If Akshay Kumar brought adrenaline rush and daredevilry to the small screen as the host of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, he is bringing games of a different kind this time. The superstar began hosting the Indian edition of Wheel of Fortune, which premièred on January 27 on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. What made him give his nod to a show about word puzzles and prizes? Perhaps its legacy, considering the original American show has been on air since 1975? Nope, the actor pegs it down to its novelty.
“I’ve always believed in saying yes to something that feels new,” shares Kumar. “The format instantly intrigued me. What I enjoy about the game is that it keeps you guessing till the very end. At any moment, fortunes can change — you can move from a small amount to a jackpot, or lose it all if you’re not fully present,” he elaborates.
Riteish Deshmukh
Each game has three contestants and four rounds, where contestants have to complete the puzzles and spin the wheel to win money. According to Kumar, the show reflects the qualities one needs in life. “The wheel doesn’t just test your luck; it tests your awareness, thinking, and presence of mind. The idea that one wrong moment can wipe out everything you have won so far makes it real. It reflects life — fortune comes to everyone, but only those who stay alert can hold on to it. The show already has a strong global appeal, and bringing its Indian edition feels exciting.”
The host opened the show with actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh. Interestingly, during the episode, it was revealed that Kumar refers to Riteish — his frequent co-star — as Pinky Kapoor. Ask him the backstory, and he laughingly says, “Riteish and I go back a long way, years of working together. When we were talking about how big the prize money can get, Riteish joked, ‘If you give me that kind of money, I’ll even change my name’. That’s when I started calling him Pinky Kapoor, and it just stuck.”
