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“Wasn’t easy”: Siddharth Anand on how he convinced Hrithik Deepika to flaunt abs in ‘Fighter’


As the silver screen prepares to showcase the highly anticipated Bollywood action movie ‘Fighter’, featuring the stalwart acting and enviable physique of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, whispers of behind-the-scenes diligence echo through the corridors of the industry. Siddharth Anand, the director at the film’s helm, strikes a chord reminiscent of dedication, hard work, and indeed, sacrifice, as he opens up to the media about the exemplary fitness regimes of his leading actors and their commitment to bringing their sculpted figures into the spotlight.

The recent reports that superstar Shah Rukh Khan hesitated to display his abs in the song ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ sparked curiosity among fans and media about whether Roshan and Padukone shared similar reservations. Anand quells all doubt with an affirmation of the duo’s confidence, both in their stunning appearance and the trust placed in his artistic vision. “It’s not easy to convince them,” reflects Anand, acknowledging the meticulous effort Roshan and Padukone put into curating their looks. In their ability to stride confidently before the camera, lay a silent partnership between the director and actor—one where words are extraneous and conviction speaks volumes.

Echoing this sentiment, Hrithik Roshan expresses unwavering faith in Anand’s directorial prowess, a sentiment that Deepika Padukone reverberates, trusting in the filmmaker’s sensibility and style to showcase their hard work respectfully and elegantly. The director, too, heaps praise on their professionalism, highlighting the relentless effort and ‘sacrifice’ they undertake to maintain such admirable physiques, serving as paradigms of discipline to their fans worldwide.

Paralleling his actors’ sentiments, Anand remarks that beyond the glitz of their on-screen presence lies an untold narrative of unwavering dedication. “Imagine us dancing shirtless. Every part is going to be jumping. They are like rock; they are sculpted”, he muses, providing a glimpse into the relentless toil put forth by Roshan and Padukone to achieve their enviable form—bodies that stand out not simply through physical allure, but rather through a portrayal of sheer willpower and determination.

It is not just the protagonists who have caught the fitness bug. The veteran actor Anil Kapoor, who also stars in ‘Fighter’, refuses to bow to the barriers of age. His fit appearance, often the subject of awe, garners as much attention off screen as it does on. Anand, with a touch of humor, recounts a conversation with Kapoor about the latter’s approach to celebrating the New Year away from the city’s hedonism, opting instead for the tranquillity of health resorts, indulging in self-care rituals of yoga and more—a telling detail of his commitment to health and wellness.

Together, Anand’s ‘Fighter’—starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi—stands as a cinematic homage to the heroes of the Indian armed forces. Under Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures, the film promises to straddle the themes of valor, sacrifice, and patriotism. With anticipation building for its release, Anand shares a heartfelt message about the journey of creating ‘Fighter’ alongside his spouse, Mamta, through their company MARFLIX. Gentle apprehension meets hopefulness as the director invites audiences to embrace ‘Fighter’ with the same passion previously seen for the blockbuster ‘PATHAAN’.

As the curtains rise on this tribute to the armed forces, the limelight will not solely focus on the high-octane action or the crescendo of patriotic fervor; rather, it also illuminates the culmination of an exhaustive journey of physical transformation, willpower, and artistic faith—a storyline just as gripping as the on-screen narrative. The cinema awaits the arrival of ‘Fighter’, and with it, the promise of an unparalleled visual treat, arriving on January 25th in the new year.

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