A look at `Stunt Mania`

Contestants are showing their prowess on `MTV - Stunt Mania`.

Mumbai: Bike stunts are more about technique and concentration than physical power, say female contestants of a reality show on MTV - Stunt Mania. 21-year-old Vartika Pande from Pune says once perfect with technique and concentration, it does not matter if you are a boy or a girl.

"Timing is very important while performing the stunts," she said adding that she was eliminated in the second episode because of she missed just by a second. Talking to reporters she said she wanted to become a professional biker. The law student said she has been into bike stunting for a year-and-a-half. 19-year-old Shirin Solomon from Navi Mumbai, a third year Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) student, also an eliminated contestant says biking is not a big deal and does not believe that only boys can ride a bike. Both Shirin and Vartika were eliminated in the second episode which required contestants to jump from a 40th floor on the bike. Shirin admitted that biking as a profession has no scope in India and said that she wanted to persue biking as a hobby. "It relaxes your mind and gives satisfaction of having learnt a stunt. It requires a little bit of effort and passion for bikes," she said.Shirin said she has been riding bikes since the age of 14. "I now drive my own bike from Navi Mumbai to Bandra covering nearly 100 km a day," she said. Model and Marathi film actress Smita Gondkar who is still on the show said even though girls may be lagging behind on terms of physical capabilities than boys, bike stunting requires technique and balance. "Stunts are not just about physical strength, Girls are mentally stronger," she said. She said the reality show has enabled girls to compete at the same level as boys. Smita comes from a family where adventure sport is an hobby and has been a Maharashtra state captain of the Kayaking team. She said the MTV show is organised under expert supervision. She is now looking forward for roles in films to suit her new "stuntgirl" image. Bureau Report