Singh emphasises that his leading man's rugged avatar — replete with kohl-lined eyes, ash-smeared face and dreadlocks — is crucial to his act as a ruthless Naga sadhu seeking revenge. The actor, on his part, devoted months to bulk up for the role. "I didn't want a chiselled body that can be acquired through regular gym sessions because that would be a modern day look. I wanted Saif to have the appearance of a pehelwan, a robust frame that you acquire by going to the akhada."

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Heaping praise on Khan for getting into the skin of the character, the director says the shoot was physically demanding. "When we were shooting in the desert, Saif's feet had developed cracks and were bleeding since he was walking on the hot sand. My assistants excitedly told me, 'Sir, that is real blood. Let's include it in the shot,'" he laughs.

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