Stunt master Vinod Kumar is currently choreographing stunts for Inspector Vikram featuring Darshan, who makes a guest appearance in the film. Only a few know that the seasoned stunt director’s equation with the actor goes back many years. 

Before turning stunt director, Vinod started as a fight master at the age of 19. He was introduced to this field by KD Venkatesh, whom he considers his guru and godfather. “Of the 16 years of my career, I have worked as fighter for seven years. I later assisted my master for three years before I became a stunt choreographer,” he says. 

Vinod has primarily worked in Kannada films with his first individual project being the Duniya Vijay-starrer, Jayamanna Maga. Incidentally, he has mostly associated with Darshan till date. “Darshan sir and I have worked together in 10 films. He’s a humble human being and actor. He has always stood up for his people, and encourages local talent. I consider it a blessing to be associating with him,” he says.

With the changing scenario in the film industry, Vinod understands a film’s concept in addition to the actor’s strengths. “Cinema is a director’s vision, and I make it a point to understand the thought-process of the filmmaker based on which I choreograph the stunts,” he says.