Just three years old and Life OK has proved itself as a channel with an edge, a spin and loads of out- of- the- box programming. It?s doing a great job with its content mix of fiction drama, superlative thrillers like Laut Aao Trisha, hard core reality drama like the Savdhan series, mythologicals like Devon Ka Dev, adventure fantasies such as Hatim, and more. Sure, it also has had a few non-starter shows like Welcome and Bachelorette , which come with the territory.

It?s piece resistance this year is the just concluded Dare 2 Dance show helmed by Akshay Kumar. The actor is Bollywood?s exemplary action hero, a martial arts exponent, TV host (NGC?s Seven Deadly Arts, Fear Factor, etc). Dare 2 Dance is a groundbreaking, original reality show where participants dance -- but never on ground -- sometimes on a platform suspended over a water body, or angled onto a cliff, or vertical, in the air, the possibilities are unimaginable!

D2D is like everything Akshay Kumar represents ? dare to be deadly different. Each episode he gave the contestants a challenge; even his tag line bespeaks his philosophy -- 'Jiski life mein dare nahin , uski khair nahin...? D2D challenged the best trained dancers to prove themselves in the most adverse conditions. They were asked to dance on ice or at a height of 6000 feet or underwater in minus-seven degrees or on moving platforms suspended in mid-air or even in sheer air. They danced with fire, too. The props were aerial silk ropes, circular Saturn like rings, cubes, frames, rings, trampoline, etc.

With its edge of the seat, excitement and never seen before acts, D2D enthralled the viewers in their armchairs, sometimes causing them to jump off in nervous excitement. India?s talent led from the front as the world watched this brand new concept from an Indian software house and channel showcase mostly Indian talent engaged in challenging the beauteous, but treacherous South African location. D2D is a mother of dance shows where trained and famous dancers struggled to put their best foot on a non-existent dance floor. The show tested the endurance and determination of each contestant. For the first time ever on Indian television, the dance floor was being taken away from under their feet to new heights and depths, quite literally.

The show had contestants, comprising of celebrities and trained dancers, compete to raise the bar of dancing to a different level. Akshay Kumar who is known for his dare devil acts guided contestants and pushed them to re-invent themselves and perform in extreme dancing conditions each week. The contestants were challenged to prove their mettle as 'Extreme Dance Ke Heroes'. The final three Sanam Johar (Winner), Emillie (first runner up) and Kunwar Amar were truly the pick of the 10. Amar who went first in the contest was the epitome of the ideal D2D contestant dancing atop the suspended stage.

Keeping up with its commitment to pushing the boundaries and bring unique and disruptive content on television, Life OK broke the norms of a regular dance format with an original show which melded dance, stunts and dares thrown to the contestants by Akshay Kumar.

The 10 contestants were chosen from other dance shows ? while some have been finalists, a couple of them are winners. There were two foreign imports too who have been a part of Bollywood films. The contestants had to perform in extreme conditions and were judged by two experts ? film choreographer Sanjay Shetty and an international action director Francois Grobbelaar. If the judges were happy with the performance they doled out green cards, if not it was a red alert. The ones with red cards had to introspect sitting in a tent and talk to a mirror!

The mix of dance and stunts is so new that yes, curiosity kills the cat in us. Akshay himself is quite a daredevil and his entry was nothing short of thrills. He appeared from underwater and soared high on a flyboard. Akshay played the big brother to the contestants; stern he was, reminding them that they had to do a dare and not just dance. At the same time, he would compliment them on a good performance with: 'AK is ok'.

Being accustomed to watching regular dance shows, D2D with it?s heart-stopping moments may not be everybody's cup of tea. But one should watch the re-runs for the sheer novelty, breathtaking moves and amazing performances.

Dare 2 Dance is produced by SOL Productions , who have carved a niche for themselves in the area of unscripted content by producing some of the biggest hit shows; hit shows that attained a cult status, on Indian television.

When it comes to stunt-based shows or reality action shows, South Africa has become television's go-to destination.