Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is currently in the spotlight following the release of his film Bhoot Bangla, which has drawn mixed reactions from audiences on social media. The film features a cast including Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, and Paresh Rawal.
Kumar, widely recognised for his work in action films, began his career in the genre and has since been regarded as one of the prominent action stars in Hindi cinema. In a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra, he revealed that he had narrowly escaped death on three separate occasions while performing stunts during film shoots.
Known for performing many of his own stunts rather than relying on body doubles, Kumar stated that this approach has often placed him in dangerous situations. He provided details of three incidents from different films where he faced life-threatening risks.
The first incident occurred during the filming of Sainik, released in 1993. In one scene, Kumar was required to move from one building to another while suspended on a wire. He explained that although he initially believed he could complete the stunt, his grip weakened midway, leaving him at risk of falling from a significant height. He narrowly avoided the fall.
The second incident took place during the filming of International Khiladi. Kumar described a stunt in which he was hanging from a boat while a catamaran approached. According to his account, a part of his body came dangerously close to being cut during the sequence. He managed to escape the situation without sustaining fatal injuries.
The third incident was during the production of Khiladi 786, where Kumar had to descend from a helicopter onto a hot air balloon. He stated that this stunt also placed him in a life-threatening situation, though he ultimately completed it safely.
A summary of the incidents described by Kumar is provided below:
| No. | Film Title | Release Year | Type of Stunt | Nature of Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sainik | 1993 | Suspended wire transfer between buildings | Loss of grip, risk of falling from height |
| 2 | International Khiladi | Not specified | Hanging from boat near moving catamaran | Risk of severe bodily injury from passing vessel |
| 3 | Khiladi 786 | Not specified | Descent from helicopter to hot air balloon | High-altitude stunt with potential fatal outcome |
Kumar reiterated that he continues to perform many of his own stunts. When asked whether his wife, Twinkle Khanna, objects to such risks—particularly given instances where he has performed fire-related acts during award shows—he indicated that she has become accustomed to these aspects of his professional life.
These accounts highlight the risks associated with performing high-intensity action sequences in film production, particularly when undertaken without the use of stand-ins.