Meet The New Khatron Ke Khiladi Host: Salman Khan

Mumbai: Salman Khan is hot property on TV. There's no denying that. That said, Akshay Kumar is no pushover, either.

So imagine the shock Akki was in for when he heard from friends that Salman Khan had ousted him as host of the upcoming fourth season of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi.

According to a source, the Dabangg star is already on for KKK4. "Salman shot a promo for KKK4 in Bangkok while shooting for Bhushan Kumar's Ready. He would never shoot a promo unless he had signed a contract.

The channel is debating on how to break the news to Akshay who was kicked about hosting the show's fourth season."

A source explains the shift in loyalties. "After successful runs with 10 Ka Dum and Bigg Boss 4 and his runaway hit, Dabangg, Salman is on a hot streak. He's friends with Colors' head, Ashwini Yardi.

He has hinted on cutting them a bargain for a double deal for Big Boss 5 and KKK 4. The clincher could be BB4's higher TRPs than Akshay has ever had on his show for the same channel."

These factors have convinced the channel to do a rethink despite signing AK to host KKK4. Apparently, both the actor and the channel have an exit clause where one can opt out of the deal without having to break it.

Colors is exploring this clause as Akki has already shot for a promo for KKK4 in South Africa in February.

Says a source close to Akshay, "He has heard the rumours of Salman replacing him but is choosing not to believe them till the channel tells him so. He refuses to believe that Salman would do something so underhand."

When asked to comment, Ashwini Yardi says, "I cannot say anything at this point." While Akki and Sallu remained unavailable for comment.

For Sony's 10 Ka Dum, Salman was paid Rs 90 crore for 100 episodes. When he realised that Akshay was being paid Rs 1.5 crore for 16 episodes to host Colors' Khatron Ke Khiladi, he was upset. Sallu refused to come on the sets until his price was hiked. Sony was in a fix. The show with Salman had already been announced and the promos were to soon go on air. It was finally agreed that Salman should be paid a crore per episode, making him richer by Rs 104 crore for 100 episodes!