Right-handed Varun trains in southpaw stance for Joshua

We’d earlier reported that Varun trained extensively in Paris for his role in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s

Joshua

Imai Pol Kaakha. We’ve now learnt that he trained in not one, but multiple forms of martial arts and fitness techniques, like parkour, boxing and gymnastics. “I play a hitman in this action thriller. So, we wanted to keep the stunt sequences realistic and classy. I went to Paris for two months to train under Hollywood stunt choreographer

Yannick

Ben and his team. Yannick is also the action choreographer of our film,” begins Varun.

The actor trained under 10 experts in various stunt forms. “We generally use rope while performing action scenes. But they taught me how these can be done without it in a safe way.

Raimando

trained me how to use parkour techniques to jump across buildings. Gary is a boxer, and he taught me the southpaw stance. In the film, I’m a left-hander and I can’t use the regular boxing style. For a right-handed person like me, it was quite a challenge,” says Varun, adding, “We have finished shooting almost six-seven action sequences; we have done chases and car fights. In fact, the visuals of the song Naan Un Joshua that will release today is a mix of action and romantic sequences, reflecting the essence of the film.”

The actor also knocked off over 22 kilos to play the role. “I was shooting for Seeru before this film and had gained 22kg to reach 94kg. After I finished shooting that film, I had to do a test shoot for Joshua. But I didn’t meet Gautham sir for one month because I wanted to lose some weight. I knocked off 10 kilos at that point, but he was still apprehensive and said I had to sport a ripped physique to look like a hitman. So, in the next two-and-a-half months, I dieted and exercised like crazy and lost all that weight,” signs off Varun.