Our heroes are no lessthan Tom Cruise: Stun Siva

Most of us love cheering for our favourite heroes when they pull off edge-of-the-seat action moments on screen, but often do not bother to acknowledge the risk-takers behind it. The fact is, we hardly admire those who risk their lives to amp up the action scenes, while the stars with huge fan following walk away with all our applause. They say cinema is team work; but nobody invests blood and sweat like the fight masters in the industry.One of the busiest stunt choreographers in the south film industry, Stun Siva has helmed action scenes for around 100 movies, which include Bollywood projects and even a French film. In a tête-à-tête with us, he talks about his career spanning three decades, his experience working with popular heroes, why Kollywood films can’t match Hollywood in executing stunt sequences, and more...
Siva says that he, too, entered the industry like many others, by just looking at its glamour from outside in 1986, and was interested in donning the greasepaint. “But I had no idea about what I should do and how to foray into cinema,” he begins, adding, “My uncle Natarajan, a specialist in bike stunts, was instrumental in my debut in films. I have always been a huge fan of action movies and I joined as a stuntman despite knowing that it is the toughest of all crafts in the industry. Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were my favourite stars back then. I started doing stunts with bike — like wheeling, skidding, and then horse riding. Eventually, I learnt karate, boxing, gymnastics, and also the nuances of fight.”
He pauses for a while, and adds, “I never wanted to get stuck at a level — I was particular about going to the next level at regular intervals. I became a stunt master with the Vijay-starrer Love Today (1997), produced by RB Chowdhury. By then, I understood that unlike a stuntman, a stunt choreographer should have the technical know-how of camera angles, type of lens, convincing directors and producers.”
Though he has won accolades for many movies before, Siva believes that it was the opening scene in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu which made him much popular both on screen and off screen. All praise for Kamal Haasan and Gautham Menon, he says excitedly, “A chance to act along with Kamal sir in the opening scene of his film was more than I could ask for. I learnt a lot from Kamal sir. Now, after years, cinematographer-filmmaker Vijay Milton, who has been a friend of mine for around 20 years, offered a role in Goli Soda 2, which also registered among the audience.”
Siva avers that Suseenthiran’s Champion will showcase him as a one-of-a-kind antagonist. “I listened to the story for 10-15 minutes and agreed immediately. My character is so strong that filmmakers might approach me only for main villain roles once the film hits the screens. Vincent Selva’s Vettaiyan is another project on which I have pinned high hopes. When he told me that I’m playing the lead role, I was thrilled and apprehensive at the same time. The film will have some adrenaline-charged sequences which will be shot in forest with elephants in it,” he says.
According to him, stuntmen becoming busy artistes isn’t something new. Recollecting Mottai Rajendran’s career, he says, “He was my assistant for four years. While shooting for Pithamagan, Bala sir asked me if he is willing to act. Rajendran said he would join me back in a month’s time after completing his portions. But he went on to become a busy artiste.”
Imaikaa Nodigal, Adanga Maru, Kumki 2 and Haathi Mere Saathi are a few of the Tamil projects for which he is currently composing fight sequences. Apart from these, he is also at the helm of Karatekaaran, which stars his sons Kevin Kumar and Steven Kumar in lead roles. Loosely based on Karate Kid, he is planning things in such a way that the film gets released by April next year. “I have done extensive research on the nitty-gritty of karate — I along with my wife have travelled to 16 countries with them to understand various things associated with the martial art. My wife has written the script for the movie,” he reveals.
Siva, who says unapologetically that there was a time when he used to drink almost every evening, is now a changed man. He explains, “It’s been eight years since I quit all those habits. I’m quite disciplined now, especially after I took acting seriously. I do various exercises, and I have become particular about my eating habits, too. I’m more of a spiritual and family person now — spending time with them and concentrating on films make me happy like never before.”
Quiz him whether ego clashes occur among action choreographers like in the case of actors, quick comes the reply, “No, at least in my case. I have always maintained a cordial relationship with others. There are 600 members in our union which includes stuntmen, too. Our association’s golden jubilee event which was held last year was an evidence of our unity. We went out and met stars of different south industries to invite them for the event. Like I said earlier, bidding adieu to habits like drinking could be one reason I’m able to maintain a healthy rapport with all of them.”
One of the leading masters today in south, Siva says that the road to fame wasn’t easy, thanks to the injuries he suffered before becoming a fight master. While shooting for Pudhiya Mannargal, he had to jump from a bus after which he was injured severely. Flipping an auto for a film was another risky shot he remembers even today. “All these were before my marriage. I had to do all those to run my family, to support my parents. I used to get `5,000 and `10,000 for such scenes. The most horrifying injury of my career happened while shooting for Mister Romeo. I jumped from a bike and hit my chest badly; there was a blood clot and I was hospitalised for three months. I remember receiving blood transfusions to remove the clot. When I became a master, I have always ensured the safety of my boys,” he says with a smile.
Over the years, there’s been a considerable increase in the number of Hollywood film lovers in Tamil Nadu. Does that pose a challenge for our action choreographers to come up with exciting sequences with convincing executions? He opens up, “It is true that a certain section of audience is addicted to Hollywood action films and they expect a lot more from Tamil movies. I think budget constraint is our prime issue. The kind of risks Tom Cruise takes in his films…I’m sure our stars will also be ready to take up if we assure them complete safety. Be it Vijay, Ajith, Suriya or Vikram, they all will be ready to jump and take up risky scenes if they are convinced. Even today, Rajini sir is game for taking risks. Kamal sir is a step above everyone — I still remember him hanging in a container in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu.”
Stun Shiva considers his works in films like Pithamagan, Nanda, Ghajini (Hindi), Gabbar Is Back, Adhurs, Masterpiece, Power, Lakshmi, Billa (Telugu), etc, to be some of his finest works, and is now working on making a movie, which, according to him, will feature never-before-seen action sequences in Indian industry. “It might be a movie which has me as the hero, or a film that I might direct with my sons in lead roles,” he says excitedly.