'When I came to India a year ago, all I knew were two words:'Accha' and 'Namaste.'
Moroccan beauty Soundous Moufakir, who is known for her successful turns in MTV Roadies and MTV Splitsvilla, is ready to face her fears in the action-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 13.
As she gears up for the shoot in South Africa, Soundous reveals her winning mantra to Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com:: "We can't pretend to be someone else (on the show). That way, I wouldn't let my audience know who I am as a person."
On her participation in the show
I am very excited about the show. This is my first year in India, and to get an opportunity like KKK is very exciting for me.
I am excited to perform stunts in the jungles of South Africa. I have been there during Roadies.
I am also excited that I will be doing this show alongside so many TV actors, and people who are not just from the reality TV show businesses. They may educate me more about the industry.
On her favourite contestants from the past seasons
Arjun Bijlani was my favourite contestant. He was also the host for Splitsvilla.
I enjoyed watching Rubina (Dilaik) and Jannat (Zubair) during the first season of KKK. I really liked Rubina for how bold and straightforward she is. She speaks her mind and I like that about her.
Jannat has a very strange way of doing things, but once you realise that, you are like, 'Wow, that's so nice.'
Maybe I will speak to these three people after the show and tell them about my journey.
On the show host Rohit Shetty
Rohit Shetty is the core of KKK. It is difficult to imagine the show without him.
It's the only show with only one host. Other reality shows have multiple hosts and sometimes, they call in actors and entertainers as well. On KKK, Rohit sir alone is enough to entertain the audience and hold it together from beginning to end.
On the best advice she's received for KKK
I have been speaking to Uorfi (Javed) and she said, just be yourself.
I think that's the best advice anyone can have because we have been chosen for who we are.
We can't pretend to be someone else (on the show). That way, I wouldn't let my audience know who I am as a person.
I will be sure to make the most of this opportunity.
On her fears on the show
My fear would be diving underwater and jumping off from heights.
I experienced bungee jumping once and hit the rock and got myself hurt really badly. That trauma is still with me.
But I am not going to abort any stunt on the show.
On her action plan for KKK
This is KKK and not Splitsvilla, so there is less drama here.
I am looking forward to building real connections.
I just want to have fun and leave that drama behind.
On facing challenges in the industry
When I came to India a year ago, all I knew were two words:' Accha' and 'Namaste'.
I hired a Hindi tutor to learn the language.
Now I can speak Hindi, but I know it is still not very good.
People said, 'Oh she won Splitsvilla and went back to her country'.
They are right.
If I want to work here in India, I should learn the native language.
If I have made a choice to be here, it is my challenge. But yes, I would need some time to excel in the language.
