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Radiologist swaps x-ray screens for the silver screen

3/ 7/2008

A TOP doctor has taken a break from saving lives to star as a murdering gangster in a Bollywood blockbuster.

Radiologist Mahesh Kumar, from Bolton, took a month away from his hi-tech screening job to film in Bangalore and will see the results at a premiere in London tomorrow.

Dr Kumar was a keen actor as a student and jumped at the chance when a friend - now a film director - offered him a role in the thriller Accident. His character, Mahesh Longa, which was his college nickname, is a rogue with a nightclub and pirate DVD empire.

Dr Kumar, 43, head of radiology at Pennine Acute Trust, which runs hospitals in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and north Manchester, said: "Some of my friends in film production said the role would suit me, so did I want to do it? I couldn't resist it.

"I used my annual leave to film in Bangalore for 20 days and this included acting and voice dubbing. It's really exciting to see the film released here.

"Nothing would take me away from my clinical work, but this was a great thing to do. I had a fantastic time."

Accident will be showing at Cineworld Valley, in Bolton, from July 12 for a three-day run.

It is filmed in the Indian language Kannada, which is not widely spoken here, but will be shown with English subtitles.

Father-of-two Dr Kumar arrived at the Royal Oldham Hospital in 2000 after training in London and Manchester.

He has been approached about another two roles, but has no plans for a career change.

Dr Kumar said: "Acting gives me a real buzz. Everyone should have a hobby to help them cope with stress."