The first step to playing an intimidating gangster is looking like one. When Antim: The Final Truth came his way, Aayush Sharma knew he would have to bulk up to look the part. He turned to fellow actor-friend Tiger Shroff, who was only too happy to direct him to his trainer Rajendra Dhole.

A source reveals, “When Aayush reached out, Tiger suggested that he seek training from his trainer Rajendra Dhole. He chalked out a detailed plan, including a rigorous workout regimen and strict diet, for Aayush’s transformation.”

Sharma, fit and agile in his debut film LoveYatri (2018), weighed 60 kilos when he met Dhole in mid-2019. The target was to reach 76 kilos for the Mahesh Manjrekar-helmed actioner that would see him match Salman Khan, punch for punch.

Over the next 18 months, Sharma underwent gruelling strength training. “It was a task initially to achieve the physique that was demanded from his character. Aayush has always been fit, but he had a lean body. We had to bulk him up while giving him toned muscles and ripped abs, which requires a dedicated training routine,” says Dhole, who made him work out five days a week, with emphasis on his agility and core muscles.

Ahead of the film’s release, the makers released a behind-the-scenes video tracing the actor’s transformation. The trainer adds, “Aayush surprised me with his commitment. Even for the toughest routines, he was always ready.”

Axe kicks, butterfly kicks, uppercuts, and jabs—name it, and Tiger Shroff has done it all in the seven years since he made his debut with Heropanti (2014). Not one to rest, the action-star is raising the bar in the sequel of the Sajid Nadiadwala production.  A trade source informed that Jr Shroff has wrapped up some adrenaline-fuelled sequences in just five days after the second lockdown was lifted. “[Under the guidance of] action director Parvez Shaikh, Tiger and Nawazuddin [Siddiqui] shot some high-octane sequences, which also included a car blast. The film has been planned on a grand scale with stunts that are different from Tiger’s usual style, for which he trained under fitness expert Rajendra Dhole.”

Shroff will take off overseas in September to can some chase scenarios. “Before the crew heads for the international shoot, the production house will get everyone vaccinated,” says the source, adding that the initial plan was to shoot across 10 countries, but “now the decision will depend on travel restrictions imposed in other countries”.