“There’s no such thing as accident-proof stunt” – Shyam Kaushal

By Screen Weekly -

July 25, 2013 - 1:38 AM IST

I do not agree that Bollywood's safety measures during stunts are not being upto the mark. The number of action films made in Bollywood in a year is 20 times more than those made in Hollywood. On an average, there are around 40 shoots of different action sequences in and around the city every day. How many accidents do we come across every day? And if there are no casualties, in spite of the quantity of work being accomplished on a daily basis, then how can one say that doing action stunts in Bollywood isn't really safe?

“There’s no such thing as accident-proof stunt” – Shyam Kaushal

In today's time, technology is so advanced that every possible measure is taken. We (as stunt directors) make sure that every stunt we plan to execute is full proof and 100 per cent free of human errors. Beyond that, I am sure even the best Hollywood's action directors can't guarantee anything. Bollywood's action accidents are nothing compared to those in Hollywood; we have heard of fatal accidents taking place there in the past.

Action sequences are planned according to the script's demand. First the shot is planned, then performed and perfected by a stunt man. After the stunt man gets the shot 100 per cent correct, we show it to the actor, who reviews it and gives his inputs. Even if the actor is 0.01 per cent doubtful about the entire scene, we scrap the scene and work on a new idea. This is a procedure followed by most action and stunt directors in Bollywood.

Actors talking about the safety measures in Bollywood action films should understand that risk is a part of the job; it's a professional hazard. One can't be an action hero without doing dangerous stunts, and where there are stunts there is risk. As directors, we make sure that our actors and our stunt artists are protected. I have worked with all the top actors so far, and I haven't heard anyone complaining. In fact, sometimes we have to convince them against doing a particular stunt.

Since the safety issue has been triggered off by the incident of a head injury suffered by Hrithik Roshan while filming Bang Bang in Bangkok, which led to a surgery for blood clot in brain, I just want to ask one thing - Why are Indian stunt directors being questioned, when there was no Indian stunt director present on the shoot? I just don't get that.

Screen India