Amitabh Bachchan’s brush with death while shooting Coolie is almost legendary, when it comes to discussing famous on-set accidents. A single fight scene nearly cost India its most famous movie star.
And now Tollywood has joined the list of on-set injuries. Just days ago, actor Rana Daggubati fell off a horse during the shoot of Baahubali. Fortunately for Rana, he survived with minor injuries. But hours later, another story broke of senior star Mohan Babu’s miraculous escape from a jet ski crash in Bangkok, Thailand. Timely action by the actor’s sons, Manoj and Vishnu Manchu, ensured that nothing untoward happened.
But the risks have definitely increased.
While body doubles and stunt men and women is the norm, more and more stars are doing their own action scenes these days to inject that extra quotient of realism. This, however, increases the chances of injuries and with crores of rupees riding on films, the risks go beyond personal injury.
While Amitabh Bachchan’s health has never been the same since that fateful day when Punnet Issar’s punch brought him in sharp contact with a table edge, the stars feel that it is a risk worth taking and point out that those involved in action scenes, especially in Bollywood, are usually insured.
Ajay Devgn, who started his career doing splits on two motorcycles in the 1991 film Phool Aur Kaante, says, “My father Veeru Devgan is a renowned action director. So I know the risks. But thanks to video editing, action scenes are a lot safer now. In my first film, I rode on two bikes for my introductory scene, which was innovative yet involved a huge risk.
“As an action director’s son and a producer, I ensure the safety of the stunt men working with me. All my technicians and stunt men are insured. I never compromise on their safety. Be it a minor scratch or an injury, my team ensures that the company takes care of the treatment.”
Akshay Kumar who, like Devgn, started his career as an action hero says, “I’ve always believed in doing my own stunts. From the time I started my career till now, I try not to use a body double. My family is always worried about the risks involved but apart from getting personal satisfaction, I also feel that it’s unfair to put a stunt man’s life at risk. Recently I injured my foot while shooting an action scene. But I don’t feel bad because the injury happened while doing my own stunts.”
Stunt master duo Ram-Lakshman say, “We take a lot of care but most accidents take place unexpectedly. One needs to be extra careful during chase sequences and action episodes. We do rehearsals with fight assistants before making it with the stars. But when the timing goes wrong, accidents happen. For example, during the making of Tulasi, Venkatesh had to jump from a three-storied building with the assistance of a rope and had to land on a car. But due to the mistake of an assistant, Venkatesh suffered an ankle sprain. Also, during the shoot of Brundavanam, Jr NTR suffered an injury near his eye.”
Bheemineni Srinivas, who directed Pawan Kalyan in Annavaram, recalls another incident: “We were shooting a scene on Tapasu Balu, a character in the film, who embraces his opponents with crackers and bursts them. We used real crackers and despite safety measures, a fire broke out and a person suffered burns.”
“Nowadays, filmmakers are leaving no stones unturned to use effects in action sequences, and heroes are taking more risks for originality in commercial potboilers. Since most big-ticket films cost around Rs 20 crore to Rs 30 crore, it’s good to opt for insurance. But only very few are following this trend in Tollywood,” he adds.
Director Madhura Sreedhar agrees that it’s all about adding that touch of reality. “Many actors insist on doing the stunts. But that is uncalled for when you have technology like green mats or screens at your disposal. I believe 99.9 per cent of Hollywood stars don’t do their own stunts.”
“In my last movie Backbench Student, actor Mahat Raghvendra wanted to run towards the sea in Vizag for a scene but I declined. I knew that he knew how to swim but one can’t rule out a mishap.
“The director and fight master play important roles in the safety of an actor during a shoot. I usually give a long narration to my actors and insist on using body doubles.
“I have heard of insuring actors and sets in Bollywood. I haven’t done anything so far. Actors get insurance done on a personal level,” he adds.
WTF
“These days, many actors want to lend a realistic touch to their roles and insist on doing the stunts themselves. But that is uncalled for when you have technology like green mats or screens at your disposal. I believe 99.9 per cent of Hollywood stars don’t do their own stunts.” - Madhura Sreedhar, Director
ROFL
After his recent accident, Rana Tweeted: “Thank you for the concern. Just a bad fall off a horse. Will be up and running in a few days.
“My director @ssrajamouli says another 6 falls I’ll be a perfect rider ;;).”
Rajamouli responded: “Well, when I had my first fall, someone told me that one becomes an expert rider after 7 falls…:) Passed on the gyaan to you @RanaDaggubati”.
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