Two actors have died in a stunt gone wrong at Tippagondanahalli lake on Magadi Road, 35km west of Bengaluru. The stunt was part of the shooting for the film “Maasti Gudi” starring Duniya Vijay.
As part of the stunt, Vijay and two other actors, Anil and Uday, jumped into the lake from a helicopter. While Vijay was rescued, the two other actors did not surface. A search operation is on to find the duo. A video from the incident shows the two actors screaming for help, even as Vijay swims.
The incident took place at around 3 pm on Monday. Sources allege that adequate safety measures were not taken during the shoot, and prior rehearsal for the shoot had not taken place.
A team consisting of expert swimmers are on the spot searching for the two men. Meanwhile, their friends at the spot say they were not expert swimmers. It is also not known whether all three actors had safety harnesses.
There were a few channels covering the stunt and reporters on the spot say that only Duniya Vijay had a safety harness, while the other two didn't. There were reportedly no ambulances or speed boats on standby to help if needed. Since the stunt scene had been a much publicized one, there were channels at the spot covering it.
In an interview to Public TV, Anil told the reporter, "I know swimming. But first time I am jumping from a height. So I am a bit nervous, not sure what will happen. I only know a little swimming. I have only swum in a well where you reach the edge after two or three strokes. That’s all the swimming I know. I’ve never had practice swimming 30 or 60ft lengths."
Uday added, "There was no specific preparation for this scene. I have come. There are some masters. Vijay is there. The three of us will just jump. That’s all I know. The rest is up to God."
These are the two men who are feared drowned.