It’s celebration time now: Rajneesh Dugga on winning 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' season 5

Mumbai: With the prize money of Rs 25 lakh and a Mahindra Scorpio vehicle, actor and model, Rajneesh Duggal is on top of the world. The ordeal was well worth it — the reality show Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi pushes the contestants to another level altogether. Talking about why he agreed to jump on the KKK bandwagon, Rajneesh says, “I was a bit hesitant initially because I am not very insect or animal friendly. I cannot stand the sight of a cockroach or a lizard. In the earlier seasons, the contestants were made to gulp down these insects. When the Colors team approached me for the show, I first asked if one would have us eat insects! I agreed to do it only after they said ‘No’.”

“I always seek the opinion of director Vikram Bhatt about whether I should do certain films or not. In the case of KKK too, I asked him. I was to do a few films, but since the dates as well as the characters of the films did not seem to suit to me, he told me to take up KKK. He is my mentor, friend and a driving force.” Talking of the frightening stunts in KKK, he says, “Except for lizards and certain other insects and animals, I am okay with doing stunts. I am capable of performing all the stunts ably because of my fit body. I do not have a weak heart and I can take any risk.”

Revealing the secret of his physical stamina, he adds, “I studied at the Don Bosco School in Delhi, where sports was given a lot of importance. I have been an athlete and have represented my school at the state level. I had qualified in 100 metre run in 10.3 seconds. Being a sportsman, I enjoy performing stunts.” Talking about his daughter Teeyaa, whom he dotes on, he says, “My daughter is very fond of crocodiles, leopards... From the time she was born, I noticed her fascination for animals.”

Rajneesh says his daughter wanted to see him win. “It’s celebration time now. The moment I landed in Mumbai, I felt so happy to have reached home. My daughter has been waiting for me.” About the prize money, he says, “I have got a car key at the moment, which is a big cardboard key of a Mahindra Scorpio. When I presented the cardboard key to my daughter, she asked, ‘Do we need such a big key to open the car?’ Rajneesh plans to hand over the prize money of '25 lakh to his better half Pallavi. “Let’s see what she decides to do with the money. Pehle paise haath mein toh aane do.”