Did you know Ranbir Kapoor underwent Kalaripayattu training for Shamshera? Karan Malhotra reveals details

The actor trained with action director Franz Spilhaus for the fight sequence.

Ranbir Kapoor in a still from Shamshera

It's unusual to see Ranbir Kapoor perform daring action stunts and engage in protracted battles with villains. He has primarily portrayed characters who are grounded and relatable in the movies he has chosen. Because of this, Shamshera director Karan Malhotra was aware that he could not portray Kapoor as a heroic figure larger than life. The idea crossed his head when he shot the action scenes for the film, especially the big set-piece in which RK's Balli and Sanjay Dutt's Shuddh Singh square off.

Action director Franz Spilhaus, who previously worked on Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff's War (2019) and Denzel Washington's Safe House (2012), chose to use Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art technique, in the sequence.

According to Mid Day, the scene was to be one of the film's highlights, the director adds, so it had to be staged on a huge scale. In Yash Raj Studios, the production design crew constructed a sizable stadium. In the scene, Kapoor's dacoit character faces off against the brutal army commander while using a wooden log as a weapon.

Shamshera is deeply ingrained in Indian customs and culture. The action set-pieces needed to appear authentic to the story's 1800s setting. Ranbir had to perform incredible action scenes to portray the traditional Hindi film hero. They built an arena that resembled one that was common at the time and shot the battle scene inspired by Kalaripayattu there.

The fact that Malhotra discovered a leading man who is passionate about his art is by far his greatest advantage. As an actor, Ranbir is eager to try anything new. He recalls how the actor rehearsed for a week before walking onto the set, because when we presented the scene to him, he wanted to ace it.

He worked hard for several days, practising the scene with Franz and his group. It was a difficult shoot. It was sweltering, muggy, and dusty. It was also windy, which made things worse. Ranbir deserves praise for accomplishing this.

Shamshera is rooted in Indian culture and traditions. With the story being set in the 1800s, the action set-pieces needed to look from that era. Ranbir, who is playing the classic Hindi film hero, had to pull off incredible action scenes. They shot the Kalaripayattu-inspired fight sequence on a dusty field, constructing an arena that resembled one prevalent during those times.

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