The super-success of Khatron Ke Khiladi has encouraged Colors to work with the same artists for one more non-fiction project. This time they have trusted comedian Bharti Singh and her writer husband, Haarsh Limbachiyaa, to produce a prank and stunt show called Khatra Khatra Khatra, which premieres on 11th March, and will air from Monday – Friday at 6 pm.
The lineup, besides Bharti and better half, includes Vikas Gupta, Ridhima Pandit, Aly Goni and Aditya Narayan. The only non-Khatron face is Anita Hassanandani. It was joked that Anita was also present in Argentina in the form of the snakes (Naagin).
The format is quite simple — each contestant is put in a funny situation with others, maybe one or many. The remaining artists give him lines over the earpiece, which he/she has to repeat, e.g when Vikas went to an acting school, he had to say that he struggled over 20 years before Bigg Boss came along. The entire affair is filmed secretly. The contestant who fails the prank has to do funny stunts (water falling over). Harsh had to write Vikas’ name on his arm and Bharti joked that seeing the same, she would lose the romantic spirit for her hubby.
Ridhima Pandit accepted, “While troubling others is always fun, when it comes to one’s own self, it becomes real khatra, khatra, khatra.”
Here Harsh added, “We completely psyche the next contestant; poor guy/girl does not know what fun stuff will hit him.”
When asked about the 6 pm slot, Ridhima said, “This is an experiment for even Colors, and we are hopeful that it will make this early evening slot a market leader.” Here, she also conceded that the number of episodes might not be many, when she quipped, “You will be left asking for more.”
Anita added that she has always liked to play pranks. Was it tough to enter a unit that has been together for months? “No, I know all of them very well. Vikas and Bharti are my old buddies, while I have worked with Ali in Naagin 3.”
Aditya Narayan, who was pranked when he met a girl who came for a managerial job interview, says the team made him mouth such self-digs, “that the totally stumped girl messaged her guy who was waiting below that Aditya is crazy.”
In closing, Bharti says the best part of the format is that you get paid to tell the truth. “A lot of funny truths will come your way. I also wish to thank Colors for giving us a chance to turn producers.”
She was full of praise for her young team of creative and writers who have fashioned the show. “Most of them have burnt the midnight oil and I am sure all the hard work will fructify.”
Way to go, Bharti and Haarsh!!