Glory EXCLUSIVE! Pulkit Samrat's Trainer Reveals Biggest Challenge In Preparing Him For Boxing: He Had Never..

Glory Pulkit Samrat trainer: Pulkit Samrat went an extra mile to ensure that he aced the role of a boxer with perfection in Netflix's series Glory. From competing against boxer Neeraj Goyat in a professional boxing match to working out religiously to prep up for his role, he left no stone unturned as he trained with celebrity fitness coach Drew Neal.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Pulkit Samrat's trainer spilled the beans on prepping him up for his first boxing role in Glory, and how he tailored training in a different manner as the actor was new to boxing.

Here are excerpts from the interview

What were the biggest challenges in preparing Pulkit Samrat for his first boxing role in Glory?

Ans: The biggest challenges were the obvious ones. Firstly, Pulkit had never boxed or had any boxing experience at all before we started, so he was a complete novice. And of course, time. Usually, with fighters, I spend years and years and years of teaching and coaching, but obviously, because of the deadline of the shoot, we literally had around a year. So, yeah, the biggest challenges were definitely time and, of course, he was a beginner. So we had to overcome those and work accordingly.

How did you tailor Pulkit's training differently since he was new to boxing?

Ans: There was no difference in training Pulkit as I would train any novice to boxing. I've taught many novices all the way through to world level, so it was just a case of learning the basics first and foremost, and then allowing Pulkit to develop his own style. Fortunately, Pulkit is already very fit, so his conditioning was already there, but obviously, the basics and technical aspects of boxing we had to go from the ground up. So we spent a lot of time, very repetitive sessions doing punches, drills, and footwork drills, which Pulkit actually picked up very quickly purely because he's got a bit of a background in obviously dancing, and his coordination was great. So yeah, we started from the ground up but he picked it up very quickly.

What did a typical training day look like for Pulkit during his transformation?

Ans: He would train multiple times each day, two to three times. One session would be strength and conditioning, so to work on his physique, lifting weights, doing functional training, that type of thing. Obviously, we had to have a session of boxing also, so learning all the new techniques, putting them together with drills, sparring, and pad work. And then he'd often have a massage or some physio just to help with recovery so we could go again the following day.

How long did it take to achieve the level of authenticity you were aiming for?

Ans: With boxing, as with many sports, it's an ongoing journey. You never really reach the end. So Pulkit, even to today, after the shoot, he's still boxing and we're still doing it. He got a bit of a love for it, so we're following his passion and continuing to to learn even to today. But we had around a year before he had his shoot, so um he looked not only fit, but he also looked like a boxer. My goal with Pulkit was not to make him act like a pull like a like a boxer, but actually become a boxer. So we had a year and of course he's going to learn more and more as the time goes on, but he looked really authentic and really good when he was doing his shoot and and that took about a year.

You are known for training actors like real athletes - what does that mindset change in terms of results?

Ans: I think it's very important for anybody who trains to be athletic. So, it's not just about looking good and looking good on screen, or looking good in the mirror, or looking good for a holiday. It's about having a functional body that can actually do daily tasks. So, athletes train like this. They have good strength and conditioning, they have good aerobic fitness, they have agility-all these things go together to being a really fit person. And I feel that if you have a goal of going to the gym and being fit, then all these things should take place. So it's not just about lifting weights, it's not just about running on the treadmill. It's about encapsulating all the different areas of fitness and putting it as one, so you can truly become not only fit but athletic.

How did your experience training Farhan Akhtar for Toofan influence your approach with Pulkit Samrat?

Ans: I train everybody the same way. I think it's very important to have a-when you're learning a sport or a skill, to have the foundation and the fundamentals correct before we start progressing. Farhan and Pulkit were very much the same. They had neither boxed before, although they were both very fit and had been entering the gym and had a sporting background. So they were both very much the same. But the fundamentals-I always teach the same way. So we teach the basics, the punches, the movements, the blocks, the drills, over and over in a very repetitive form. That way, the person can actually become a boxer and not just act like they're becoming a boxer. They actually learn the skills as I would teach an athlete. So, yeah, the approach was very much the same. They were both beginners, and then by the time we got them on screen, they both actually became boxers. They weren't just acting to become boxers.

What lessons from previous projects have shaped your current training methods?

Ans: I've been training people for over 30 years. So, I've really, really seen it all. Every type of client is different, and of course, they all have their own challenges, but I feel that because of my experience, I'm able to overcome that. So, I'm wise enough to understand that one type of training doesn't fit everyone, but I'm also experienced enough to know that there is a type of training that will fit everyone. So, yeah, different approaches for different people, but the goal remains the same. Plan it, structure it, and then activate that plan.

Glory is available for streaming on Netflix.