Lights, camera, dive: Meet Bollywood's death-defying stunt woman Sanober Pardiwalla

The stunt work industry is a dynamic component of Bollywood. Known for its thrilling and high-energy sequences, it is largely a male-dominated field of work. Within this sphere, emerges Sanober Pardiwalla, who challenges stereotypes by embracing death-defying acts.

Remember the thrilling action scenes with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Dhoom 2 (2006) or Katrina Kaif in Jagga Jasoos (2017)? It was Pardiwalla who choreographed those stunts and not the leading actresses. Be it setting herself on fire, shattering glass, plummeting from great heights or executing action-packed sequences on fast-moving cars and motorcycles - Pardiwalla has earned a fearless reputation for herself.

Having concluded shooting for Tapsee Pannu and Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Dunki,' we reached out to the experienced stuntwoman. In an exclusive interview with Mid-day, she takes us through her adrenaline-packed journey.

The making of a stuntwoman
"My journey into stunt work began when I was just 12-years-old. I remember my first stunt vividly; it was during a commercial shoot where I was standing in for Aishwarya Rai. They asked me to perform a somersault from a height of 30 feet while wearing a safety cable," shared Pardiwalla, who has worked in more than 200 films.

Recalling her early aspirations, Pardiwalla reminisced, "When I expressed my desire to become a stuntwoman to my parents, they were initially quite concerned. They thought it might be a passing phase." Having earned a black belt in karate, excelling as a gymnast and honing her skills as a professional swimmer from an early age, Sanober embarked on her professional journey.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment, she shared, "I somersaulted in that advertisement, and it truly marked a life-altering experience for me. I recall the immense joy I felt during the performance, executing the stunt effortlessly. It was a moment that ignited my passion for the entire process, and from that point onward, there was no looking back."

Subsequently, her Bollywood debut took place when she stepped in as a body double for Urmila Matondkar in the film "Bhoot" (2003). Pardiwalla elaborated, "In 'Bhoot,' I was tasked with portraying a ghost who is forcefully ejected from a 16-storey building. After successfully executing that scene, my mother finally understood my genuine commitment to becoming a stuntwoman."

With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, she has carved a niche for herself. She's not just limited to one skill - her expertise spans mixed martial arts, deep-sea diving, gymnastics, and more. She has served as a stunt double for numerous top actresses, ranging from Alia Bhatt to Dimple Kapadia.

Thrills of performing a stunt
Let's journey back to the year 2004, a time when one of the most iconic films of that era, and even today, "Veer Zaara," graced the silver screen. While many may recall this movie for its melodious songs and captivating love story, for Pardiwalla, it was one of the most challenging stunts she has ever performed at the age of 18, as the stunt double for Priety Zinta.

She transports us to the scene where a passenger bus was traversing a mountainous terrain and tragically met with an accident, leading to the airlifting of its passengers. "As the sole survivor in the scene, portraying Priety Zinta, I had to cling to a precarious rock for dear life. Sounds straightforward, right?"
"However, when you find yourself suspended at an astonishing height of 400 feet, feeling the intense pressure from the helicopter above and the forceful winds intensifying the challenge, the situation becomes exceptionally demanding for a stunt artist. One must exercise patience and remain grounded, not letting the adrenaline of the scene carry them away. Considering the safety standards and conditions for stunt artists during that era, this stunt remains a remarkable memory," shares Pardiwalla.

Portraying Aishwarya Rai's stunt double in the movie "Dhoom 2" is another cherished memory that holds a special place in her heart. There are two significant reasons for this - firstly, it marked a nomination for the prestigious Taurus World Stunt Awards at the young age of 21 and secondly, the sheer thrill of performing the stunt.

If you recall the iconic sword heist scene featuring Aishwarya Rai and Mr. A in the movie, it was shot right here in Mumbai. "It was an exhilarating night of nonstop action sequences, involving bungee jumps, intricate movements and precision. From a storytelling perspective, this scene served as Aishwarya Rai's character's entry in the film, where she revealed her true identity to Hrithik Roshan's character."

"While some stunts were executed by the actress herself, she did so only after thorough mental preparation and rigorous rehearsals. As a stunt artist, the actress consulted with me to ensure the scene's utmost safety and perfection."

Furthermore, there was the challenging tunnel sequence that stands out in her memory. In this scene, she had the task of riding a 1000CC bike while maintaining balance with actor Hrithik Roshan perched on the narrow space of the fuel tank. This particular scene, where she was portraying the stunt double for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was indeed a tricky one.

Filming this sequence in a dark tunnel with limited space posed an added level of difficulty for a stunt artist, and it demanded absolute precision. "Having the opportunity to work as a stunt double for numerous Bollywood celebrities taught me a valuable lesson - to excel in stunts, one must remain composed and collected, even in the most challenging of situations."

Growing presence of women in filmmaking
Two decades ago, when Pardiwalla made her foray into Bollywood as a stuntwoman, female presence behind the camera was notably scarce. Fast forward to the present, and the landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. Pardiwalla believes that this shift is a compelling testament to the evolving narrative of how women are asserting their roles, not only in front of the camera but also behind it.

The notion of a 'stuntwoman' didn't exist back then. On film sets, the term 'stuntman' was the commonly used terminology. Pardiwalla reflects, "I was accustomed to hearing 'call the stuntman.' It took some time for the acceptance of the term 'stuntwoman' to gain recognition."

She now asserts her position as the most well-compensated stuntwoman in Bollywood, among a fraternity of approximately 1,000 stunt performers. However, she chooses not to disclose her specific earnings, explaining that such information might cause discomfort to many of her fellow stunt artists, given the higher rates she commands.

She further stated, "When people inquire about the gender pay gap in the industry, I advise them to view it with cautious optimism." She went on to emphasise, "Today if I hold the title of the highest-paid stuntwoman in Bollywood, it's not because of my gender. It's because my skill set is on par with or even superior to that of most male counterparts."

Renowned for her work as a stunt double for actors including Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, Preity Zinta, Urmila Matondkar and Aishwarya Rai, further elaborates on the matter.

She explains, "Women play pivotal roles across the entire spectrum of movie production, from lighting technicians to art directors. For example, when you examine the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films, you'll find that many talented female art directors have contributed their expertise to create those magnificent settings."

Staying active is the key
Presently, as a mixed martial artist, Sanober has achieved mastery in various disciplines, including Jujutsu, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, boxing and kickboxing. Additionally, she has demonstrated proficiency in welding various weapons, encompassing rifles and pistols for precision shooting, as well as the broadsword, staff, whip chain and samurai weaponry.

"I was deeply immersed in martial arts, achieving national-level recognition," she explains. "In the heat of combat, you come to realise that it's not just about the physical bout. It's about meticulous planning, strategising, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each move, and making lightning-fast calculations."

In addition to her passion for underwater stunts, she embarked on advanced deep-sea diving training. She has also obtained certifications in paragliding and skydiving.

She comments, "Being a stuntwoman is no walk in the park." She goes on to emphasise, "It demands continual physical fitness. To execute stunts effectively, it's crucial to consistently maintain a lean and robust physique, which necessitates rigorous training." At 35 years old, she has also established herself as an exercise physiologist, nutritionist and a sought-after celebrity fitness trainer.