Life after FEAR FACTOR, KHATRON KE KHILADI

So, it's finally over - the experience, the show, the after parties, the news headlines - All. The moments that changed mine and the 12 other commoners' lives forever have passed by in a flash, took us by storm and dropped us down with the same lightening speed down to reality. All that's left are the pictures and videos from the show and I keep going back to my website to relive the experience.

The second season of Khatron Ke Khiladi - Fear Factor and I'm on it!

But the dreams and nightmares never did stop. Sundeep Khatri, Roopali Ganguli's partner from Orissa called me one morning asking how I was and talked about how life was not really the same after Fear Factor. Everywhere he went he was recognised and treated differently too (in a good way, of course) and even though within his own self he'd never remember any of it, he was constantly reminded that he was not really the same regular boy he was before September 2009 in his city and in India. But that was not it, it was also the restless thirst, the want for more, the desire to get more attention and be known even more that haunted most of us. Gurmeet Singh, who went on to win the show along with his partner Anushka Manchanda, has quit his job and after been honoured by various clubs and foundations in the city he comes from in Punjab is now considering moving to Mumbai to get work in the industry. Goonj, Carol Gracious' partner, too is now planning to shift base to Mumbai.

I loved the thrill of adventure and beautiful Cape Town

What is it about Bollywood that attracts and draws people who get a taste of it to get deeper and deeper. It's like a drug that takes the better of you and you lose all consciousness in reasoning. I can't say that I haven't been smitten too. Perhaps the consequences for me a smaller, since I am from the sin city myself and so don't have to sacrifice much to give it a shot. But that doesn't mean that life hasn't taken a new turn in my life.

Fortunately for me I've had a great time so far and met some really nice people who've been mentors, friends and guides. I had an opportunity to meet Nisha Harale, well known model, actress and socialite, at a paintball match organized by Sony Pix in which we were opponents. Somehow we really clicked and today she's one of my most trusted friend and mentor. She's an inspiration not only to me, but many others just with the way she's sustained in the industry and works so hard, and yet has a very simple and respectful family life. Her parents and sister are so warm and of course husband Adam Bedi is also very entertaining. I hadn't imagined I'd actually like someone so quickly after meeting them so recently.

There are also many others who are in here only to make a quick buck and have traps set up for all the new, unaware aspirants who come looking to make it big in the biggest B - Bollywood. I've met many such. It's sad that so many fall prey to their excellent marketing pitches and will actually do anything to give it a shot, while these characters mercilessly drain you dry of every resource you have left.

In the end, my nightmares that I had during my one month in Cape Town shooting for Fear Factor still haunt me and I wonder if they'll ever stop. The show wasn't as fearful as the nightmares that haunted most of us every night... and still continue. I guess that's exactly what Bollywood is like. The good or bad times pass by easily and fast, but the nightmares linger on forever........