Actress Lara Dutta, who debuted in Andaaz opposite Akshay Kumar, revealed she had a terrifying experience of nearly drowning while filming a dance sequence in the sea. At the time, Lara didn’t know how to swim and was swept away by strong waves along with Akshay.
Recalling the incident in a conversation with Asian Television Network Canada, Lara said, “I went underwater wearing leather, didn’t know how to swim, sank like a rock.” Akshay Kumar grabbed her and brought her safely back to the beach. She went into hypothermic shock, the shoot was paused, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Years later, when Akshay recommended her for the underwater adventure film Blue, which required extensive ocean sequences, Lara initially declined, saying she couldn’t take it. Akshay’s advice was simple: “Learn swimming.”
“At 30, he asked me to learn diving. I said, ‘Mai hi pagal mili hoon’ (Do you think I am crazy?),” Lara recalled. But she took his advice seriously, learned to swim, and overcame the fear left by her experience on Andaaz.
Directed by Anthony D'Souza and starring Sanjay Dutt and Zayed Khan, Blue released in 2009. While it wasn’t a major box office success, it helped Lara conquer her phobia and boosted her confidence.
Lara Dutta was last seen in the film Ishq-e-Nadaan.
#From NDTV