Last month, mid-day reported that Salman Khan’s Sikandar will go on floors around June 27 (Salman to serve some stunts, May 24). With three weeks to go, it’s time for the leading man to gear up for director A R Murugadoss’ action entertainer. Sources tell us that the superstar is set to head to Chennai this week as part of the film’s hard prep.

On the agenda are extensive fight rehearsals and rigorous training. Over his three-decade-plus career, Khan has been no stranger to action. But we hear the actor-director duo jointly decided to have rehearsals since the film has many action sequences, and more importantly, because they have been imagined in an exaggerated and dramatic style as found in many south movies.

A source tells us, “In Sikandar, Salman portrays a character that requires a high level of physicality and combat skills. While he began his physical prep last month focusing on agility and movement, Murugadoss utilized the time to rope in some of his favourite action choreographers. They have designed elaborate fight sequences that Salman needs to perfect over the next few weeks. This phase is critical not only for the actor, but also for the entire stunt team to coordinate and ensure safety during filming.”

Apart from Chennai, some rehearsals will also take place in Hyderabad. Sikandar, which marks Khan’s first collaboration with the filmmaker, also stars Rashmika Mandanna.