The Risk of Stunts: When Do Actors Perform Their Own Tricks or Trust Others?

In the world of action-packed films and stunts, the safety and financial protection of the actors are paramount. Insurance companies and film producers have become increasingly cautious about the risks associated with on-screen stunts, leading to debates on whether actors should perform their own stunts or rely on stunt performers. This article delves into the dynamics of stunt actors, insurance premiums, and the policies in place to protect the stars of the silver screen.

Insurance and Stunt Performers: A Growing Acceptance

Recently, insurance companies have become more flexible regarding the payment of pensions for stunt performers in case of death or injury. For instance, they are willing to pay up to 10 to 30 lakh rupees for stunt performers. However, the situation is quite different when it comes to lead actors. The financial risk for lead actors is much higher, with the potential to pay between 150 to 180 crore rupees in the event of a fatal injury.

One notable example is Aadhavan Suriya, who was insured for 33 crores, but opted to perform his own stunts for a film. Despite the insurance, he nearly faced death due to insisting on taking on his own stunts. Following this incident, producers were less willing to let Suriya perform any action scenes himself, and instead opted for trained stunt performers.

A similar situation arose with Singam, where the premium for Suriya’s insurance was reduced to Rs. 4.5 crore if he did not perform any stunts. However, if he performed his own stunts, the premium skyrocketed to Rs. 24 crores. Ultimately, producers decided against Suriya performing his own stunts due to the associated risks.

Historical Perspective: The Evolution of Stunt Safety

From 2010 onwards, actors have been required to pay their own insurance premiums. Additionally, insurance companies have mandated a clause that clearly states actors should not perform any single stunt. This policy has evolved to ensure greater safety and financial security for the actors. For example, in the film Valimai, Ajith Kumar had to pay an insurance premium of 11 crore rupees for accidental death or disability without performing any stunts. In the event of an accident, his beneficiaries could potentially receive up to 150 crore rupees. However, if he decided to perform his own stunts and faced an accident, he would receive nada (nothing) in compensation.

This steep financial risk means that most actors are now wary of performing their own stunts. For instance, in the film Mankatha, Ajith Kumar signed a waiver, thereby ensuring that his family would receive no insurance benefit if he were to die unexpectedly during filming. Since then, Ajith has been more cautious about performing dangerous stunts.

Conclusion: A Balancing Act Between Art and Safety

The balance between ensuring the spectacle of stunts and the safety of the actors is a delicate one. While insurance companies and film producers are more willing to accept the risk for stunt performers, the financial and personal stakes are much higher for lead actors. This situation has forced a shift towards more careful planning and the use of trained stunt performers to mitigate risks. Ultimately, the safety of the actors is paramount, and financial incentives and insurance policies play a crucial role in ensuring this balance.

Keywords: stunt performers, actor premiums, insurance policies