The title of S Krishna’s next directorial and production, Pahailwan, suggests that it would have actor Sudeep as a wrestler. The storyline combining boxing and wrestling, according to the makers, should be a much interesting combat combo. 

Releasing the first look of his sports flick on the eve of the actor’s birthday, Krishna’s fighter character shows Sudeep looking every inch a boxer. Captured in the background of a boxing training arena, the actor’s sweat-drenched, well-toned body is paired with his menacing look. Another image with the signature hood is equally intense.  

Krishna, who plans to go on floors with the film in October after Sudeep completes his shoot for The Villain, is leaving no stone unturned. Interestingly, Sudeep will be trained by a foreign fight master for the boxing scenes, and will even get some very real looking bruises courtesy a make-up artist being flown down from abroad.

Meanwhile, the wrestling portions will be shot in Davangere and Hubballi among other locations. The film, made under RRR Motion Pictures, has music by Arjun Janya and cinematography by Karunakar.