Boxing might well be the new cricket. The nation might currently be obsessed with the exploits of the boys in blue, but Bollywood is more fascinated with men in shorts right now.
Actor-producer John Abraham has expressed a desire to make a film on boxing and cast former world champion David Haye, with whom he has collaborated for a flagship fitness-cum-boxing centre. Ranbir Kapoor, reportedly, will be seen boxing as a street fighter in Bombay Velvet. Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra are playing boxers in Brothers and now, it can be revealed that Salman Khan, too, will play one in Ali Abbas Zafar's Sultan.
A source reveals, "In Sultan, Salman plays the title role of a 40-year-old boxer. It'd require a huge amount of preparation. Salman would have to change his entire physique and body language. It'd entail many months of a strict exercise regime and a new diet control so he can acquire a boxer's body. With his heavy commitments, Salman is not sure how he will be able to give Sultan the time, attention and single-minded focus it requires."
Akshay already has a boxer's physique. But Salman is committed to finish Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan. He can't afford to shed his current look. How he will manage to make time and the body for this role is something that the actor has to
figure out.
Brothers hits the screen this year and reportedly, Sultan releases on Eid 2016. Why is boxing suddenly hot in B-Town? It's thanks to boxers like Mary Kom, Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar, AL Lakra, and Dinesh Kumar and their ilk who have brought glory to India at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. The once-ignored sport is now getting due credit and is grabbing eyeballs. And there's even Honey Singh's boxing league!
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