Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 has landed in controversy after its latest episode featured a stunt in which contestants were repeatedly hit with rubber bullets, leaving visible injuries on their backs. The sequence triggered widespread criticism online, with many viewers accusing the makers of crossing the line between entertainment and physical harm.
The controversial task, titled the “Pain Auction”, saw contestants Shagun Sharma, Gaurav Khanna, Vishal Aditya Singh and Karan Wahi standing with their backs exposed while a man dressed in camouflage fired rubber pellets at them. Host Rohit Shetty explained that the contestants would have to endure the barrage until two of them gave up, after which those contestants would perform the elimination stunt. He later revealed that each participant was struck by around 40 pellets during the challenge.
Although the contestants wore spine protectors, they were otherwise dressed only in sleeveless vests, leaving much of their backs exposed. As the stunt progressed, the firing distance was reduced and multiple pellets were discharged simultaneously, causing visible pain. Shagun Sharma was the first contestant to withdraw, followed by Gaurav Khanna, while Vishal Aditya Singh and Karan Wahi completed the task.
The aftermath of the challenge left fellow contestants visibly emotional as they saw the injuries sustained by the four participants. Shagun later shared a video from the stunt on Instagram, writing, “I know what it looked like from outside. Still healing from what it felt like from inside.” During the episode, she also admitted that she did not think the stunt was appropriate. Gaurav Khanna echoed similar sentiments, describing it as the “most painful experience ever” and later posted images of the marks on his back on social media.
The stunt quickly became a talking point across social media, with many viewers questioning whether such challenges were necessary for a reality show. Comments such as “Isn’t this torture rather than a task?” and “Kya paagalpan hai ye?” flooded Instagram and X. Several users argued that contestants should not be intentionally injured for entertainment, while others questioned whether the stunt complied with safety norms. Some viewers even admitted they found the episode difficult to watch because of the contestants’ visible suffering.
A section of users also criticised the show’s makers for prioritising spectacle over contestant welfare, arguing that Khatron Ke Khiladi has traditionally featured dangerous stunts but not challenges designed to inflict prolonged physical pain. Others defended the programme, pointing out that contestants participate voluntarily after undergoing safety briefings and medical supervision, though many still felt the latest task pushed the boundaries too far.
Hosted by Rohit Shetty, Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 premiered on August 1 and is being filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. Despite its reputation for high-risk action stunts, the latest episode has reignited debate over how far reality television should go in the pursuit of entertainment. As clips from the challenge continue to circulate online, the “Pain Auction” has emerged as one of the most controversial moments in the show’s history.