When Rohit Shetty revealed he was Akshay's body double in the 1994 film Suhaag | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

When Rohit Shetty revealed he was Akshay Kumar's body double in the 1994 film Suhaag: 'I learnt his walk'

Mar 14, 2022 07:07 AM IST

Rohit Shetty started his career as an assistant director and stunt performer. In 1994, he was the stunt double of actor Akshay Kumar, who he later directed in Sooryavanshi.

Rohit Shetty is one of the most successful filmmakers in India currently. He holds the record for most consecutive 100-grossers by any Bollywood director. But it wasn't always such smooth sailing for him. In fact, Rohit began his career as an assistant director and stunt performer. A few years ago, he even revealed that for one film in the 90s, Rohit was Akshay Kumar's body double. (Also read: Rohit directs India's Got Talent group's performance; fans ask if it's allowed)

Before directing him in Sooryavanshi, Rohit Shetty had worked as Akshay Kumar's stunt double in Suhaag (1994).
Before directing him in Sooryavanshi, Rohit Shetty had worked as Akshay Kumar's stunt double in Suhaag (1994).

Rohit made this revelation on an episode of the fifth season of the reality show Great Indian Laughter Challenge back in 2017. The show was judged by Akshay Kumar, along with Sajid Khan and Shreyas Talpade. Rohit appeared with the cast of his film Golmaal Again - Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, Arshad Warsi, and Tushhar Kapoor - on the show in October 2017. There, Akshay joked that when Rohit first met him as an assistant director on the sets of the 1994 film Suhaag, he used to call him sir.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

At this, Rohit blushed and said, "During Suhaag, I was actually his body double. I even learnt his walk for it." Then, on Akshay's insistence, Rohit copied Akshay's walk on the show's stage. Rohit eventually directed Akshay in his 2021 film Sooryavanshi, which was among the highest-grossing films of the year.

Speaking to Bollywood Now last year, Rohit addressed this change and said, "I feel I am blessed and fortunate that I got this opportunity. I have only worked hard, which everyone does. But somewhere, I feel that I am quite lucky to have reached this stage."

Suhaag, directed by Kuku Kohli, also starred Ajay Devgn, Karisma Kapoor, and Nagma. It was a hit at the box office and one of the highest-grossing films that year. Rohit worked as an assistant or second unit director in four other films before making his directorial debut with Zameen in 2003.

The filmmaker's next project is Cirkus, where Ranveer Singh is playing a double role for the first time in his career. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Pooja Hegde. The film is the official remake of the 1982 Gulzar comedy Angoor, which was itself based on the William Shakespeare play The Comedy of Errors.

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On