Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; February 2, 2018)

That Tiger Shroff is an enthusiast of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is well-known — he is a co-owner of the Bengaluru Tigers franchise of the Super Fight League (SFL) and has been actively involved in mentoring those in the team. So impressed is he with the captain of his team, Dhruv Chaudhary, that he has helped him land a pivotal role in Baaghi 2.

Director Ahmed Khan was scouting for a youngster, who would be adept in action, to play the antagonist alongside negative lead Prateik Babbar in the film. Realising that Chaudhary would be a perfect fit, Shroff and his mother Ayesha recommended him to the makers. “Tiger and his family always go out of their way to help me. I got selected in the first round itself,” says the Meerut-born fighter.

Having already shot for his portions in the Goa schedule, Chaudhary heaps praise on Shroff and Khan. “I was nervous, but Ahmed guided me thoroughly. Tiger too, helped me with dialogue, diction and performance.”