Veteran stunt master Jolly Bastian, 57, dies following a heart attack

Veteran stunt master Jolly Bastian passed away following a massive heart attack at his residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday night. He was 57. He had worked in more than 900 Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films.

Jolly Bastian's legacy in the entertainment industry

The bigwigs of the southern film industry, especially from the Kannada film industry where he began his career, expressed shock and paid condolences. Born in Alleppey, Kerala, Jolly Bastian was brought up in Bengaluru.

While performing a stunt on a bike, Jolly Bastian was spotted by renowned filmmaker and hero V. Ravichandran, and he started working as his stunt double. He had worked in most of Ravichandran’s movies as stunt master.

Originally a bike mechanic, Jolly Bastian went on to become a top stunt master. He made his debut as a director with the movie Ninagaagi Kaadiruve in 2009. Jolly Bastian directed stunts for KGF fame superstar Yash’s Masterpiece, a Kannada movie. Jolly Bastian also contributed to Kannada star and director Duniya Vijay’s yet to be released film Bheema.

Jolly Bastian's passion for his work

Over time, Jolly honed his craft, becoming an authority in high-octane stunt work, leaving an indelible mark on over 900 Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam films.  Jolly's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication propelled him to push boundaries with every stunt, imprinting his impact on notable films such as Putnanja, Annaiah, and Shanti Kranti. Despite the inherent dangers of his profession, he fearlessly confronted each challenge, showcasing immense courage in the face of adversity.

His relentless commitment came at a cost; bearing visible scars and enduring injuries sustained during daring sequences, including a bike accident in Putnanja and a harrowing bomb blast scene in Bhale Chatura. Jolly's resilience in the face of such perils stands as a testament to his dedication to his craft and his unyielding passion for delivering unparalleled action on the silver screen.

(With inputs from IANS)