Stunt safety measures not up to international standards: Akshay Kumar

In spite of having stuntmen on hand,
actors often insist on performing their
own stunts. Hrithik Roshan just
underwent brain surgery after hurting
himself during a stunt for his next, Bang
Bang. We speak to Akshay Kumar (he too injured his foot while shooting for the
tentatively titled Pistol) about precautions and safety on the sets.

# What are the safety measures taken
while filming stunts?

When we hire a stunt team from abroad,
we realise our safety measures aren't up
to international standards. I always
check my harness before I do a stunt; I
test-drive the cars I have to race or
explode; I'm present at all pyrotechnical rehearsals; and I walk through
everything step-by-step. No man should
put their life in someone else's hands
unless they have covered their own
safety from all angles.

# With advancing technology, is it
possible to replace filming stunts with
computer-generated imagery?

Our films are advancing, but not to the
point where actors are replaced by
computer doubles, like in Hollywood
films. Most of the time, the time to
choreograph fight sequences in advance
isn't available. We tend to walk onto set, get told what to do and
choose whether
or not to do it. At times, we ask the stunt
double to perform, purely for safety
reasons. In the last five years, though,
I've seen a change, and India has finally
given safety more priority.

# You perform your own stunts. Is safety
a concern?

Of course I fear for my safety, but the
trick is to never let fear control you. Your
adrenaline helps keep you alive and stops
you from making potentially life-
threatening mistakes. The day I take
either my body or my work for granted will be the day you hear that I've
smashed every inch of myself to pieces.
In nearly 25 years of doing stunts, I made
my first real mistake recently. I've never
felt more ashamed.

# What advice would you give to fellow
action stars?

Always think twice before you decide to
do anything for a film. It may seem like a
career-changing idea, but think of your
family and your future before doing
anything risky. Train properly, because
looking strong and being strong are two different things.