How Alia Bhatt's action Prowess has blown away Craig Macrae in 'Alpha'- Action coordinator REVEALS

In an exclusive interview with India Forums, Craig Macrae, a distinguished action director and stunt coordinator shares insights on what makes an action sequence truly memorable, working with Bollywood's top actors, the evolution of female-led action films, and the impact of AI and CGI on traditional stunt work. He also shared his views on Alpha and how Alia Bhatt, Sharvari put their A-Game for the film.

Q: Can you name an actor you've recently worked with who was so dedicated that it made things easier for you?

Craig Macrae: We’ve been very lucky to work with many actors who are extremely determined to make their action look good and their characters shine. Obviously, someone like Shah Rukh Khan jumps out immediately. He is an unbelievable professional and an incredible human being. He is super respectful of crews and ensures he is part of the process rather than making it all about himself. He is really inspiring and a lovely person to work with.

But there are many others like Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, who are at the top of their field for a reason. They're all action stars. Alia is going to be an action star now as well. Shah Rukh and all of them are dedicated to delivering exceptional performances, which makes our job easier and more rewarding.

Q: In Bollywood, female-led action films are rare. You’ve worked with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in Alpha, so how did they handle the challenge?

Craig Macrae: We were very aware of Bollywood's history regarding female-led action movies. It ultimately came down to how much effort the actresses were willing to put in, and they gave 110%.

They trained for months before filming even started. They followed strict fitness regimens and were already training with a specialized stunt trainer, Jason, who came from the U.S. He worked with them on foundational skills, reaction training, fight techniques, weapons handling (knives, guns, and staffs), and wirework.

When my team and I arrived, we spent nearly two months working with them on advanced versions of what Jason had taught them. Both Alia and Sharvari were incredibly focused and determined to deliver a proper action performance. I think Alpha is going to blow audiences away and change the entire Bollywood landscape. Their dedication was inspiring, and my team and I had to match their energy. We pushed them hard, and I believe the result will be truly memorable.

Both Alia and Sharvari were incredibly focused and determined to deliver a proper action performance. I think Alpha is going to blow audiences away and change the entire Bollywood landscape. Their dedication was inspiring, and my team and I had to match their energy. We pushed them hard, and I believe the result will be truly memorable.

- Craig Macrae

Q: With advancements in CGI, motion capture, and AI, do you think traditional stunts are becoming less relevant, or does technology make things easier for you?

Craig Macrae: AI and VFX can be seen as a threat to certain positions in the industry, and right now, the entire industry is still figuring out how to adapt to these technologies. However, I believe that every new piece of technology enables filmmakers to do more. The key is to use these tools rather than be replaced by them.

So long as we adapt and integrate these technologies into our workflow, we will always have a place in storytelling. AI and CGI should be used as tools to enhance our work, not as a magic bullet. They will never replace the creativity and ambition of storytellers, whether they work in writing, action direction, or any other aspect of filmmaking. Our focus is on using these advancements to make our work even better.

Craig Macrae's insights give us a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind crafting breathtaking action sequences. From the dedication of actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt to the evolving role of technology in filmmaking, his expertise highlights the immense collaboration required in action cinema.

Alpha starring Ali Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh in pivotal roles is all set to hit the big screens this year and will be seen taking YRF's spy universe even further with it's compelling story line and heart-pounding action.