Just minutes before Kannada actors Uday and Anil hopped into a helicopter to do a stunt for the movie "Maasti Gudi", they told the cameras that they could not swim well. The stunt for the film, which was being shot at Tippagondanahalli reservoir went horribly wrong and the two men drowned.
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."
He also said that he was acrophobic (fear of heights).
Uday, known for his villainous roles in Kannada films, said, "This is the first time I am performing such a stunt. I get scared looking down from the first floor of a building. I hope that all will be fine with the grace of God.”
The stunt, which was being performed for the climax of the film, featured three actors - Duniya Vijay, Uday and Anil - jumping off a helicopter from a height of 100ft.
The stunt happened at Tippagondanahalli lake on Magadi Road, 35km west of Bengaluru. In videos that have surfaced since the incident, Vijay is seen wearing safety gear while the other two actors don't have any harness.
While Vijay was rescued by a coracle, the two other actors did not surface.
The stunt cost Rs 1.2 crore, producer Sundar P Gowda told TNIE a few days ago. As the stunt was a much publicised one, many TV channel crews had been invited to interview the actors and film the stunt.
A team of 10 emergency responders carried out rescue operations.
There was no ambulance or a rescue team in place during the stunt.
Ramnagara SP Chandragupta has told reporters that an FIR will be registered against the film crew for negligence.
You can watch Uday's interview here.