Sunday, May 18, 2025
ADVT 
Global Indians

Turning Stunts into Statements: Ayesha Hussain’s Fearless Revolution 

Natasha D'Souza Darpan, 12 Mar, 2025
  • Turning Stunts into Statements: Ayesha Hussain’s Fearless Revolution 

Ayesha Hussain is a powerhouse of talent—a modern-day renaissance woman who seamlessly blends grit, grace, and unfiltered authenticity. A British Asian multi-disciplined athlete, stuntwoman, and weapons specialist, Ayesha’s journey is deeply rooted in her Rajput heritage and the warrior spirit of her ancestors. Her ability to bring raw, genuine energy to every project has earned her accolades in the stunt world and mainstream entertainment. 

Her impressive repertoire includes roles in blockbuster productions like Deadpool & Wolverine, The Little People, Gladiator II, Black Mirror, and Brassic. Beyond the screen, Ayesha has fronted luxury fashion campaigns for iconic brands like Christopher Kane and Diesel, showcasing her versatility as both an athlete and a model. As one of the few South Asian stunt athletes breaking into mainstream media, her profile is steadily gaining traction. 

“I was actually extremely privileged to enjoy the support of my family, particularly my mother, in pretty much most pursuits I endeavored towards with passion,” Ayesha shares. Her upbringing, free from the pressures of a traditional community, allowed her to carve her own path—one that led her from modelling and circus performing to a full-fledged stunt career. 

Her collective, Babes with Blades, co-founded with director Jade Ang Jackman, represents Ayesha’s mission to shift the paradigm for women in stunt-heavy roles. “Hopefully, leading by example will expand the industry, and it is definitely changing, which is a great thing to be part of, along with women like Michelle Yeoh, Halle Berry, and the new generation like Rayna Vallandingham,” she says. 

Reflecting on whether she’s ever second-guessed her career choice, Ayesha candidly admits, “Oh, I question it all the time! What I do know, and what always walks me back from the ledge, is remembering how I didn’t see anyone like me growing up. It’s important, given the platform I now have, to push through the grit, bruises, broken bones, and intermittently attacked ego/self-worth so I can hopefully inspire some little 7-year-old me’s in the next generation!” 

Her South Asian heritage is not just a backdrop but a driving force. “I think being the first South Asian stuntwoman in Europe has been a mantle that comes with its pros and cons,” she affirms. “Until six or seven years ago, there would have been next to no one for me to double on screen, or many roles for anyone that looked like me.” 

Ayesha’s understanding of femininity and strength is as nuanced as her stunts. “I think femininity, like hope, is often mistaken for some fragile ethereal butterfly wing-like thing, whereas hope is resilience and force. Hope is getting up with dirt under your nails and blood on your chin (both metaphorically and literally in my case) and going again for the promise of more, of stronger, of better. Femininity shares this mantle—we literally GIVE BIRTH... the strength, resilience, and sharpness of the female body is literally woven into our genetic makeup,” she explains. “Being a girl who also knows how to slice her enemies to smithereens but can look as delicate as a flower feels like a superpower, also!” 

Though tight-lipped about upcoming projects, she teases, “Keep your eyes peeled around August for something TERRIBLY exciting!” 

Ayesha Hussain isn’t just performing stunts—she’s rewriting the playbook for what it means to be a modern-day action hero. As her story unfolds, one thing is clear: The warrior-spirited dynamo is not just here to take part—she’s here to take over. 
  
Her mantra on set is as bold as her performances: “I simply internally shout the words ‘SEND IT’ and go for it.” It’s this fearless mindset that keeps her pushing boundaries and taking risks, both on and off the screen. 
  
As for her legacy, Ayesha encourages women to chase joy. “Whatever it is you want to do, ask yourself why, and then ask yourself why again, and again. If when you boil it all down, you don't come to the unanimous conclusion of 'Joy,' it is not a worthy pursuit.” 
  
With every punch, flip, and fearless leap, she’s proving that joy and grit can coexist and that being zany and deadly is the ultimate power move. 

MORE Global Indians ARTICLES

undefined

Akshaya Raman Crafting Indian-Inspired YA Fantasy and Hopeful Narratives

Akshaya Raman Crafting Indian-Inspired YA Fantasy and Hopeful Narratives

Tamil-American author Akshaya Raman wrote "The Ivory Key" as the first in a two-book series. The second part, "The Crimson Fortress," hit the bookstores on November 14th. A Bay Area resident and biology graduate, Raman traded a career in science for fantasy writing, a transaction that so far has paid off. Writing "The Crimson Fortress" took Akshaya to Rajasthan —where she visited forts and step-wells she would later incorporate into the story—Tamil Nadu (her home state) and Goa.

Introducing Pfc. Jaskirat Singh The First Sikh to Graduate Marine Corps Boot Camp with Beard

Introducing Pfc. Jaskirat Singh The First Sikh to Graduate Marine Corps Boot Camp with Beard

When told that he would not be allowed to wear a turban and keep unshorn hair and beards at boot camp, Pfc. Singh felt that he was being forced to choose between his faith and his chosen career of military service — even though he knew that he could meet the Marine Corps' need for discipline and unit cohesion, as Sikhs have done for over a decade in other branches of the U.S. military. 

Tamanna Roashan

Tamanna Roashan

As an educator, it's not only important for me to stay on top of the trends and keep the latest ideal beauty standards in mind when creating products or looks, but it's also equally as important to recognize where we need to do more (or do less).

Meet Manpreet (Monica) Singh: America’s First Elected Female Sikh Judge

Meet Manpreet (Monica) Singh: America’s First Elected Female Sikh Judge

At the time she got admitted to the bar, Singh became the first Sikh to practice law in Houston. When first practicing in 2001, most of the faces she’d see among her colleagues were predominantly that of white men.

Fighting for a Cause: Pramila Jayapal

Fighting for a Cause: Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal won her Congressional election bid and became the first Indian-American woman in the House of Representatives in 2017. Before entering the House of Representatives, Jayapal served in the Washington State Senate from 2015 to January 2017. e

Introducing Harpreet Kaur

Introducing Harpreet Kaur

Through Why Blend In, Harpreet aims to help people understand their potential and reach their goals. She is an inspirational leader who has conducted keynotes, podcasts, webinars and workshops at Microsoft, LinkedIn, Teradata and many others.