Stunt choreographer Jolly Bastian passes away

Team Udayavani, Dec 27, 2023, 9:41 AM IST

Renowned stuntman and action sequence director Jolly Bastian passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack on Tuesday, December 26, at the age of 57. His sudden demise has deeply saddened many in the industry.

Jolly, known for his direction of action sequences across various languages, including Kannada, served as a stunt director for several notable films such as ‘Premaloka’ and ‘Masterpiece.’

Born in 1966 in Kerala, Batian was brought up in Bengaluru. His journey from being a bike mechanic to an esteemed action director was noteworthy. His first stunt assignment was at the age of 17 as a double for actor Ravichandran in “Premaloka.”

Having contributed to over 900 films in Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam, Jolly’s expertise in crafting thrilling stunts was widely acknowledged. From performing stunts in ‘Masterpiece’ to his directorial debut in ‘Ninangagi Kadiruve,’ he captivated audiences with his dynamic action sequences.

Jolly’s dedication to his craft earned him the distinction of being the highest-paid action director at one point in time. His commitment to pushing the boundaries in stunt choreography was evident in films like “Putnanja,” “Annaiah,” and “Shanti Kranti,” despite the inherent risks associated with his profession.