Amitabh Bachchan defies age for a daring stunt for Bhootnath

Amitabh Bachchan dared his age (65 years) in Ravi Chopra’s film Bhootnath and performed a ‘heart-in-the-mouth’ stunt that would have scared the hell out of actors half his age. Big B still gets charged up while doing challenging scenes. This was evident on the sets of ‘Bhootnath’, which is being directed by Vivek Sharma.

Amitabh says “I think far too much is being made out of the stunt. Yes, every action- stunt has its potential dangers and the action directors take adequate precautions and follow safety routines. You could slip and fall while walking ordinarily and break a bone and conversely, not get a scratch by jumping off a building for a film’s action sequence. The stunt I did for Bhootnath was relatively safe. But because of my recent surgery and my several other complicated medical conditions, there was an obvious anxiety. However things went off without any incident. Thank God!”

While performing a stunt in 1983 Big B had suffered a near-fatal injury. “I still remember all the prayers and good wishes of the people. I wouldn’t have survived without them.” Amitabh adds.

Sources from the sets say that the superstar was harnessed with safety cables before doing the stunt. And then he jumped off the first floor. Since the shot had to be taken many times, Big B remained suspended in the air with the help of cables in between the shots. After the shot Sharma did heave a sigh of relief but he also had admiration for Big B’s stamina and energy.

Having done this stunt at 65, Amitabh admits that he wouldn’t allow his son to do the same. “I would not permit Abhishek to do his own stunts. I always ask him to use discretion and take immense precaution.”

“I’m pretty much tied up till the end of next year. I guess I’m lucky to be working so much at my age” says Big B.