Showing posts with label Aejaz Gulab. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aejaz Gulab. Show all posts
Ranveer Singh is the first actor I know who takes notes on fights and choreography-Oh Sea Young
3:56 PM
Dhurandhar The Revenge’s action director, Oh Sea Young, reveals how Ranveer Singh became a killing machine by writing down each fight sequence and seeking demos
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 2, 2026)
Relentless action fuels the almost four-hour saga that is Dhurandhar The Revenge. To bring his story from paper to screen, filmmaker Aditya Dhar roped in action directors Oh Sea Young, Yannick Ben, Aejaz Gulab, and Ramazan Bulut. According to Young, the film has shaped up as a stylised action fare for two reasons — Dhar’s vision and leading man Ranveer Singh’s “obsession”.
“Ranveer is a beast — pure energy,” Young told mid-day. Even as the South Korean stunt director has worked with several action heroes in Bollywood, he noted that Singh’s dedication to perfect the scenes is almost unmatched.
“He is the first actor I know who takes notes on fights and choreography. He’d ask things like, ‘If I’m throwing a right hook, where is my left hand?’ He would write everything down. He even asked for demos right before the camera rolled. I was shocked he hadn’t done a pure action film before. Ranveer can master it in a short time through sheer obsession.”
From Singh’s bathroom fight sequence to the last train scene with Arjun Rampal, Young shared that every set-piece has turned out sharp because of Dhar. Apparently the director had a four-step process.
He noted, “First we’d build mock sets in the studio to design the choreography, film our test version, and then refine it with the director. Then came the actor training, followed by final rehearsals on the shoot day. The director explained action the way he does emotions, detailing the vibe and the grit he wants.”
That climax!
Oh Sea Young and Aejaz Gulab choreographed the final fight sequence between Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal that begins in a mosque, shifts to the fields and the container yard, and ends in a train. “It was the most challenging scene to shoot. We spent more than 20 sessions on that climax alone,” exclaimed Young.
Lean crew on film sets leave countless of artistes in dire straits
8:18 AM
Even as big-ticket movies go on floors, make-up artistes, stuntmen, spot boys struggle to land projects as makers hand-pick skeletal crews for shoot
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 12, 2020)
At a glance, the picture looks promising — with several big productions having gone on floors in the past few weeks, the wheels of the entertainment industry appear to be turning again. But delve deeper, and one may observe that a chunk of the industry workforce is reeling under severe economic strain. As the state government's guidelines recommend having a lean crew on the set, stars and producers have been compelled to cut down on their teams, leaving countless artistes — including make-up and hairstyling artistes, stuntmen, technicians and spot boys — in dire straits.
A make-up artiste who used to work closely with a leading star, who is slated to leave for a shoot in north India next week, notes that while the head of each department has emerged unscathed, the bottom of the pyramid is the worst affected. "The number of actors hired is still the same, but the crew is suffering the brunt of the SOPs [standard operating procedures]. My friends and I have been dropped from projects because more often than not, the makers will choose our bosses over us for an assignment," she says.
Naahid Shah, who is serving as a stylist on Sanjay Gupta's Mumbai Saga, points out that the current situation hasn't favoured the top rung either. "I have four assistants who are my salaried employees. So, I pay their fees from my pocket." Shah works with her assistants on a rotational basis, thus ensuring everybody is given a fair chance. "But, there are financial pressures at the top too. For instance, I was to do a web show in April, but its shoot was called off due to the lockdown. Now, the makers are ready to begin work on the show, but the OTT platform has hired only the main stylist." She hopes the situation will improve by January with more projects going on floors.
Aejaz Gulab, general secretary, Movie Stunt Artistes Association, reveals that his men are facing a similar predicament. "Earlier, fight sequences would include 15 stuntmen; now, it has come down to five. The move has particularly hit middle-aged artistes in the age group of 45 to 50 years. The action director and production heads decide who will be selected for the sequences. One can say this is the survival of the fittest, but what about the survival of others?" Even as he is grateful that the producers have resorted to pay cuts for body doubles and stuntmen, Gulab asserts that artistes should be hired on rotation. "The onus of looking out for everyone is on us. We are planning to meet the various producer associations [to settle the matter]."
Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan always favour us-Aejaz Gulab
8:28 AM
Movie Stunt Artist Association head says stuntmen relying on organisation's private fund to wade through tough times; will turn to stars if the need arises
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 19, 2020)
Even as various cine bodies — including Film & Television Producers' Guild of India and Federation of Western India Cine Employees — have rushed to the aid of the daily wage workers who are affected by the suspension of shoots due to Coronavirus, the Movie Stunt Artist Association assures that the stunt artistes of the industry are on safe ground for now.Talking to mid-day, Aejaz Gulab, general secretary of the association, says, "Stunt artistes fall under the bracket of daily wage workers and get paid Rs 4730 per shift. [But the difference is that] our wages are higher compared to those of lightmen or spot boys. So, we haven't received any complaint from members of the stunt team so far. Our association also has a special fund that has been accumulated through donations [over the years]; it has been developed for such crises."
While all shoots have been halted till March 31, buzz is that the suspension may well be extended to April. Gulab, well-aware that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks, shares that a meeting with members of the association is scheduled for March 26. "We will see if the funds are enough; if not, we will decide the way ahead. We haven't asked any [cine bodies] or stars for help yet. Who knows, we may get a helping hand from Sanjay Dutt or Salman Khan. We are thick with them, and they have always favoured us."
Akshay Kumar's help sought out for senior stuntmen's insurance scheme
3:40 PM
Two years after Akshay Kumar launched an insurance scheme for stunt artistes, the organisation seeks actor's help in securing medical coverage for senior stunt coordinators
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 1, 2019)
Two years since the death of stunt artiste Abdul Sattar Munna, who passed away in a road accident while travelling to the set of a Malayalam film, his family recently received compensation of Rs 20 lakh.The redressal is the result of Akshay Kumar's initiative — the actor, celebrated for his action hero image, had launched an insurance scheme for stunt choreographers in 2017. Now, Aejaz Gulab, general secretary, Movie Stunt Artists Association, has sought the aid of the superstar once again to secure insurance for senior stuntmen.
"Two years ago, getting compensation of Rs 20 lakh for a stuntman's family was impossible. But Akshay sir stepped in and procured accident insurance policies and mediclaim insurance for the 550 stuntmen registered with us. He even pays our premium," says Gulab, adding that now, it's time to direct their attention on the senior members in the fraternity. "Insurance companies only cover those between 18 to 55 years of age. The benefit is not extended to those above the age bracket."
As of today, Gulab informs, Bollywood has close to 50 action choreographers who are older than 55 years of age. "If something were to happen to any of them at work, we wouldn't be able to raise enough money via donations to support their families. In most cases, they are the sole breadwinners in the family. It's a double whammy for them — while the younger stuntmen are receiving cashless treatment, the senior ones are either letting go of good work since they don't have medical cover, or going to work with risk looming large over them."
He appraised Kumar of the situation in a meeting on Friday. The superstar has promised to put his might behind the cause. "I have spoken to Akshay sir. After he got insurance for our community, we are hoping for another miracle."
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