Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s previous works, including Rang De Basanti (2006) and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), are proof that the filmmaker will not compromise on the authenticity of his story. Naturally, when he set out to tell the story of a goon-turned-boxer in Toofaan, he sought professional boxers who will add value to the sports drama. While Farhan Akhtar trained rigorously under the watchful eyes of Drew Neal, Samir Jaura and Darrell Foster, the director roped in real-life pugilists who would battle it out with the leading man in the ring.   

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra