She's all of 20 and can kick as some of our leading heroes to shame.
Meet Sanobar, the youngest stunt artiste in Bollywood who has doubled up for actresses like Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu, Preity Zinta and Esha Deol.
This intrepid go-getter loves embracing challenges, even if it means risking her life. The latest dare devil stunts she has done for is Abbas-Mustan's upcoming Race, starring Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu and Katrina Kaif.
"There's no substitute for the way I feel when I am doing stunts," enthuses Sanobar who also doubled up for Priyanka Chopra in a Hero Honda commercial.
Sanobar bares her heart out to Swati R Chaudhary.
You changed your spelling from Sanober to Sanobar. Why?
Yes, it was for astrological reasons. I strongly believe in astrology and God. Bejan Daruwala, who's like a father to me, suggested that I change it. And ever since I changed it, I can only see good things happening.
Male counterparts are given more opportunities than you.
Yes. Very few people know about me in the industry. Then there is the money factor. Certain people cannot afford me. They would rather rope in a man (who doubles up for an actress), and who would charge about Rs 2,000. Some even use a dummy.
What kind of stunts have you done? Which are the most recent ones?
I am adept at skydiving, helicopter jumping, kick fighting, fire stunts and cable works, and have done umpteen number of stunts like the Nakshatra diamond ad (with Aishwarya Rai) and more recently, the Hero Honda commercial where I'm riding the bike for Priyanka Chopra.
I have also doubled for Bipasha Basu and Katrina Kaif in Abbas-Mustan's Race, where I had to skid the car at a very high speed, on the edge of a mountain, without toppling over. It is a skillful driving technique that involves controlling various factors.
Tell us about your Bollywood stunts.
There was a taxing fire stunt in Dhoom where I had to jump off the stage with Uday Chopra. It was the dance sequence (Dhoom Machale) where the stage was set ablaze and Uday tries to rescue Esha Deol. It was very difficult for me since the flames were nine feet high.
I've also done stunts for Dhoom 2 like bungee jumping and bike riding stunts. Remember the scene where Aishwarya jumps off with Hrithik? Well, I executed the entire mass sequence though Aishwarya did do a few stunts herself.
Other stunts I did were for an English film, The First Lear and Veer Zaara (for Preity Zinta).
Which has been your most challenging stunt to date?
The Mahendra Renault ad was the most dangerous stunt of my life. You see it for 30 seconds on TV but no one knows what goes into those 30 seconds. I was nearly hanging out of the helicopter waiting for the truck to arrive. I precariously held on to a rod, which was very risky. Things could have gone haywire since I had to land on the truck and unlock myself.
One stunt you enjoyed the most?
A film like Dhoom 2 is every stunt artiste's delight. I enjoyed all the stunts in Dhoom 2.
What made you choose this high-voltage profession?
I was obsessed with speed and stunts ever since I was a kid. I got my Honda Hurricane (bike) while I was still in school. I began (the stunt profession) at the age of 15. Anything that challenges me as a stunt artiste is exciting.
Is the money and thrill worth your life?
I am not doing it for money. I am doing it because it's my passion. Besides, I am a physiotherapist and a weight loss consultant as well, so money is not a criteria.
