Akshay to train in sword fighting, traditional artillery for 'Kesari'

New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar will be soon seen in an action avatar in 'Kesari' as Havildar Ishar Singh, the leader of the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi, trade sources said on Wednesday.Akshay will be learning traditional artillery, sword fighting and Gatka (an Indian martial art form associated with the Sikhs of the Punjab region) for 'Kesari'."A huge set is currently being set up in the beautiful Wai in Satara where large forts of Saragarhi and Gulistan are being recreated. The makers have a plan to begin filming the crucial sequences before summer arrives," the sources said.The set which is being designed is for war sequences which will feature Akshay Kumar in most of it. The fight sequences will have the traditional artillery as primary weapons.

The makers are even thinking of getting some traditional wrestlers aka pehelwans from Punjab to make the scenes look authentic during hand to hand combat scenes.Apart from traditional artillery, professional 'Gatka' trainers have been roped in to train Akshay."It happens to be the oldest form of self-defense; Akshay has given 15 days to train in the form.

The entire learning process will involve sword fighting and use of wooden sticks. The makers are even planning to source Indian weapons like 'gandasas' and 'bhujs'," sources said.Produced by Karan Johar and directed by Anurag Singh, 'Kesari' will feature Akshay in the role of Havildar Ishar Singh who led the Sikh army against the Afghans in this 1897 battle.

The film also stars Parineeti Chopra in the leading role.Akshay Kumar is currently gearing up for 'Pad Man' which is set to release on February 9.Akshay is also a part of the period sports drama 'Gold'--inspired by real life story of India’s first Gold medal win post Independence. It will release on August 15, 2018.(UNI)