Khatron Ke Khiladi Torchaar

The best part of Khatron Ke Khiladi Torchaar is Akshay Kumar. After taking a detour to another channel and another show last year,Akshay is back to what he does best — host a stunt-based show. The 13 haseenas — save a few — are not very high on ‘hot’ quotient but I love their testosterone-high,hunky partners. Good looking dudes courting danger in all their macho glory is what makes this big ticket show worth a watch. They are here not to espouse any cause or charity but to become the next face of a big cola brand. Yes,the stunts have gone a couple of notches higher in terms of the ‘khatra’ quotient and with the host promising loads of torture,it’s a bumpy ride ahead for the contestants ahead.

True,three seasons down the line there is a sense of déjà vu but this is where Akshay rescues the show from slipping into monotony with his easy wit and interaction with the girls and the boys. And then of course,there are the stunts,which we are told,will soon have some wild animals starring in it too. At the time of writing,the girls were dodging around ostriches!

Two eliminations down — Sambhavna Seth and the petite Smita Bansal,the show already began on a sticky note what with Sambhavna’s partner’s no-show in the very first episode. He just didn’t perform the stunt and then during another stunt,which required only the men to do it in pairs,had two of them pushing each other all in the name of competitive spirit.

I have always loved the way Akshay motivates the participants. His encouraging,sometimes scathing,words can put any darpok to shame and make him/her attempt the stunt.

This season,while the women will walk away with prize money and the khatron ke khiladi title,the men will get to feature in a cola ad with Akshay. So,yes the stakes are high and the torture a lot tougher which raise the EQ (entertainment quotient) of the show too!

Verdict: ***

Hot men performing cool stunts — a super weekend viewing alternative.