Lara Dutta recalled nearly drowning while shooting Andaaz with Akshay Kumar, who saved her from powerful waves. The incident left her terrified of water for years until Akshay encouraged her to “learn swimming.” She later overcame her fear while filming Blue (2009) and was last seen in Ishq-e-Nadaan.

Lara Dutta, one of Bollywood’s most loved actresses, had a scary experience early in her career. While shooting a dance scene in the sea for her first film ‘Andaaz’ with Akshay Kumar, she got caught in strong waves. The actress struggled to stay steady and safe as the waves grew stronger. She escaped without harm, but the incident left her shaken and taught her how risky shooting in natural settings can be.

Lara Dutta shares Akshay Kumar’s life-saving act

Speaking to Asian Television Network Canada, she revealed, “I went underwater, wearing leather, didn’t know how to swim, sank like a rock.” Luckily, her co-star Akshay Kumar was close by and managed to pull her out just in time. The frightening incident left her in hypothermic shock, forcing the team to stop the shoot immediately and rush her to the hospital. The experience had a lasting impact on her, shaping how she approached her work in the years that followed. When Akshay later suggested her name for ‘Blue’, an underwater adventure film, Lara admitted she couldn’t bring herself to accept the role because of her fear of water. She said, “I couldn’t take it up,” she confessed, explaining how the incident still haunted her. But Akshay’s simple advice pushed her to face her fear: “Learn swimming.”

Lara Dutta opens up about facing fear at 30

When Lara turned 30, she found herself facing a challenge that would intimidate even the bravest. “At 30, he asked me to learn diving. I said, ‘Mai hi pagal mili hoon’ (Do you think I am crazy?),” she laughed, recalling her amused reaction. But instead of walking away, Lara decided to take it as an opportunity to conquer her long-held fear of water. She started swimming lessons, gradually built her confidence, and eventually managed to perform the film’s intense underwater scenes, a personal triumph that marked an important turning point in her journey.

About ‘Blue’

Released in 2009 and directed by Anthony D’Souza, ‘Blue’ brought together a star-studded cast including Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan, and Lara Dutta. Though the film didn’t perform well at the box office, it turned out to be a meaningful achievement for Lara.

Lara Dutta’s latest appearance in ‘Ishq-e-Nadaan’

Meanwhile, Lara was last seen in the 2023 film ‘Ishq-e-Nadaan’, a romantic drama that explored stories of love and connection across different generations. Directed by Avishek Ghosh, the film also starred Mohit Raina, Neena Gupta, Kanwaljit Singh, and Shriya Pilgaonkar.