Today, if any person comes and tells you that no body doubles were a part of a particular film, there are more chances of you laughing it off rather than believing it. But as they say, ‘you have to see it to believe it’. Taking perfection to another level, actor Mangesh Desai took it upon himself to portray Bhagwan Dada in the late actor’s biopic Ekk Albela, authentically. And in the process, the door to body doubles on the sets of Ekk Albela were shut. To portray a man who spent his life in the akhadas and one who was not just known as a dancing superstar but also someone who did his own stunts, Mangesh felt it would do justice him justice if Mangesh did the same.
Be it jumping from 22 feet or doing sword-fight sequences, Mangesh pulled it off without any body doubles. Director Shekhar Sartandel was in awe of the actor’s commitment and said, “Despite suffering an eye injury, Mangesh continued shooting. It’s really commendable.”
Recalling his experiences, Mangesh said, “This is the first time in my life that I have done action. I was sceptical at the beginning but took it as a challenge, like any actor would.”
Ekk Albela, produced by Manglmurti Films and Kimaya Motion Pictures, is set to release on June 24.
