With ‘Jawan’ hitting the theaters and Shahrukh Khan’s action-packed performance gaining applause, there’s one unsung hero who deserves recognition. Meet Prashant Walde, the man who stood in as Shahrukh Khan’s body double for the film’s thrilling action sequences.
Prashant Walde the Unseen Hero of ‘Jawan
In a recent interview, Prashant shared his excitement when director Atlee offered him the opportunity to work on ‘Jawan.’ During the teaser shoot, Prashant sensed that something monumental was in the making, surpassing even the grandeur of ‘Pathan.’ He recounted a set filled with 1500 crew members, all aware of the impending cinematic spectacle.
Behind-the-Scenes with Prashant Walde
Prashant dedicated 130 days to ‘Jawan,’ working closely with Shahrukh Khan on various action scenes. While Shahrukh handled scenes with close-ups, Prashant played a vital role in wide shots, including one memorable sequence inside a smoke-filled train. In this particular scene, Shahrukh emerges from the train, firing a gun, with his face partially obscured. Atlee entrusted Prashant with this role, even though the thick smoke led to a temporarily choked throat.
Another noteworthy moment involved a scene where Shahrukh Khan embraces his on-screen father, played by Prashant. As Shahrukh transitioned between young and older character stages, Prashant seamlessly transformed from son to father. Notably, the most time-consuming aspect was replicating Shahrukh’s bald look, which required extensive makeup. Due to this, Prashant shot in this particular look every other day, enduring rashes and boils on his skin as a testament to his dedication to the role.