Filmmaker Rohit Shetty revealed in a past interview that his mother, Ratna Shetty, performed some of the most dangerous stunt sequences for Hema Malini and other top actresses during Bollywood’s early action era. He said stunt work was a “family legacy,” long before harnesses, safety gear or special effects became part of Hindi cinema.

Speaking about his parents’ contributions to the industry, Shetty said his career in high-octane action comes from deep childhood exposure to stunt culture. He grew up watching both his father, action director M.B. Shetty, and his mother take on life-threatening sequences that shaped the foundation of Bollywood stunts.

Rohit Shetty on Ratna Shetty’s Bollywood stunt legacy

Director Rohit Shetty said his mother, Ratna Shetty, worked as a stunt double for some of Bollywood’s legendary actresses, including Hema Malini and Vyjayanthimala. In his conversation with ANI, he explained that many iconic sequences audiences assume were performed by top stars were in fact executed by Ratna.

“My mother used to do stunts. All the stunts you see in Seeta Aur Geeta, Vyjayanthimala rolling down the stairs — that’s her. Her physique was like that,” Rohit said.

Ratna Shetty was among the earliest female stunt performers in the industry, long before safety protocols existed. Her contribution became a crucial part of early Bollywood stunts, helping shape the action sequences of the 1960s and 1970s.

When Ratna Shetty doubled for Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna

Shetty shared another example from the celebrated 1972 hit Seeta Aur Geeta, in which Ratna performed several of Hema Malini’s action moments.

He added, “The fan sequence in Seeta Aur Geeta or the top-angle shots in Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana from Andaz — where you see Rajesh Khanna on the bike — that’s my mother.”

These sequences were extremely risky, shot without modern rigging methods or digital VFX. Ratna Shetty often performed falls, jumps, and high-risk rides without protective gear, making her one of the industry’s most respected early stunt artists.

Rohit said the environment at home normalized danger. “It’s our family business. It’s in our DNA — breaking bones, breaking our own bones instead of other people’s,” he joked, describing the stunt-heavy household he grew up in.

Action director M.B. Shetty’s contribution to Bollywood cinema

Rohit Shetty also paid tribute to his father, the legendary action director M.B. Shetty, known for choreographing iconic fight scenes in some of Bollywood’s biggest classics.

“He was not just a character actor; he was an action director. There was no social media then, so people didn’t know,” Rohit said.

He added that M.B. Shetty was responsible for designing the iconic intermission fight in Deewaar — a sequence still studied by filmmakers today. “He invented breaking glass through the glass,” Rohit said, noting his father was the pioneer behind Bollywood’s signature glass-smashing action style.

M.B. Shetty created action sequences for films such as:

• Don
• The Great Gambler
• Trishul
• Deewaar
• Shalimar

Despite his tough on-screen persona, Rohit described his father as soft-spoken and humble. He came from modest beginnings and carried that simplicity throughout his career.

Meanwhile, Ratna Shetty appeared in films like Daraar, Badi Ghar Ki Beti, and Yaar Gaddar, balancing acting and dangerous stunt doubling.

How Rohit Shetty inherited the action legacy

Known today as one of India’s biggest action directors, Rohit Shetty said his entire filmmaking style — from high-speed chases to large-scale stunts — comes from his parents’ influence.

He was exposed to stunt rehearsals, action choreography and on-set danger from a very young age. Watching actors and doubles break through glass, perform leaps and engage in stylized combat became part of his everyday life.

Rohit said the environment naturally shaped his filmmaking instincts. “Action is in my blood,” he said.

From assistant director to Bollywood’s action hitmaker

Rohit Shetty entered the industry through the traditional route of hard work and apprenticeship. He began his career as an assistant director on Ajay Devgn’s debut film Phool Aur Kaante, the movie famous for Devgn’s iconic two-bike entry — a stunt that would later inspire many of Rohit’s own high-adrenaline scenes.

Rohit’s directorial debut came in 2003 with Zameen, but his big break arrived in 2006 with the blockbuster comedy Golmaal. The franchise became a defining part of modern Bollywood entertainment, blending humor with elaborate action sequences.

Over the years, Shetty delivered massive commercial hits like Singham, Sooryavanshi, and Chennai Express, cementing his position as India’s action specialist.

Rohit Shetty’s upcoming work with John Abraham and Golmaal 5

On the work front, Rohit Shetty is currently shooting for the biopic of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, with John Abraham in the lead role. The project features intense investigative drama and action — a genre Shetty is naturally comfortable with.

After this project, Shetty will begin preparations for Golmaal 5, expected to go on floors by February or March 2026. The film continues the legacy of one of Bollywood’s biggest comedy-action franchises.

Industry expectations are high, considering Shetty’s proven track record and the enduring popularity of the series.

Why Rohit Shetty’s family history matters in Bollywood

Rohit Shetty’s story reflects a broader history of Bollywood’s hidden stunt culture, where many performers remain unrecognized despite risking their lives for entertainment.

His revelations highlight:

• the early evolution of Bollywood action
• the bravery of stunt artists like Ratna Shetty
• the technical innovation brought by M.B. Shetty
• the generational continuity of action filmmaking
• the importance of acknowledging behind-the-scenes contributors

At a time when safety standards were minimal, artists like Ratna and M.B. Shetty built the foundation for everything seen in today’s action cinema — from high-speed car flips to choreographed combat scenes that define Rohit’s movies.

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