The 15th season of Rohit Shetty’s hit stunt-based reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, premiered on August 1, 2026, with high-octane thrills, but it didn’t take long for off-screen controversy to erupt.
Following the premiere weekend, a video shared by contestant and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna went viral on social media. The clip showed severe red marks, welts, and deep bruises across his back—sustained during a brutal endurance challenge involving rubber bullets.
As fans expressed outrage on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), questioning whether the show was pushing television stars into unnecessarily dangerous situations, Deepak Dhar, CEO of Banijay Asia (the production company behind the show), stepped forward to defend the franchise’s safety protocols.
Here is a complete breakdown of the stunt that sparked the controversy, Gaurav’s viral video, and the makers’ official response regarding contestant safety!
The Stunt That Sparked Internet Outrage
During the premiere episode, four contestants—Gaurav Khanna, Vishal Aditya Singh, Shagun Sharma, and Karan Wahi—were tasked with an intense endurance challenge. The stunt required the participants to hold their positions while enduring repeated high-speed impacts from rubber bullets fired at their backs.
The physical toll of the task became immediately obvious on screen. Actress Shagun Sharma broke down in tears and was forced to abort the task, followed shortly by Gaurav Khanna, who also succumbed to the intense physical pain.
On August 2, Gaurav posted a behind-the-scenes video on his Instagram Story—originally captured by co-contestant Orry—showing the painful aftermath on his skin.
“I cud still feel this pain watching it on tv. Most painful experience ever. All 4 of us went through this guys… still hav these marks,” Gaurav captioned the video.
The alarming visuals spread rapidly across pop-culture forums, with viewers accusing the makers of designing “torture tasks” rather than skill-based stunts.
“It’s Called Fear Factor for a Reason”: Maker Responds
In an exclusive interview addressing the growing backlash, Deepak Dhar, CEO of Banijay Asia, firmly shut down claims that the show was being reckless with its contestants’ well-being.
Defending the design of the tasks, Dhar clarified that while the show thrives on pushing limits, stringent international safety standards are rigorously maintained.
“Well, there is an element of fear. It’s called Fear Factor for a reason. But this is a show that is in its 15th or 16th season now… We do this in an international location where all the checks and balances, safety procedures and protocols are followed to the absolute maximum,” Dhar stated.
He further emphasized, “It is not at all brutal,” maintaining that every stunt undergoes multiple test runs by trained professionals before celebrities are allowed to perform them.
Bounce-Back: Gaurav Wins “Best Stunt” of Week 1
Despite the severe bruising and public concern, Gaurav Khanna demonstrated true grit on set. Immediately following the painful endurance challenge, the actor bounced back to perform a secondary aerial task, earning high praise from host Rohit Shetty and clinching the title of “Best Stunt of the Week” for the opening lineup.
With Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 now streaming weekly on Colors TV and JioCinema, the balance between high-stakes television entertainment and contestant safety remains one of the most talked-about topics of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happened to Gaurav Khanna on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15?
Gaurav Khanna suffered severe back bruises and welts during an endurance stunt involving high-speed rubber bullet impacts on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. He shared a video of his injury on Instagram, which quickly went viral.
2. How did the producers of Khatron Ke Khiladi respond to the injury controversy?
Deepak Dhar, CEO of Banijay Asia, stated that the show is “not at all brutal” and highlighted that international safety protocols, checks, and balances are strictly followed for every stunt.
3. Did Gaurav Khanna quit Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 after his injury?
No, Gaurav did not quit the show. He went on to perform the next stunt right after the injury and was awarded “Best Stunt” of the first week by host Rohit Shetty on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15.
4. Where can I watch Khatron Ke Khiladi 15?
Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 airs every weekend on Colors TV and is available for digital streaming on JioCinema (JioHotstar).
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