Irrfan Khan gets CopCover

Under threat from dacoits, Tigmanshu Dhulia's film gets police protection Irrfan Khan and the unit of Tigmanshu Dhulia's Paan Singh Tomar had to face a harrowing time when dacoits raided a village in the vicinity of their shoot in Dholpur, Rajasthan. After the incident, they were given special police protection.

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Possible target

Talking about the police cover Irfan says, "We were told by the local collector that we could be targetted and to step out only for the shoot.

However, there was shortage of manpower since the police were posted at ongoing local melas.

Also Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajas-than have porous borders where gangs of dacoits keep committing robberies in one state and moving to another."

Presently shooting in Roorkee, Irfan says he was intimidated by the ravines of Chambal which he calls one of the most haunting places he's seen.

"These places are dangerous with their steep climbs and valleys, but at the same time they are so beautiful. I think if Chambal was in the United States, they would have made it into a great tourist spot."

In preparation

Calling the project one of his most physically challenging roles so far he adds, "I had to work on many fronts as the character is different from anything I have done so far.

I had to learn the MP accent, and I'm also training with a coach who's preparing me for the athletic scenes."

The unit of Dhulia's film is shooting in Roorkee till April 12.

Paan Singh Tomar kaun?

He was an athlete from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. He ruled the steeplechase event at the Indian National Games for seven years and his record stood unbeaten for 10 years.

But he became infamous when he gave up his running shoes and went on to wreak havoc in the Chambal Valley.