Aejaz Gulab is a true success story. A man who has made it big on his own merit after going through multiple trials and tribulations in his life. Starting out as a stunt double in the early 90s, Aejaz had a meteoric rise as a stunt man in the industry and soon rose to become the much sought after stunt director in Bollywood. While life has almost come a full circle now with him donning the directorial robes for Ab Tak Chappan 2, all this wouldn't have been possible without his mother's prayers and Salmam Khan's largesse. Read on to find more about this brave stunt director now a movie director.
How did movie direction happen?
I started off as a body double and graduated to becoming a stunt director. It was Ram Gopal Varma who inspired me to take up directing. I have worked with Ramu on many projects and during Rakhtcharitra he told me to take up direction but I was not ready then. When the sequel of Ab Tak Chappan 2 was ready RGV said that I should be directing this one and gave me a lot of confidence. I thought the time was ripe too and took it up as a challenge given the fact that the earlier one was a blockbuster and I have to make sure this one lives up to the expectations.
But RGV is no longer associated with Ab Tak Chappan 2. Was the going difficult without his presence?
No. I have collaborated with Ramu sir and many other directors in the past. Also, this movie is in my zone given that there is action. Plus it's a sequel and the characters were already etched out and I just had to follow the story. So directing was not difficult.
How real is the action?
Well, my cop is not a superman in the movie. The action is as real as it happens out there. You won't see cars or bikes flying unnecessarily in my movie.
Nana is reprising his role after 10 years. How was it directing him?
Nana is still one of the fittest actors around. More fit than many in the industry. I have known and worked with him for a long time. So the rapport was already there. He also inspires others on sets to give their best shots. My actors are not glamorous but they are talented.
Let's rewind a bit to your earlier days. How was your first day at work?
It was in 1989. I was asked to play the body double of Hema Malini in Insaaf Bhavani Ka.
And...
I was overwhelmed first and then felt pressurised because Hemaji was a legend. But then I took it up as a challenge and delivered the shot.
Which other prominent actors have you played the body double for?
Oh everyone. Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman, Suniel Shetty, Hrithik, Jackie Shroff, Akshay Kumar...
Akshay Kumar too. We have heard that he does his own stunts?
Yes he does most of his stunts. But in certain cases like a glass breaking scene, the director will not risk using an actor. In such scenes, the face of the actor is not visible and you can't risk using the actor because if he is hurt especially in the face which is anyways not seen in the shot then huge losses would be incurred. A lot rides on these actors.
Which has been your most dangerous stunt?
A stunt from Baazi where I was the body double for Aamir Khan and I was required to jump off a building. I did and swung straight into a window which injured my shin. Then there was this body burning stunt in Ghulam where I played the body double for Dalip Tahil while he sets himself on fire. I was not wearing a fire proof suit and my face was naked too. I just wrapped myself in banana leaves and set myself on fire (smiles).
How do you stay safe while performing such stunts?
We use great safety these days but injuries do happen. I suffered a grievous one while shooting for Salman Khan's Veergati. I was playing the body double for character artist Zubair. In one shot, Salman bhai kicks all of us from the building. Boxes were kept for us to land while falling down but unfortunately I landed with a thud and broke my left femur bone into two. It was in 1995 and I was left bedridden.
How did you make a comeback?
All because of one man called Salman Khan. At that time, everyone advised me to not go in for surgery as they said my bone would be grafted and my leg would become shorter. I turned to Ayurveda but to no avail. I spent the next four days at home really scared. Finally when Salman came to know about it, he came to my house in Mumbai Central. I was living in a chawl then. Salman came there and said, 'Don't worry. Get operated. I will bear all your medical expenses.' I was then taken to Nanawati hospital in an ambulance arranged by Salman and he asked his brother Sohail to take care of my every need. After that surgery, I have performed many other stunts like leaping off a helicopter, car, bike and all this has been possible because of Salman. I owe a major part of my success to Salman.
How does your family react when you do stunts?
Only my mother knew about my stunts. I have never till date told my wife what I do on sets. And whenever I used to leave my house, my mother used to say a prayer. It's because of her that I am alive.
What's next after Ab Tak Chappan 2?
I want to direct a cop story with Salman Khan and Nana Patekar in the lead roles. I haven't told Salman about the film yet because I believe in approaching someone only after proving your worth. And I am hoping Ab Tak Chappan 2 will hit the bull's eye post which I can bounce off my next film.
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