“This show has always been on my wish list,” says Avinash Mishra on COLORS’ ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’

COLORS’ ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ returns with its most fearful era yet- ‘Darr Ka Naya Daur’ packed with bigger stunts, tougher challenges, and unexpected twists. Led by Action king Rohit Shetty against the stunning yet demanding backdrop of Cape Town, the show will put 13 contestants through situations that test not just physical endurance but also mental strength and composure. Making his Khatron Ke Khiladi debut this season is Avinash Mishra, who opens up about ticking off a long-standing wish, stepping into a reality show unlike any he’s done before, and why this journey is all about facing fear with calmness.

1. You’re entering Khatron Ke Khiladi in its 15th season. What made you say yes to the show?
A. This show has always been on my wish list because I’d watched the show for years and loved what it stood for. After doing a reality show like Bigg Boss, I wanted to challenge myself in a completely different environment. Bigg Boss was a captive setup, but Khatron Ke Khiladi was about willpower, dedication, passion, and the ability to perform under pressure. That difference excited me the most. When the offer came, saying yes was easy because this was a challenge I’d genuinely wanted to take for a long time.

2. What did Darr Ka Naya Daur mean to you?
A. For me, Darr Ka Naya Daur was about discovering a new version of myself. Every stunt was unpredictable, and no amount of preparation could fully prepare you for what happened on that set. The season constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone, and that’s what made it exciting. I wanted to trust myself, stay focused, and give every stunt my absolute best.

3. What was the toughest part of preparing for and surviving the shoot?
A. The toughest part wasn’t just fitness; it was maintaining the same energy level every single day. People watched the show only on weekends, but we shot continuously for nearly 40–45 days. We woke up at five or six every morning and headed straight to the stunt locations. Many times, we couldn’t even eat properly because we never knew whether we’d be hanging upside down or doing a physically demanding stunt next. The real challenge was making sure that even if one day completely exhausted you, you still woke up the next morning with the same energy and focus. Maintaining that routine was honestly the hardest part.

4. What’s the one fear from your real life that you think this show challenged the most?
A. I think the biggest fear was not knowing how I’d react when pushed to my absolute limit. Before the shoot, I used to think I was mentally prepared, but once I got there, I realised that nothing on this show felt normal. The real challenge wasn’t the presence of fear; everyone felt fear. The challenge was whether you could stay calm and perform despite it, and that was the biggest test for me.

5. You’re competing alongside seasoned contestants and returning khiladis. Did that add pressure?
A. Honestly, I don’t think anyone had a real advantage on a show like Khatron Ke Khiladi. Every stunt was different, every situation was unpredictable, and everyone reacted differently under pressure. This wasn’t a competition you could win just because you were physically stronger. It demanded willpower, determination, dedication, and mental strength. One stunt could change the entire game. And every contestant surprised me.

6. How important was Rohit Shetty’s guidance during the journey?
A. Rohit sir was one of the biggest reasons this show felt so special. He knew exactly when to motivate you, when to calm you down, and when to push you beyond what you thought you could do. Just having him around gave contestants confidence. Whenever I felt nervous, his presence itself was reassuring, and I genuinely felt inspired watching the way he handled every situation.

7. We saw a lot of fun reels and behind-the-scenes moments with the contestants. How special was the bonding this season?
A. That’s honestly one of my favourite memories from the show. People often said bonds on reality shows didn’t last, but this experience felt very different. I genuinely connected with every contestant. Our boys’ gang – Karan bhai, Rithvik and I became especially close because we even shared the same vanity. Harsh and Vishal were equally entertaining, and we had countless fun moments that I probably can’t even talk about on camera! Even today, we’re all connected through our WhatsApp group, constantly messaging each other, sharing updates, and staying in touch.

8. We’ve heard you and the boys even became gym buddies during the shoot. What was that like?
A. The gym became our second bonding spot. On the very first day we landed, before doing anything else, we started searching for a gym. All of us took one-month memberships immediately and joked that it didn’t matter who got eliminated, we’d paid for the full month, so we’d definitely use it. Working out together became another reason for us to spend time together and build a stronger friendship.

9. After performing such intense stunts, how did you unwind with the other contestants?
A. Karan and I would sit together after almost every stunt and analyse everything. We’d discuss what we could have done differently, how the stunt could have been approached another way, why someone took a particular decision, and what worked or didn’t work. We used to break down every stunt in detail, and honestly, those conversations became one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire experience.

10. Lastly, what would you like to say to the audience cheering for you this season?
A. Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve given me over the years. It’s because of that support that I got opportunities like this, and I’m truly grateful. I went into Khatron Ke Khiladi with the intention of giving my hundred percent in every single stunt. I wanted to experience everything – water, heights, creepy crawlies, fire, electric shocks and push my limits as much as I could. I hope the audience enjoyed this journey as much as we enjoyed creating it, and I hope I made everyone proud. Thank you for all your love.

Maruti Suzuki presents ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, co-powered by Hero Xtreme, Thums Up and JK Super Cement, Special Partners – Jeena Sikho Ayurveda, Nirma Advance, Onn Premium Wear, Nivea Rollon and Berger Paints, Outdoor Gear Partner- Woodland, Hunger Partner – Snickers, Food Partner – Silver Coin Chakki Fresh Atta and Associate Sponsor – Parle Monaco, airing every Saturday -Sunday at 9:00 pm only on COLORS & JioHotstar.