Feats at the finals

His acts are dangerous, requiring courage and commitment. "Judge Farah Khan (noted Bollywood choreographer and director) was closing her eyes while I was performing,” laughs 41-year-old Farokh Tatary, describing his passage in June 2009 to the finals of the all-India competition-based variety entertainment reality show Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega on the Sony TV channel.

Contestants have to entertain the live studio audience (be it with song, dance or unusual feats) for a minimum of one minute. If the hooter goes off before that, it means the audience has given you a thumbs down! he explains. "I had been watching the program (spread over several weeks) and was tempted to participate. I got a call from Wizcraft saying I could be on the show. For the selection round (which got him into the final), I performed three of my best acts — lifting a weight of 90 lbs with one finger, allowing sharp, pointed knives to be dropped on to my bare stomach from a height and bending an iron rod with the eye,” he states. Usually two contestants were chosen from each round to move forward, he narrates, "but mine was the only episode where there was no second winner.”

Farokh (left) and Rumi Tatary at the show Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega

Contest rules stipulated that whatever was done earlier could not be repeated in the finals. "I had to do something different. The most difficult acts had already been done,” Tatary relates. Finally he decided on two feats — bending two iron rods simultaneously with both eyes (which he tried on stage for the first time and succeeded) and the breaking of a stone (laadi) placed on his chest with a sledgehammer. "Here my father Rumi’s role is crucial. If he does not break it with the first hammer blow I have to take two-three more hits.” Though the acts found favor, Tatary lost in the final to a young Taekwondo group. "But it was a super experience and fantastic publicity. It made me known on an all-India basis.”

Tatary looks forward to participation in other TV programs like Dus ka Dum or even in films. "All credit goes to my father. He is 67 years old. Whatever I am is only because of him,” he continues. "His items (done in his earlier years) were unbelievable. He deserves a lifetime achievement award.” The father-son duo have performed over 50 shows for schools, corporates, etc.