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In an interview with AT, Anita Hassanandani talks about Akshay Kumar and why she’s kicking butt
AMRITA MULCHANDANI
Times News Network

There’s an air of professionalism about her as Anita Hassanandani gets ready for the interview. We are told at the onset that she’s not going to talk about anything but work. So, all those questions we’ve been itching to ask about former beau Eijaz Khan will have to wait for AT’s next chat with her. The dusky small screen sex symbol who’s been away from television for two and half years, returns with two brand new shows. In Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi, the docile television bahu gets set to kick some serious butt and does a series of death-defying stunts. What brought about this sudden change of image — from girl next-door to action diva? Anita laughs and admits that anchor Akshay Kumar was surely one of the reasons she joined the show. “Initially, I wasn’t sure of doing the show. But then I went ahead as I had decided to overcome my fears. I have learnt a lot — this show has helped me to fight my inner strength. I have also known my weakness and strengths by now,” she confesses.

So has she finally over come her fears? “Not completely. I was very scared of water, but now I can jump in water easily without being too scared. I have done lots of crazy stuff in this show which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I was afraid quite a lot of times, as I had to do stunts like jumping from the building, going deep in to water, and be with snakes, insects, fire, glass. There was a time when my head would have been hurt badly by a speed boat but luckily I was saved. I became more careful after that as anything could go wrong. There are fabulous people around. I have made great friends.” And what does she feel about Akshay? “He is an amazing guy. He is the perfect and brilliant host for the show. He has been supportive, encouraging and a mentor all the time.” Not just all this, Anita also plays Draupadi in 9X’s Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. A reality show on one hand and a mythological on another, why did she decide to do this show?

“Mahaabhaarat is as different as the reality show I am doing. I have never done a mythological so this was a great opportunity for me to experience,” she says. Anita hasn’t taken any special training for the serial but has watched small clippings of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat and is now reading a lot of literature on Mahabharat and Draupadi.
For now she can only “eat, dream and breathe work.” Way to go girl!