‘Stree 2’ is making a splash in theatres these days and 7.7 feet tall actor Sunil Kumar, who is playing the role of Sarkate Pret in the film, is getting immense popularity. But do you know that he has also made a big contribution in another blockbuster of this year ‘Kalki 2898 AD’?
Amitabh Bachchan, who is playing the role of Ashwatthama in this film, looks much taller than Prabhas who is himself quite tall. The reason for this is Sunil Kumar. Sunil has played the role of Amitabh’s body double in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and the character of Ashwatthama has been created by superimposing Amitabh’s face on his body through special effects. Sunil has now told how his experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan was.
Got film offers because of height
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sunil, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police, said that because of his height, he started getting offers for ad films and South Indian films. Similarly, he also got an offer for ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, which he happily accepted. Sunil says, ‘My family was also very excited because we all have been fans of Amitabh Bachchan. And here I got a chance to become his body double. The shoot was also very fun because I also got to do a lot of stunts.’
Big B took a photo together
Recalling his first meeting with Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil said that he will never forget this moment. Sunil told that when he reached for the scene, Amitabh and Prabhas were sitting together. ‘I was getting ready for my action sequence, wearing the harness. Then Amit sir (Amitabh) looked at me. He came to me and asked the camera person to take a picture with me. He smiled and said- ‘Everyone calls me Lambu, today I found someone taller than me” Sunil told.
Face not shown in two big movies
In ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, the body was Sunil’s but the face was Amitabh Bachchan’s, and in ‘Stree 2’ too, his face was replaced by a VFX designed face. Did Sunil not feel bad that people could not recognize him in both the films? In response to this, he smiled and said, ‘At first, some of my friends said what is the use of such a role in which no one can recognize you. However, I have always been happy and satisfied with my work. But in ‘Stree 2′, I was given credit and the director talked about me. My photos went viral and since then I have not looked back. Everyone is happy with the recognition I have received. I am getting more offers of work and I am now excited for a new journey.’
‘Kalki 2898 AD’ was the biggest Hindi film of the year for a long time and it is the highest grossing Indian film of the year so far. ‘Stree 2’, released on 15 August, has now become the biggest Hindi film and India’s second top film at the worldwide box office. Sunil has a big role in bringing both these films to the big screen, even though people may not have seen his real face on screen.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)