Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2014)

With his ripped physique and movie star looks, John Abraham is far removed from the wiry, barefoot Shibdas Bhaduri, who led the Mohun Bagan team to victory against their British opponents to lift the IFA Shield in 1911.

 The actor-producer is playing the Bengali sporting legend in Shoojit Sircar’s 1911 based on the keenly contested match which saw the Indian side trump their Imperial masters. And John wants to look the part.

 A source close to the actor reveals that he has already started exercising towards a footballer’s physique. “A footballer’s strength lies in his legs. John realises that and has already started working out keeping that in mind. In the process, he will lose some weight too and has already started shedding the pounds,” said our source, adding, “He has been gymming for a little over a month, he still has nine months to go. He will pull it off better than anyone can imagine.”

 The Immortal XI in the film will also feature Ayushmann Khurrana, who had debuted with John’s home production Vicky Donor in 2012.

 Buzz is, Ayushmann will play Abhilash Ghosh, the player who scored the winning goal in the historic match.

 When asked, Ayushmann’s spokesperson said, “He has already achieved an extremely fit body for Dum Lagake Haisha and Bombay Fairytale. He looks fitter than ever before. 1911 will only roll towards the end of the year and if need be, closer to the time the film goes on floors, he will work on his body depending on what he’s asked to do.”