Akshay Kumar recovers from back problem, returns to doing stunts
By Subhash K. Jha, IANSThursday, February 11, 2010
MUMBAI - After undergoing treatment for his back in Germany, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has returned to doing what he does best - dangerous action stunts.
Before he left for his back treatment, Akshay Kumar was unsure if he could ever return to normal health-related activities that he liked, let alone action sequences. In fact, Vipul Shah’s action-laden climax for “Action Replay” which was to be shot after Akshay’s return, was seriously jeopardized.
But after the hydro-therapy that he underwent in Germany last week, Akshay Kumar returned to work, more confident than ever before, ready and eager to shoot heart-stopping stunts for “Action Replay”.
When Vipul offered to change the climax, Akshay laughed and told him to change his plans to change.
Speaking from Manori where director Vipul Shah shot Akshay’s action sequences with action director Allan Amin immediately after the actor’s return from Germany, the director confided: It’s true we were very unsure about what shape Akshay’s back would be in once he returned from his hydro treatment. The climax of ‘Action Replay’ required very complex and strenuous stunts on wire-cables. I offered to change the climax and do away with the cable stunts.”
“After all those are tough even for actors with normal healthy backs. Akshay told me to wait until his return before taking a final call, he added.
The actor’s recovery post his treatment has been far more quick and complete than imagined.
Vipul just can’t stop gawking at the actor’s recovery level. Why just me? The entire cast including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and others just can’t believe Akshay’s capacity to bounce back on his feet.”
“Here we were thinking of doing away the cable stunts and somehow managing the climactic action without the planned aerial shots. But Akshay has been wired and suspended midair for almost a week now. Cable stunts are really tough on the back. But Akshay was super-confident on his return.
Akshay was so kicked by the idea of starting afresh on his newly-repaired back that he even encouraged Kirron Kher to join him on the cables in Manori.
Vipul said: A shot required her to join Akshay in the air. Kirronji was at first hesitant. But we assured her it was fully safe to be suspended with cables. Akshay is so charged and enthusiastic he will soon have the whole cast and crew on cables. We are shooting funny action sequences. But hanging midair from thousands of feet is as dangerous whether done for fun or otherwise.
Akshay who sounded discernibly pained before his restorative trip to Germany is raring to go. I’m back on my feet and doing action scenes for Vipul’s film. The treatment worked fully and I am completely recovered, he said.
Apparently, Akshay has recommended the hydro-treatment to Sunny Deol who suffers a chronic back problem and has undergone major surgeries to repair his back. For Akshay, surgery was never an option, even when his back had given way a decade back and he was laid up for six months.
