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An action hero who has dabbled in comedy with success. The description fits two names — Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. Both debuted at about the same time and are huge cricket fans.

Another interesting parallel is about to crop up. Like Kumar, who made his television debut with a fitness-related Seven Deadly Arts with Akshay Kumar series on National Geographic, Shetty will soon make his debut on television with the reality fitness show, Biggest Loser Jeetega, on Sahara One.

“Akshay and I started working together and he has been a good co-star. I think he has been luckier than me,” says Shetty whose luck might just change with his new venture.

The show airs from May. “Sixteen obese contestants try to get in shape over four months. The fittest walks away with the prize,” says the actor who is a fitness freak.

Host, dost and more Hosting the show has not only been entertaining but also a learning experience.

During the making of the show, Shetty has struck up a friendship with Andrew Lepus, Team India’s former physiotherapist.

“Unlike other reality shows, this one gives all the contestants a lot in return. For one, you will be slimmer,” he says, adding he will host the show in coming seasons too.

Although films have always been a priority for Shetty, he has cut down on work over the last year. He will resume shooting after Biggest Loser Jeetega wraps up.

Meanwhile, he is hopeful about Apoorva Lakhia’s Shootout At Lokhandwala. He will also be seen in Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaniyaan, Ahmed Khan’s Fool and Final, Rajnish Thakur’s Amar Joshi Shahid Ho Gaya, Mani Shankar’s Mukhbir and Anees Bazmee’s International Hera Pheri.

Shetty also returns to production with Raaste, an action thriller toplining Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. “I take one thing at a time and right now I am concentrating on television,” he signs off.