fear Factor as a break before I take up another show. I want to make the most of it. I’d just like to give my best shot to this, work-out, maybe party a bit in South Africa. There are some friends here with me I hope to have a good time with them.

Sagarika Ghatge

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Sagarika Ghatge(SG): I don’t know why I am doing this. I just wanted to do something different, something I haven’t done before. I’ve been a lot into sports, and then there was the film Chak De. Audiences may have high expectations from me because of my sporty background. And that may not be a very good thing for me.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

SG: I really don’t know what I’ll be doing on the show. But I’ve always led a very sheltered life. This show would give me a chance to open up. I always wanted to do these things but never got a chance before this. So yes, I am looking forward to it.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

SG: I hope I am able to go up to a level where I deserve to go. But there are so many variables to it. Let’s see how it goes.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

SG: I don’t know any of the other contestants. So I’ll be meeting a lot of new people. There is a lot of excitement. I am determined to attempt all the stunts. But I really don’t know what will happen.

Siddharth Bhardwaj

What brings you to Fear Factor?

Siddharth Bhardwaj(SB): Firstly the title of the show Fear Factor attracted me to the show. Secondly I want to explore what are my fears. During the day-to-day living we don’t really get to know our fears. On this show I can identify my fears and see if I am tough enough to overcome them.

Does the thought of all the daredevilry that lies ahead scare you?

SB: When you are watching the show you feel, ‘Main hota toh kar leta’. During the last 5 seasons I have been thinking I can do those stunts. Now it’s time for me to see if I can really do them. Ab dekhn hai mujh mein kitna dum hai.

Are you in this for the journey or the victory?

SB: Oh, I am in this to win, whatever I do to I do to win. The journey becomes much more beautiful when your destination is decided.

Your thoughts as you enter Fear Factor?

SB: I am confident but nervous. I’ll give it my best shot.