An actor had to be rescued after catching fire while performing a fire-breathing routine.

The accident happened on October 13 in a village in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Ramesh Mishra, 48, was playing the role of demon ‘Tadaka' in a play based on Hindu epic Ramayana.

Footage shows Mishra filling his mouth with kerosene and spitting it on a torch.

During the second attempt, his shirt on which he had spilled some kerosene accidentally caught fire.

As the fire threatened to engulf him, he fled the stage followed by fellow actors and members of the audience who managed to douse the fire.

Mishra suffered burns on his face and hands and was taken to a hospital.

“It was an accident. I survived as I was rescued quickly and rushed to a hospital,” said Mishra.

An actor was rescued after catching fire while playing a fire- breathing demon.

Ramesh Mishra, 48, was playing the role of demon ‘Tadaka,’ who is killed by Lord Ram, in a play based on Hindu epic Ramayana in a village in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, India.

A scene required him to dance menacingly and breathe fire while threatening a monk.

Lights were dimmed and Mishra filled his mouth with kerosene and started spitting it on a torch he held.

During the second attempt, his shirt on which he had spilled some kerosene accidentally, also caught fire.

Mishra tried to put out the fire with his hands while still holding the torch. He unwittingly spat kerosene on the torch again, while holding it close to his face.

As the fire threatened to engulf him, he fled the stage followed by a few fellow actors and members of the audience who managed to douse the fire.

Mishra suffered slight burns on his face and hands and was taken to a hospital where he was discharged after first aid.

“It was an accident. I survived as I was rescued quickly and rushed to a hospital,” said Mishra.