Bhumi Pednekar reveals Akshay Kumar's scary bike prank on Toilet set
Synopsis
Bhumi Pednekar lifted the curtain on a bone-chilling behind-the-scenes moment: Akshay Kumar deliberately ramped up his bike's speed after promising her there were no stunts. What started as a reassurance became a calculated scare that left her praying. On Wheel of Fortune, she relived the prank while Kumar laughed — a reminder that on Bollywood sets, trust can be a luxury.
Key Takeaways
Bhumi Pednekar revealed Akshay Kumar pranked her on the set of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha by accelerating a bike despite assuring her there were no stunts.
Pednekar has a documented fear of speed and bikes, which Kumar exploited for the prank.
The actress froze in terror and prayed during the incident, according to her account on Wheel of Fortune .
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha released on 11 August 2017 , directed by Shree Narayan Singh and produced by Kumar and Neeraj Pandey .
The film addressed sanitation, dignity, and women's rights in rural India, aligned with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan .
Actress Bhumi Pednekar recalled a frightening on-set prank by Akshay Kumar during the filming of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, while appearing as a guest on the Indian edition of Wheel of Fortune in late April. The revelation came as the quiz reality show approached its season finale.
The prank that terrified her
Pednekar disclosed that Kumar exploited her known fear of speed to orchestrate the prank. "I am very scared of speed and Akshay sir knew that," she explained. "He asked me, are you scared of bikes? I said, Sir, I am petrified. I am very scared. Thank God, you know, there is no stunt in the movie."
The actor then reassured her there were no bike stunts in the film, only to immediately contradict himself. "Akshay Sir was like, yes, there isn't and then he continued to ride the bike comfortably. He suddenly asked me to hold the bike tight and increased the speed. I literally froze and only and only prayed to God," Pednekar recounted.
Kumar's reaction
Kumar, who currently hosts Wheel of Fortune, was seen laughing heartily as the memory was revisited on the show, acknowledging the prank without denial.
About Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
The film, which paired Kumar and Pednekar in lead roles, released on 11 August 2017. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh and produced by Kumar and Neeraj Pandey, the social comedy-drama was inspired by real-life incidents and aligned with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The narrative centred on Keshav (played by Kumar), who marries Jaya (Pednekar) only to face a domestic crisis when she discovers the absence of a toilet in the vicinity of their home. Keshav then embarks on a struggle against entrenched societal norms and orthodox beliefs to construct a toilet and preserve his marriage. What begins as a simple household issue evolves into a broader commentary on sanitation, dignity, and women's rights in rural India, transforming Keshav's life in the process.
Point of View
Then laugh about it publicly, underscores how consent and boundaries can blur on film sets. That Pednekar laughed it off on national television reflects how actresses often normalise such incidents rather than call them out. The anecdote is entertaining on the surface but raises uncomfortable questions about workplace safety and actor accountability.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prank did Akshay Kumar play on Bhumi Pednekar?
Akshay Kumar accelerated a motorcycle at high speed while riding with Bhumi Pednekar, despite having assured her moments earlier that there were no bike stunts in the film. Pednekar, who has a known fear of speed, froze in terror during the incident.
When did Bhumi Pednekar reveal this prank?
Bhumi Pednekar revealed the prank while appearing as a guest on the Indian edition of Wheel of Fortune in late April, as the show's season approached its finale.
What is Toilet: Ek Prem Katha about?
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is a 2017 social comedy-drama starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar. The film follows a man who struggles against societal norms to build a toilet after his bride discovers the absence of sanitation facilities near their home, touching on themes of dignity and women's rights in rural India.
Who directed and produced Toilet: Ek Prem Katha?
The film was directed by Shree Narayan Singh and produced by Akshay Kumar and Neeraj Pandey. It released on 11 August 2017 and was aligned with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
