To jump into Dangal, Aamir Khan takes wrestling tips from Kota athlete

Kota wrestler Ravindra Kumar is “coaching” actor Aamir Khan in Mumbai in the art of wrestling.

Kota is known for providing coaching classes to thousands of students preparing for engineering and medical entrances in the country. Now the city’s wrestler, Ravindra Kumar, is “coaching” actor Aamir Khan in Mumbai in the art of wrestling.

Kota wrestler Ravindra Kumar is ‘coaching’Bollywood actor Aamir Khan the art of wresting for his film Dangal. (Ah Zaidi/HT Photo)

Kumar was a gold medallist at the 2004 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games and Khan’s upcoming home production, Dangal, is based on the sport of wrestling.

Thirty-five-year-old Kumar, fondly known as Ravindra Pahalwan, is posted in Kota Railways as a deputy chief ticket inspector.

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Kumar told HT that Khan is playing the role of a wrestler, Mahaveer Singh Phogat, in the movie.

“Aamir was taking wrestling tips from Krapashankar Vishnoi, who is an Arjuna awardee. But Vishnoi is currently training the women’s national team in Lucknow and suggested that Aamir take wrestling tips from me,” said Kumar.

He said that Aamir Khan Productions approached him for wrestling training after which he reached Mumbai.

“I have discussed wrestling at length with Aamir,” Kumar said, who has also met the film’s writer and director, Nitesh Tiwari.

In his long wrestling career, Kumar won over a dozen gold medals in different national tournaments. At the 2004 SAF Games in Islamabad, Pakistan, he defeated a Pakistani wrestler to clinch gold.

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