Lara Dutta Recalls Near-Drowning in Andaaz, Learnt Swimming at 30 for Akshay's Blue

Actor Lara Dutta has opened up about a terrifying incident early in her career when she nearly drowned while filming her debut movie Andaaz alongside Akshay Kumar. The incident occurred during a dance sequence shot in the sea, where strong waves unexpectedly dragged both actors into deeper waters.

Recalling the moment, Lara said she did not know how to swim at the time and was wearing heavy leather clothing, which made the situation worse. “I went underwater… didn’t know how to swim and sank like a rock,” she shared, describing how quickly things escalated into a life-threatening situation.

It was Akshay Kumar who acted swiftly, grabbing hold of her and bringing her back to safety on the shore. Following the incident, Lara reportedly went into hypothermic shock, forcing the crew to halt the shoot immediately and rush her to the hospital for treatment.

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Despite the traumatic experience, the story took a turning point years later. When Akshay recommended Lara for the underwater film Blue, she initially refused due to her fear of water. However, he encouraged her to overcome it by learning swimming and diving.

Taking up the challenge, Lara eventually learnt to swim at the age of 30, conquering the fear that had lingered since the Andaaz incident. She later joined the project, turning a past trauma into a story of resilience and personal growth.

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