Choosing the participants for Khatron Ke Khiladi is tough job: Raj Nayak

Action-packed reality show, ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’, is all set to return on Colors for another edition. Produced by Endemol Shine India, the show this year will sport the theme of ‘Pain in Spain’ and will be shot in different locales in Spain. Rohit Shetty makes a comeback after a year to host the upcoming season. 

Speaking about the newest edition of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, Raj Nayak, the newly promoted COO of Viacom18, said, “We are happy to have Rohit Shetty back on the show. Both the seasons that he hosted earlier yielded rich dividends for the show. This time, with an exotic destination like Spain and carefully handpicked contestants, we are sure the show will become a blockbuster.” 

The 12 khiladis for this edition of the show include wrestler Geeta Phogat, Bigg Boss’s common man champion Manveer Gurjar, Shibani Dandekar, Lopamudra Raut, Monica Dogra, Nia Sharma, Ravi Dubey, Karan Wahi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Hina Khan, Shiny Doshi, and hip-hop king Shantanu Maheshwari. 

Manisha Sharma, Programming Head, Colors, remarked, “We have been taking the show to lots of exotic locations, Spain being the latest one. The line-up this year is very promising and the fact that we must take the show to its next level is very challenging. With Rohit Shetty back in the mix this year, we have tried to custom-make stunts going by the playout of the previous seasons. Pain in Spain is going to be fun. Rohit, too, has his own ideas of frying this new bunch of contestants! The season is truly going to be Darr Ki Nayi Definition. The viewers will have a blast watching the Dangal girl - Geeta Phogat fight in a new battleground, daily soap bahu - Hina Khan test new waters out of her comfort zone, and have other television heartthrobs, Bigg Boss winners, singers and anchors prove their mettle against fear.” 

Speaking about his return, Rohit Shetty said, “Muchas gracias, Colors for having me back on ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’. Spain has some amazing locations that can truly test the daredevilry of the khiladis. With Colors and Endemol, together, I’m hoping we create another blockbuster experience for all. Colors has picked up some excellent contestants this season and like the viewers, I’m looking forward to know them and test their fear quotient.” 

Commenting on the all-new season, Deepak Dhar, Managing Director & CEO, Endemol Shine India, said, “With ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, Endemol Shine India continues to push the threshold of action, drama, and entertainment, on a grander scale with every passing year. Our constant endeavour is to redefine the notion of fear while creating a wholesome entertainment experience. This year, Spain will form the perfect setting for the stunts that we have planned. It’s going to be a fear-filled ride; ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ will explore uncharted avenues of ‘Darr’ this season.” 

Speaking to Adgully, Raj Nayak shared more details on the show, the journey over the eight years, on choice of Spain as the destination for the show this season, on Rohit Shetty as the show’s host and much more. Excerpts: 

How has the 8-year journey of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ been?
The journey has been fantastic. The show the done tremendously well for us over these eight years. The audience has loved each and every season of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, but what we have observed is that the seasons which were hosted by Rohit Shetty were the most popular amongst the audience. ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ has always been shot in amazing locations in all seasons, be it South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and this year we are going to Spain. The show’s theme this year is ‘Pain in Spain’. 

We decided to shoot in Spain mainly because of safety reasons. India has less infrastructure in terms of safety measures, moreover there are other infrastructure constraints that one has to take into account since this is a stunt/dare reality show. Spain is a beautiful country and the wildlife and animals can be brought on the show, whereas India has a lot of restrictions and license issues for the same. Also, adding a new destination brings a new and exotic touch to the show. 

How many episodes will this season have?
This season we are looking at airing 20 episodes, which will be aired on a weekly basis. 

On Rohit Shetty as the show’s host?
The most difficult thing for a show like ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ is to get on board a host and the participants. ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ with Rohit Shetty has always been the most loved and has worked out the most for us. Arjun Kapoor did an amazing job last year as well, so there is no comparison there. Another reason for getting Rohit on board is because he is known for stunts and his awesome action movies. Rohit could not make it last year for the show because he was busy shooting for his film ‘Dilwale’. 

Do you plan to open the door for common people in this edition of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, as you had done in ‘Bigg Boss 10’?
I don’t think ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ will work if we have common people on the show; it would be kind of an experiment if we did try doing that. The essence of this show is that the participants have to be celebrities, near celebrities or known faces. We have Manveer as a participant, who is a known celebrity from ‘Bigg Boss Season 10’. What really excites the audience is watching new contestants more than having new stunts. Even if the stunts are not new, the audience likes to see how new participants in the show react to those stunts. Choosing the participants for this show is a very tough job.