Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra on Toofan: Vital that all bouts were with real-life boxers

Director Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra ropes in boxers from Haryana, Maharashtra, to lend authenticity to Farhan Akhtar’s Toofaan.

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

“To me, it was vital that all the bouts were with real-life boxers,” says the director, adding that his production team scouted for talent across the country. “We brought [pugilists] from the North-east, Haryana and Maharashtra on board. We also roped in a professional boxer from the US. The final [sequence] sees Farhan’s character fight him.” Set in the world of boxing, the Amazon Prime Video offering, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Paresh Rawal, is a love story at heart. 

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