Akshay Kumar Returns to Television After a Decade as Host of Wheel of Fortune
The Bollywood superstar opens up about discipline, choices, and why the iconic game show felt like the perfect comeback to the small screen.
After nearly ten years away from television, Akshay Kumar is back in the spotlight as the host of Sony Entertainment Television’s latest reality offering, Wheel of Fortune. The show, which premiered on January 27, also streams on SonyLIV and marks Akshay’s return as a full-time reality show host after his last judging stint in 2017. Speaking about the journey that brought him here, the actor reflected that there was no single defining moment that changed his life—rather, it was a chain of consistent choices that gradually shaped his success.
Akshay has always shared a special bond with television, long before reality shows became a star-driven space. In 2004, he hosted the martial-arts based miniseries Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar, followed by his hugely popular run on Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi between 2008 and 2011. He later hosted MasterChef India’s debut season, mentored contestants on Dare 2 Dance, and briefly judged The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. His return with Wheel of Fortune feels like a full-circle moment, bringing him back to a medium he has always respected.
In a chat with Hindustan time he explained why the show appealed to him, Akshay shared that Wheel of Fortune instantly resonated because of its simplicity and emotional connect. The format celebrates participation, quick thinking, and family bonding—values he strongly identifies with. The Indian adaptation stays true to the globally popular game show, where contestants spin a giant wheel to earn prize money and solve word puzzles, making it a fun, inclusive experience for viewers watching at home.
The actor also believes that television itself has evolved over the years. According to him, the small screen is no longer just about passive viewing; it’s about engagement, playing along, and feeling involved as a family. That timeless yet interactive quality is what convinced him that Wheel of Fortune fits perfectly with today’s audience expectations.
Fondly known as ‘Khiladi Kumar’, Akshay has completed over three decades in Hindi cinema, delivering hits across genres—from romantic dramas like Yeh Dillagi and Dhadkan to comedies such as Hera Pheri and Good Newwz, thrillers like Special 26, and socially driven films including Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Pad Man. When asked what truly turned the wheel of fortune in his life, Akshay credits discipline over comfort, punctuality, and honesty towards his craft, especially given his humble beginnings.
