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Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 promises to be far more engaging and exciting this season. With contestants like Arjun Bijlani, Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, Shweta Tiwari, Rahul Vaidya, Abhinav Shukla, among others, the Rohit Shetty hosted reality show is in to make the audience experience a rollarcoaster ride from home. Shot in Cape Town over 45 days, Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 premieres from July 17. In an candid and exclusive chat, Rahul Vaidya tells us how this experience was different from Bigg Boss 14. He also shared about his bond with Abhinav Shukla, who were considered arch-rivals in Bigg Boss. Rahul also opened up on connecting with Disha Parmar while away and being homesick. Over to Rahul.
After Bigg Boss, you dived into another adventure reality show. How has the experience been shooting for it so far?
The experience was very hectic. It was a very tough show, it can be physically exhausting. You have to perform stunts in the most adverse and extreme conditions. It is extremely cold, it is a very difficult show. It is the most severe but once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Looks like Abhinav and you have been bonding on sets. Arjun once even shared a video of the same. Can we say that there is a friendship brewing there?
Yes, I can for sure tell you that ‘from nothing our bond has grown to something’. We were cordial to each other and at times, shared a joke or two. The nature of the show is different, it is not Bigg Boss and BB does that to you. We did not have any issue between us and this show definitely broke the ice for both of us.
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The biggest fear you had to confront while doing the show?
My biggest fear was snakes. I had a phobia and hydrophobia and did stunts with both of them. It was great to confront both my fears.
Your fans recently sent you cakes in Cape Town. This overwhelming love…. does it ever feel surreal?
It’s always the most special feeling to be sent anything by my fans. You know the best thing that I have achieved which is strikingly different from others is that my fans are loyal to me and their aim is only to love me. A lot of times when anything erupts against me, they defend me, they guard me. I just feel speechless with the love being showered on me every day, every moment.
Have you made any new bonds whilst shooting with other contestants?
I have actually not one specific bond, connected with everyone on the show, not closely but on a comfortable level. Yes, a couple of them got evicted a little early so couldn’t bond with them so much but it was a thrilling experience. It was great to go on the bus together and come back tired. A lot of times, we would sing and dance on the bus. For the first time, I had such an experience. It felt like teamwork, honestly.
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It seems you have been missing Disha a lot as well. Do you discuss stunts or strategy,if any, with her before shoots? How is she motivating you?
Of course, I missed Disha a lot when we were in South Africa but I did not discuss the game or strategy with her. I barely got to speak to Disha also because by the time I would come to hotel, I was so tired that I would be half-asleep during video calls, and then there was bad network because we were shooting in far off areas but she did miss me and was excited to listen to me speaking about the stunts.
Staying away from home can be daunting especially when you already were away for a few months because of BB. How are you keeping yourself cheered up?
I have really homesick because Bigg Boss happened for 5 months and immediately after one and a half months, we left for Cape Town. Both the shows were extremely severe, physically and mentally. After coming back also, touchwood there is so much work. I just want a holiday for one week, where I do nothing, lie down and check into a resort and just relax. It has been a little taxing for me.
Rohit Shetty has always been a mentor to contestants. How and where did he guide you during the process of the show? What did you learn from him?
I can go on and on about what Rohit Shetty sir is to the contestants of the show. He was like god to us during the entire time.
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