Stunts pe dance

After winning the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, young actor Faisal Khan is all geared up to do some stunts in Khatron Ke Khiladi

Faisal Khan has been winning hearts on TV — be it in the show Bharat Ka Veer Putra —Maharana Pratap or his stint on reality shows. Faisal recently won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and he’s already moved on to another reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi — Kabhi Peeda, Kabhi Keeda. Why this sudden shift from dance, considering he’s also won Dance India Dance Li’l Masters in the past? He says, “I’ve just turned 18 and my parents were scared about me taking up this show, since it has dangerous stunts.

I’ve done stunts in dance but these will be much more difficult, so I had to really convince them to let me do it. That took some time. I think the show will be fun because I’ve never been scared of creepy crawlies. Since I come from a humble background, while growing up my friends and I would roam in places infested with snakes, just to catch crabs. It was fun and entertaining for us, we never thought about the scary aspect so that part is something I’m already used to.”

Today Faisal looks visibly fitter than what he was during his initial Jhalak days, and the actor feels this will help him on his new show. “I thank my preparation for Khatron… started from Jhalak itself…I lost a lot of weight on that show from rehearsing for long hours, and became stronger physically and mentally. I’ve also been practicing swimming to increase my stamina for the tasks.”

Having done a daily soap too, playing the young Maharana Pratap, Faisal says that reality shows excite him more and that he is open to more such offers. “For me work is important, be it a daily soap or reality show or even movies. But yes, reality shows require more hard work. You have to practice the entire week for these shows, which air one or two episodes. In dailies you get to know the track in advance and are prepared for what is coming, so reality shows are definitely more exciting.”

Sharing his movie aspirations, the young star reveals, “Movies are definitely something I want to do in the future. It would be a dream-come-true to work with Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan. I also want to work with Priyanka Chopra.” Coming from a humble background and his father having worked as a rickshaw driver, Faisal is excited about recently buying a house in Mumbai with his own earnings and says this was one among the many dreams he has for his family.

“Buying our own house is something I dreamt of since childhood and buying it with my own earnings was a proud moment. Everything about the house, be it the décor or the colour combinations, has been planned by my family and I. We have dreamt of our house so long, so we knew exactly what we wanted. My family was always supportive of my dreams, even allowing me to attend auditions, during exams, so this was something I had to do for them.”

Coming back to his new show, Faisal who has won reality shows in the past, says he’s looking to add another feather in his cap. Being the youngest contestant on the show again (like Jhalak), when quizzed about the competition, Faisal, says, “I know Raghav Juyal, Mukti Mohan, Jay Bhanushali and Mahi didi from before. I can’t say about others but I will surely attempt all the stunts. I have been following the show since the last two seasons and have been catching episodes that I missed, on the Internet. I’m completely prepared for this new adventure.”

In between all his professional commitments, the young star adds that studies will not take a backseat for him, “I dream of continuing to be part of the entertainment industry for many years to come but I know that education is important too. It’s not going to be easy because I have interesting work coming my way but I hope to balance both.”

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