Exclusive - Khatron Ke Khiladi 11's Divyanka Tripathi: Now, I want to do my own stunts in my projects; don't want to use body double

Divyanka Tripathi, who has been one of the leading faces of the Indian television industry and has entertained the viewers as their favourite bahu, will now be seen trying her hands at doing stunts. The actress recently returned to India after performing some daredevil stunts in Cape Town, for her upcoming show, Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. Divyanka is hailed by all the contestants and host Rohit Shetty for outperforming in most of her stunts. Divyanka recently spoke to ETimes TV exclusively and shared her experience on KKK11, her husband Vivek Dahiya being her constant support and working with host Rohit Shetty. She also opened up about how now she wants to do her own stunts in her projects and doesn't want to use body doubles. (Photo: Instagram)

It has been the most loveliest experience that I’ve ever had in my life. The experience has been memorable and I am going to cherish it for life long. I don’t think I am going to have such a beautiful experience after this ever in my life. I am so happy that I said yes to the show and to taking up this challenge which I felt I was not ready for but I am happy I was wrong. I realised that every person is ready for challenges in life, you just need to be mentally confident for it. I’ve learnt this because of this show. (Photo: Instagram)

I was dying to do something different from what I’ve done so far onscreen. I am dying to live the way I was during my childhood. As a kid I used to participate in a lot of adventures, I was an NCC cadet. I would go for mountaineering activities, I would also do rifle shooting. I had done all this during my growing up years and when I shifted to Mumbai, I had left all this in Bhopal. I became someone else when I started working in the TV industry and have not been the person I was in the last 15 years of my working journey. I was missing that part of my life. I really wanted to try my adventurous side and bring back that Divyanka. (Photo: Instagram)

During the lockdown when I stayed away from acting especially when we all were in isolation, I realised that I am missing my adventurous side. I actually wanted to go for nature training, trekking and suddenly Khatron Ke Khiladi 11’s offer came my way. It seemed like a blessing in disguise for me. I felt I was actually waiting for this opportunity, but there was also this phase where I was questioning myself if I am physically ready to do the show. I felt I was not ready because this show is very challenging at physical and mental level. Whenever we watch Khatron Ke Khiladi we watch the show as an audience but when you start thinking from the point of view of a participant that’s where things change. I kept saying no to myself that I can’t do this show. I said yes to do the show, when I realised that as a kid I was very fearless and would do everything. I am glad I said yes. (Photo: Instagram)

Vivek has been my biggest support because more than me he had confidence in me. He has seen how enthusiastic I am when I do any adventure sports. He felt that I shouldn’t say no otherwise I will regret it throughout my life. While I was pondering over whether I should do the show or not, he was thinking how he would train me for the show. He was just waiting for me to say yes and he was prepared with his plan to physically train me. So he started first with rehabilitation where we first consulted with the doctor for all my injuries. We did all the MRI and x-rays and then we did rehabilitation. Then we worked on my fitness and all this went for a one month. We have everything out to prepare in that one month. He was there with me throughout as a constant support. He would get so happy with even my small achievements. There was one phase where I was not able to say yes to the show and I was confused. Vivek told me to call up and ask my mom whether I should participate or not. And I knew if I call my mother, she would definitely push me for it. She has seen me growing and she knows my capabilities. They were so enthusiastic about my participation and I am glad that they are once again getting to see my adventurous side. I am so excited that Vivek is going to see this side of me for the first time. (Photo: Instagram)

While I was in Cape Town after every stunt I would feel oh God I wish Vivek was here and I could show him how well I performed. He would feel so proud of me. Sometimes I wanted to tell him, see you felt I was unfit, look I have performed the stunt so well. There were also a few times when I used to remember his words wherein he had told me to work on my arms. Somewhere, he was always there with me while I was performing the stunts. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes I’ve surprised myself. I don’t know how to swim. I went with the thought that I have to do the show, now that I have signed up for it. Thankfully, I did not go with the mindset that if it doesn’t happen then also it is fine. I always wanted to do it and I just looked out for ways to perform the stunts well. I went with a positive attitude. I think people have not seen this side of me. (Photo: Instagram)

I agree that actor’s do get stereotyped. Sometimes as actors we don’t realise how far we have come from our actual personality because we are constantly playing characters. People who watch us on screen feel this is our reality and this is all we can do. But in reality things can be vast and an actor can also have different talents. It is up to the makers now in what different roles they can present me in front of my audience. Now, all thanks to Khatron Ke Khiladi people will start imagining me in different avatars. They will now start thinking of me in different avatars, something I haven’t tried before. I am actually waiting for it. Now I want to see myself in a very different light. Now, I want to do my own stunts and don't want a body double to perform it for me. I want to do action oriented roles like playing a cop or an army officer. The makers find my face very innocent but there’s a lot of strength behind this face and I want to portray that strength onscreen. (Photo: Instagram)

Rohit Shetty is a wonderful director and I feel the person who is a good director is also a good teacher. We have seen his super duper hit films and the larger than life stunts he does in his films. The stunts he designs are not easy to execute. There’s so much hard work and practise that goes behind designing these stunts. He makes sure that when we come to perform these stunts there are no errors, accidents or injuries. And we got to see that during the show. When we would perform stunts, we would hear his voice and it was divine at that particular time. I am really glad that I could meet and work with him. The most amazing part of my KKK journey has been when he would praise me. I would feel like getting an award. (Photo: Instagram)

I have made up my mind now that I won’t stop for anything. I won’t stop myself from doing a project just because I’ve an injury, I will figure out a way to do it. I know, I will face challenges but I will come up with a plan to cross that hurdle. I want to learn new things. Now, I have started looking at fitness with a different mindset. I know that fitness is not only about having big muscles, abs or hitting the gym daily. I know I don’t have abs and I am happy I don’t because now I am going to work on fitness, on my core, strength. I will start doing things I enjoy the most, that is doing adventure activities again. I don’t want to stop the adrenaline rush that I have. (Photo: Instagram)

I call my injuries and bruises a medal. During one of the stunts, a crocodile had bitten me on my wrist and near the jaw. There was a big injury in my hand. So, I have had many injuries and now I am flaunting them like medals. (Photo: Instagram)