In an exhilarating development for Indian cinema, Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan’s thrilling contributions to the action genre have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. The actor’s blockbuster movies ‘Jawan’ and ‘Pathaan’ have been nominated for Vulture’s prestigious 2023 Annual Stunt Awards, sharing the limelight with international heavyweights such as Keanu Reeves’ ‘John Wick 4’ and Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’.
The nominations herald a milestone moment, recognizing the spellbinding stunts that have graced the silver screen, much to the delight of action aficionados. Shah Rukh Khan, a name synonymous with the Indian film industry’s magnificence, has once again demonstrated his reign over the box office, with ‘Pathaan,’ ‘Jawan,’ and ‘Dunki’ capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and collectively amassing an astounding 2600 Cr in earnings, bolstering Bollywood’s global prowess.
‘Jawan’ crafted a pulse-racing spectacle with its much-talked-about ‘Highway Chase’ sequence, securing nominations in the ‘Best Stunt in an Action Film’ and ‘Best Vehicular Stunt’ categories—a testament to the film’s impeccable craft and heart-stopping thrills. Meanwhile, ‘Pathaan’ soared to new heights with its high-octane ‘Jet-Pack Fight,’ earning a nod for ‘Best Aerial Stunt,’ further cementing the movies’ positions as top-notch action spectacles.
These nominations are no small feat, as ‘Jawan’ and ‘Pathaan’ contend with a star-studded lineup of formidable films for the ‘Best Overall Action Film’ honor. This illustrious list includes the likes of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ characterized by its intense ‘Stair Fight and Fall,’ the adrenaline-pumping ‘Rome Car Chase’ from ‘Fast X,’ the death-defying ‘Base Jump’ in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,’ and the nail-biting ‘Helicopter Shoot-out’ from ‘Extraction 2,’ among others.
This year’s Vulture Annual Stunt Awards pay homage to the unsung heroes—the stunt professionals—whose fearlessness and ingenuity make action cinema a spectacular feast for the senses. The nominees in various categories are as follows:
Best Stunt in an Action Film:
– Jawan (the Highway Chase)
– The Equalizer 3 (the Stained Glass Ceiling scene)
– Extraction 2 (the Opening Oner)
– John Wick: Chapter 4 (the Stair Fight and Fall)
– Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (the Base Jump)
Best Vehicular Stunt:
– Fast X (the Rome Car Chase)
– Ferrari (the Mille Miglia Race)
– Jawan (the Highway Chase)
– John Wick: Chapter 4 (the Arc de Triomphe Scene)
– Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (the Rome Car Chase)
Best Aerial Stunt:
– Extraction 2 (the Helicopter Shoot-out)
– Godzilla Minus One (the Plane Circling Godzilla)
– Kandahar (the Helicopter Fight)
– Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (the Base Jump)
– Pathaan (the Jet-Pack Fight)
The exclusive selection of films in the ‘Best Overall Action Film’ spotlights the most thrilling cinematic achievements from across the globe, including ‘Ballerina,’ ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant,’ ‘Extraction 2,’ ‘Fist of the Condor,’ ‘Jawan,’ ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, ‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,’ ‘Pathaan,’ ‘Silent Night’, and ‘Shin Kamen Rider’.
Shah Rukh Khan’s dominion over the action genre in 2023 is not merely a testimony to his star power but also a reflection of a wider narrative; it underscores the burgeoning influence of Indian cinema on the international front. Amid fervent acclaim, the actor’s exceptional work spells a resounding success that resonates on both national and international levels—an accomplishment that corroborates India’s burgeoning footprint in the action-packed realms of global filmmaking.
The Vulture Annual Stunt Awards, in their second iteration, are set to unfold, celebrating the breathtaking stunts and the skilled professionals behind them. As Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’ and ‘Pathaan’ vie for these coveted accolades, the excitement amongst fans of the action genre is palpable—a fitting tribute to a year marked by gravity-defying feats and heart-racing narrative twists. The anticipation is undeniably high as the world awaits the results, and the Indian film fraternity basks in the global recognition of its cinematic marvels.
