Bushrah Khan, a 16-year-old from Table View, is a force to be reckoned with.
She is the stuntwoman behind all things action, including swinging swords and loud explosions, in a short film released on YouTube by the Touched By Style Community Arts Projects, a non-profit, on Friday, June 9.
The film, Aapie, tells the story of a young orphan girl, Nikky Zaan, played by actress Lina-Cayti Saldanah, who endures many challenges in life on the road to becoming a hero.
The non-profit organisation works with young people around the city, teaching them drama, choreography and how to make films.
However, Bushrah didn’t need that much training because she does Goju-ryu karate, and is trained in other martial arts.
She says her acting experience has led her to inspire others especially young people and women,
“As an actress, I have the privilege and opportunity of being a role model and influencing others through my work and public presence. My two biggest goals are outreach and representation. I want to be able to use my voice and my engagement to help not only raise awareness on certain issues but also make a difference.”
Bushrah says she always wanted to be an actress ever since her pre-primary school teacher selected her to play Sleeping Beauty in a concert.
And in 2017, she was an extra in a commercial and worked on set.
Being a martial-arts trainer has kept her “grounded and self-aware”, she says.
“I’ve always been passionate about fighting; I see it as a safe space. A place where I don’t have to think, in actual fact, a place where you can’t afford to think.
“Doing the stunts might have been more fun than the actual acting just because that is what myself and my body are used to. At times I just had to remind myself that this was acting and that I had to go lighter on the moves and attacks.”
She says she is happy to introduce her fierce side and hopes it inspires other women to get out of their comfort zone.
Bushrah also has a passion for art and writing.
“I am only 16 years old. Time changes and people change, that is how life works. I don’t have a clear-cut vision or goal, but I hope that I make myself happy.”
Nic Matthee, director and founder of Touched by Style Community Arts Projects, says Bushrah went through intense stunt training and impressed the production team with her energy and effectiveness during fight rehearsals.
“She represents youth by being a positive role model for young women, inspired by her beliefs and leading an active lifestyle to amuse, inspire and motivate talented women to make positive life changes.”
If you would like to be part of Touched By Style Community Arts Projects, you can contact them at touchedbystyle21@gmail.com or call them at 065 666 1115.
