Mahesh Bhatt recalled how Akshay Kumar risked his life for a ‘daring stunt’ in his 1998 film Angaaray.
Long before action heroes were backed by green screens and body doubles, you had Akshay Kumar leaping off rooftops, dangling from helicopters, and diving headfirst into danger in his films; all thanks to his martial arts training. He is one of the few stars who insists on doing his own stunts, and often credits fight masters to guide him in the same. Over the years, Akshay’s stunts in movies have inspired the new generation of actors to embrace physical storytelling.
Recently, when Akshay graced the finale episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 to promote his film Jolly LLB 3, the Bollywood star received a sweet video message from filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt in which the latter was all praise for Kumar’s dedication.
He recalled how Akshay performed a deadly stunt without a body double for his 1998 directorial Angaaray, and even compared him with Tom Cruise.
“If Hollywood has Tom Cruise, who does his own deadly stunts, we have Akshay Kumar. I have seen him perform a daring stunt with my own eyes. A mere mention of the stunt will scare you. However, I actually didn’t watch it because I closed my eyes and ran towards the corner,” Bhatt said.
Elaborating on the jaw-dropping stunt, he continued, “The fight master came to me and said if the hero jumps from this building to the next one, the scene will come alive. I said yes, but there’s also the risk of losing a life. But Akshay said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll do it.’ I told him, ‘You are my responsibility. What if something goes wrong?’ He assured me that nothing will go wrong.”
Mahesh recalled being overwhelmed with fear, and added, “I shut my eyes and moved away. Then, after that deafening silence, something electrifying happened and people started clapping. When I heard the applause, I turned to see he had landed safely. His expression was as if nothing had happened. I think that was the foundation on which he has come this far.”
Later when asked on the show whether he ever worries about directors signing him for action-heavy projects, the Rowdy Rathore actor said that he sees himself as a stuntman first and an actor second, and expressed deep gratitude toward the fight masters who ensure the safety of actors and stunt performers. Reflecting on his approach to stunts, he explained that it wasn’t just about risk; it was a feeling, a kind of high, and that the desire to take on such challenges felt exhilarating to him.
Inspired by the American film State of Grace, Angaaray revolves around Inspector Amar (Akshay Kumar), a reformed juvenile delinquent who goes undercover to infiltrate a Mumbai gang led by his childhood friends, ultimately facing a moral dilemma between duty and loyalty. The film also stars Nagarjuna, Pooja Bhatt, and Sonali Bendre.
