Needling it in

Needling it in

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KHATRON KE KHILADI: Yana Gupta piercing Pooja Bedi with the acupuncture needles

Yana Gupta may be known for her item numbers (Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo) and her link-up with Aftab Shivdasani, but not may know that she also practises acupuncture.

She has learnt this ancient healing technique that is part of traditional Chinese medicine.

This lesser-known aspect of the Czech model-actress was revealed while shooting in South Africa for the Akshay Kumar-hosted show, Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi.

Along with other female celebs, Yana is a participant of the series to be aired on the soon-to-be launched channel, Colors.

It is learnt that Yana had come armed with several needles to treat the contestants in case anyone fell sick. On landing in Johannesburg, Yana's co-contestant Pooja Bedi suffered a sore throat and slight fever. Immediately, the acupuncturist swung into action. She stuck a needle on each of Pooja's palms, between the forefinger and thumb.

Says Pooja, "We were on way to the hotel from Johannesburg airport and I was unwell.

Yana, who is a good buddy of mine, began her treatment. I thought this would be my way of preparing for Fear Factor. But I was screaming when she pierced the needles while the other girls looked horrified."

Freak case

Apparently, the needles had hit a wrong nerve. As a result, there was bleeding. "My hand turned purple and swelled up. Yana looked mortified and said it was a freak occurrence, and apologised.

My swelling got worse, the hand darkened and I couldn't even open a ketchup bottle. Fortunately, the first two days were filled with photo shoots. And it took four days for the swelling subside."

To prove her point, Yana arrived for dinner with needles stuck all over her face and head!

"Even though she looked terrifying, we burst out laughing. But Yana remains my buddy.

We even shared a room in the chalet during our stay in Johannesburg," adds Pooja