Does this add to an actor’s persona in any way?
Whether it is learning a new craft like playing a musical instrument or performing one’s own stunts, I think every new thing that an actor learns makes him more attractive and adds to his persona and value. A good example is Hrithik Roshan, who can perform the entire spectrum of acting, dancing, action scenes, doing comedy etc.

What is the most important thing when performing stunts?
A certain level of fitness is required of any actor before he can attempt doing stunts.

When did you first attempt to do your own stunts?
I come from a very sporty background, so it was very important for me to do everything myself. I have been doing my own action scenes since my very first film Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne.

So our heroes are at par with the Hollywood stars?
That’s a wrong impression. For reasons of safety, no Hollywood actor is allowed to perform his own stunt. They are not allowed anywhere near an action scene! They only do what is required to do of them and that is to act! It will be some time for us to come near that level.

What was the training for Blue like?
Most of our stunts were underwater, and going 90 feet underwater among sharks is as dangerous as riding a bike on a moving train! All of us including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and I had to undergo intensive physical training for Blue. Remember, since both our mouths and noses are covered when diving underwater, the body’s balance is maintained by the ears. Any sort of blockage in the ears and you suffer vertigo. And underwater vertigo is dangerous, as everything suddenly appears upside down!

Did you face any anxious moments during the shooting?
Yes! It was the time I had sinusitis and 40 feet underwater, one of my ears got blocked. Suddenly I felt dizzy, and everything in front of me went haywire. Thankfully, I did not panic, I just shut my eyes and remembered my trainer’s instructions to breathe normally. Then slowly I was taken back on the surface.

Has any other film given you anxious moments?
It was Mission Istaanbul. Though the stunts involved were not dangerous, it was the minus-zero degree temperature that made it very painful. Even a scratch at this temperature hurts like hell and when I jumped off a four-storeyed building, just touching down was traumatic. There was also a scene where I had to ride a bike on top of a train, and in the nick of time escaped an electric wire that was hanging down!

What would you like to say to a person performing stunts?
Never panic if things start to go wrong. Keep your cool and you can wriggle out of a situation safely.