Posted:
Abhi's lying, says stunt double
TNN, Jun 21, 2010, 12.00am IST
Mani Ratnam's Raavan may have opened to a tepid response from critics, but the film and its lead actor are creating enough controversies to keep it in the news.
It turns out that Abhishek Bachchan's claims of having done the death-defying stunt in Raavan could be one big lie. Bangalore-based diving champion, MS Balram, has claimed it was his work.
Balram, a former national diving champion, said that while he has the deepest regard for both Abhishek and Mani Ratnam and is proud of his own appearance in Raavan, he wanted to set the record straight. Abhishek's breathtaking dive off a cliff into a raging river is part of the film's first few scenes where he is built up as this tough, manic brigand. The scene works wonderfully and which is why Abhishek claiming credit has riled Balram.
During his media interactions for Raavan's publicity, Abhishek spoke extensively about this stunt and how he went ahead and performed the 80-foot dive at the Hoggenakkal falls in Karnataka. "Though Mani Ratnam opposed it, I went ahead," is what he had told a news agency.
When asked the news agency reporter confirmed Abhishek had claimed no double was used for the scene.
Balram is embarrassed that he has had to speak out about the claim. "I don't want any publicity, nor do I want to create any controversy since I am a great fan of the Bachchans. Moreover, it is Mani Ratnam sir's movie. I only want the movie to do well. But it is true that I performed this thrilling stunt for Abhishek and was paid for it. I feel proud to have done this stunt."
More than one senior members of Mani Ratnam's unit were also categorical that it was a body double and not Abhishek who performed the stunt.
Balram, who monitors the coaching at the Kempe Gowda Swimming Pool in Hanumanthanagar in Bangaluru, said he got the offer in 2008 from a friend who was working on Mani Ratnam's team.
"My brother Bhushan coaxed me to take it up. I did and joined the shooting team and went to Hoggenakkal, where the stunt was performed. A special team surveyed the diving point and gave the green signal. The place was full of rocks, even under water. Then I tested it in front of the team by diving into the water. After that, I was selected to perform the stunt. I did several dry runs before it was actually shot on the morning of December 19, 2008. I am happy to have done the risky stunt for the great Abhishek Bachchan. And I am glad to have worked with Mani Ratnam sir."
Around the time Abhishek went around talking about his non-achievement, one of Mani Ratnam's assistants sent an SMS to Balram which read, "As promised, you have got a special credit in the rolling titles as Abhishek's body double. So let Abhishek say anything, it is there for the people to see. And from the credit you have got, it can be assumed by people that you did all the major stunts and not just the dive."
Abhishek could not be contacted because his phone was switched off. SMSes sent to him went unanswered. Spokesperson for Raavan, Parull Gossain, refused to comment.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Abhis-lying-says-stunt-double/articleshow/6070853.cms
TNN, Jun 21, 2010, 12.00am IST
Mani Ratnam's Raavan may have opened to a tepid response from critics, but the film and its lead actor are creating enough controversies to keep it in the news.
It turns out that Abhishek Bachchan's claims of having done the death-defying stunt in Raavan could be one big lie. Bangalore-based diving champion, MS Balram, has claimed it was his work.
Balram, a former national diving champion, said that while he has the deepest regard for both Abhishek and Mani Ratnam and is proud of his own appearance in Raavan, he wanted to set the record straight. Abhishek's breathtaking dive off a cliff into a raging river is part of the film's first few scenes where he is built up as this tough, manic brigand. The scene works wonderfully and which is why Abhishek claiming credit has riled Balram.
During his media interactions for Raavan's publicity, Abhishek spoke extensively about this stunt and how he went ahead and performed the 80-foot dive at the Hoggenakkal falls in Karnataka. "Though Mani Ratnam opposed it, I went ahead," is what he had told a news agency.
When asked the news agency reporter confirmed Abhishek had claimed no double was used for the scene.
Balram is embarrassed that he has had to speak out about the claim. "I don't want any publicity, nor do I want to create any controversy since I am a great fan of the Bachchans. Moreover, it is Mani Ratnam sir's movie. I only want the movie to do well. But it is true that I performed this thrilling stunt for Abhishek and was paid for it. I feel proud to have done this stunt."
More than one senior members of Mani Ratnam's unit were also categorical that it was a body double and not Abhishek who performed the stunt.
Balram, who monitors the coaching at the Kempe Gowda Swimming Pool in Hanumanthanagar in Bangaluru, said he got the offer in 2008 from a friend who was working on Mani Ratnam's team.
"My brother Bhushan coaxed me to take it up. I did and joined the shooting team and went to Hoggenakkal, where the stunt was performed. A special team surveyed the diving point and gave the green signal. The place was full of rocks, even under water. Then I tested it in front of the team by diving into the water. After that, I was selected to perform the stunt. I did several dry runs before it was actually shot on the morning of December 19, 2008. I am happy to have done the risky stunt for the great Abhishek Bachchan. And I am glad to have worked with Mani Ratnam sir."
Around the time Abhishek went around talking about his non-achievement, one of Mani Ratnam's assistants sent an SMS to Balram which read, "As promised, you have got a special credit in the rolling titles as Abhishek's body double. So let Abhishek say anything, it is there for the people to see. And from the credit you have got, it can be assumed by people that you did all the major stunts and not just the dive."
Abhishek could not be contacted because his phone was switched off. SMSes sent to him went unanswered. Spokesperson for Raavan, Parull Gossain, refused to comment.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Abhis-lying-says-stunt-double/articleshow/6070853.cms
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