Akshay is a great teacher: 'Fear Factor' contestants

"Akshay is the most amazing teacher in the world. He always inspired us saying we could do the stunts. But he is a strict taskmaster too. There were times when we wanted to give it up, but he motivated us to push ahead. Akshay was like a big brother who pushed us beyond the limit," television actress Rupali Ganguly told PTI here.

Ganguly is one of the 13 young women who will perform dare-devil stunts on second edition of the reality show, which begins September 7 on Colors TV.

Describing Akshay as a support system, she said, "He was the same on and off the camera and remained with us throughout the shoot. If we were standing under the sun, he would also be there with us," said Ganguly, who was in the city to promote the show.

Known as 'cry baby' after her stint at 'Bigg Boss', the actress said she has now come over some of her fears after doing the stunts.

Echoing similar experience, Veejay and Brazilian model Bruna Abdullah, said the 'Khiladi' of Bollywood was a pillar of strength during the shooting in Cape Town.

"In the first season, he played a host. But this time he was a pillar of strength for everyone on the show. Akshay was like a teacher who would ask us to work," she said.

Recalling that at the end of their shoot, Akshay would himself try to perform the stunts to show us that even he cannot do everything, she said the actor did everything possible to be a morale-booster.

Asked about her experience, the 22-year-old said they were the scariest moments of her life.

"It was insane. We had no idea of what was going on. I never felt so scary in my life. But it was once in a lifetime opportunity for us. No one else will pay us for so much of adventure," she said.