MUMBAI: AXN has announced that its biggest ground event of the year AXN Xtreme: India vs. Pak Challenge kicks off on 21 August with a series of qualifying events.
As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, the challenge requires teams to prevail over extreme situations, conditions and overcome extreme challenges. Competitors will face off in a series of challenges that may be held both indoor and outdoor.
AXN Xtreme: India vs. Pakistan will include a multitude of elements, including popular sports, and man’s most common and dreaded fears – – – think Fear Factor. And, after going through physical and mental hell, he/she is also expected to be a presentable and camera-friendly team person.
The city-wise elimination rounds will begin with Mumbai at St Xavier’s Parel East Football Ground on 21 August. The New Delhi edition will be held at Polo Grounds Delhi University on 22 August. On the same day, AXN’s crew will visit Kolkata at Nalban Boating Complex. The search will then travel to Bangalore to St John’s Medical College Grounds on 28 August and culminate in Karachi on 29 August.
One winner from each city in India will make it to the final team, whereas, all four finalists from Pakistan will be selected from Karachi itself. Selected finalists will then face off in a series of challenges in Taiwan. The original production would be subsequently broadcast Asia-wide, on AXN, in the final quarter of the year.
What is unique is that the challenges are revealed to the participants only on the event day. The aim is to retain the element of surprise, to stimulate creativity given the limitations and, most importantly, to have a level-playing field.
The finale in Taiwan will comprise three stages. The first stage would be the basic physical challenge. Contestants will perform simple but physically demanding rigours. The participants possessing the greatest physical prowess will proceed to the next stage. This will involve a multi-discipline high impact challenge where contestants will be tested under various more complex tests and conditions.
Over a gruelling five-hour period, the short-listed participants will be subject to various rigours to check their range and versatility – from fear of heights to keeping cool under pressure. The third and final stage will test mental agility and screen friendliness. This involves tests by psychoanalysts as well as screen tests that will decide how camera-friendly a contestant is.
Whether rain, burning heat or hail, short-listed participants are expected to spend the entire day facing the elements, whatever the conditions. Hence, the event will not only pit man against man, but also man against nature. The final winner would be selected on the basis of his/her performance in all three stages and would be announced on the day itself.