Mumbai: Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, known for his high-octane stunts and action-packed performances, has opened up about his fear of flying, admitting that turbulence on a previous flight triggered an unexpected phobia.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Shroff explained how the fear developed after a “very turbulent flight a couple of years back.”

“Recently, I've developed this fear of flying. I was on a very turbulent flight a couple of years back, and since then I've had aerophobia. What's weird is that you can ask me to do the most difficult stunt—ask me to jump off the roof of the Grand Hyatt into the swimming pool. I can do that without thinking. But 10 days before a flight, my heart starts skipping beats. Your mind starts playing games with you,” he said candidly.

Channeling anxiety through workouts

Shroff revealed that his rigorous fitness regime helps him manage the anxiety.

“I channel it through my physicality and physical expression. That's therapy for me. My trainers have had to stop me and hold me back from going to the gym or just doing something. Even though rest is essential for growth, I can't relate to that. I think it's psychological—like I start thinking my muscles are disappearing or that I'm not progressing,” he said.

Fearless on screen, considerate off screen

Fans know Shroff performs all his action stunts without body doubles, but he ensures his doubles are fairly compensated.

“Sometimes my body double will look at me and ask, 'Sir, are you sure you want to do this?' I feel bad because I'm kind of doing his job, but I still make sure he gets paid for it, even if I'm doing the stunts. But I get a kick out of it because I grew up watching Jackie Chan films. In stunts, there is no fear,” he added.

Tiger was last seen in Baaghi 4, directed by Harsha and starring Sanjay Dutt, Harnaaz Sandhu, Sonam Bajwa, Shreyas Talpade and Saurabh Sachdeva.