Culture | Film Professional stuntman Kiran Shah has said being made an MBE is “a testament” to his perseverance in spite of the obstacles he has faced. Shah, 67, who has performed stunts in the Star Wars series and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for his services to the film industry. Shah told the PA news agency: “I am incredibly honoured and grateful to receive this award.
“I feel humbled by the recognition of my hard work and dedication to my craft. “This accolade is a testament to my perseverance and passion for my work, despite any obstacles I have faced. “I see this award not just as a personal achievement, but also as an acknowledgment of the support and inspiration I have received from my colleagues and mentors throughout my career.
“I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries and contributing to the film industry in meaningful ways.” Shah was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1956 with a growth hormone deficiency which meant that he stopped growing at the age of 15 when he was 4ft 1in tall. His family relocated to India when he was 12 and later moved to England , where he had growth check-ups at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Before his career in film, Shah was recruited to a Japanese kabuki theatre in 1973, where he performed mime. In 1976 he began working on his first film, Disney movie Candleshoe (1977), as a stand-in for one of the characters. Pickford: Every pla.