The episode of Colors TV’s famous reality show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 15′ is embroiled in controversies. Viewers and social media users have been outraged after a stunt involving pouring hot molten wax on contestants’ hands during the elimination task was aired. The audience has termed this task, which causes physical pain, as unnecessary and inhumane.
Contestants got burnt by hot wax, Ruhanika Dhawan screamed
The recently aired elimination task included Rubina Dilaik, Ruhanika Dhawan, Harsh Gujral and Vishal Aditya Singh. These four players were given the ‘Fear Trap’ and were competing to avoid elimination. According to the rules, to protect themselves, contestants had to endure hot wax on their hands continuously for 10 minutes.
Unable to bear the pain during the task, Ruhanika Dhawan screamed and left the task midway. Rubina Dilaik also complained of severe burning sensation. However, Harsh Gujral endured the pain and won the task and was saved from elimination.
Anger erupted on social media over ‘pain auction’
“To cause physical pain to someone is not to overcome one’s fear. Making a spectacle of human pain for TRP on TV is extremely cheap and cruel. Stunts should be such that they test one’s courage and not harm the body.”
— Social media user (comment issued on X platform)
It is worth noting that last week too, under the ‘Pain Auction’ stunt, rubber bullets and pellet guns were used on naked contestants in the show, due to which many players were injured. Questions are being raised on the formats of JioHotstar and Colors TV after tasks that cause physical harm are shown for the second consecutive week.
Audience attitude and broadcast controversy
The audience has demanded intervention from the Broadcasting Authority regarding this show, which airs on Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm on Colors TV. A campaign to boycott the show is being run on social media. Entertainment industry analysts believe that compromising on safety protocols and ethical standards in the race for TRP can create legal or regulatory troubles for the makers in the coming days.