Akshay Kumar plays a 'Perfect Host'

Akshay Kumar plays a 'Perfect Host'

Akshay Kumar's the perfect host for Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi. And he proved that in Bangkok a few days ago, when Viacom18 revealed its upcoming Hindi General Entertainment Channel. The channel to be launched in July is called COLORS and Akshay's show, planned across 16 episodes, is one of its initial flagship shows, the other being Mohe Rang De, a period drama set in the backdrop of 1942's Quit India Movement.

At the Bangkok event, when Akshay was asked what 'fear' meant to him he came down from the stage and shocked everyone by pulling out a python from underneath one of the tables and wrapping it around his neck. "You have to stand up to your fears," he declared. And what did he fear most? "I fear investing money, I fear animals. But I like to deal with my fears," said the actor, who's known for doing his stunts in films himself.

The term 'daredevil' has become synonymous with Akshay (we aren't just talking about the IPL team). Even at the Bangkok event Akshay made a grand entry on a bike smashing glass and getting on to the stage. But how does his family, especially wife Twinkle, react to the risks he takes? "She has given up," laughed Mr Khiladi.

Action has always been close to Akshay's heart, but he'd rather not be branded just as an action hero. "I have done everything from action to comedy, haven't I?" he pointed out. Yes, he's getting back to doing action films, but there's a cute reason for that: "My son Aarav's been asking for that, so I'm doing some action films now. Aarav also inspired me to take up Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi."

Joining the macho hero on this TV show are 13 hot women from the entertainment world, who will compete with each other. It will be shot over a month in South Africa. "I have always believed that women are stronger than men. Men, who still believe that they are superior and stronger than women, are no better than pigs. Through this show, I'm out to prove these men wrong and establish the fact that women are not only emotionally stronger than men, but can also outdo them in physical strength," challenged Akshay.

Rajesh Kamat, Chief Executive Officer, COLORS, added, "Keeping in line with our strategy to be differentiated and disruptive, Khatron Ke Khiladi will bring to Indian viewers a scale that has not been seen on the small screen so far. Apart from that, our channel has got a strong line-up of shows that are not only universal in appeal but also extend across genres, thus offering an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers."