Pulkit Samrat Makes History as First Indian Actor to Box Professionally

Pulkit Samrat's Historic Boxing Match

Pulkit Samrat has etched his name in history as the first Indian actor to step into the boxing ring with a professional boxer, becoming only the third actor worldwide to achieve this milestone. In anticipation of his upcoming Netflix sports-crime drama Glory, Pulkit faced off against Neeraj Goyat in a real boxing match, marking a significant moment for Bollywood. This aligns perfectly with his role in the film, where he portrays a boxer. The cast of Glory also includes Dvyenndu and Suvinder Vicky, with the project being written and directed by Karan Anshuman and Karmanya Ahuja, who previously collaborated on the Netflix series Rana Naidu.

Pulkit Samrat's Unique Promotion

During the trailer launch of Glory, the 42-year-old actor took an unconventional promotional approach by immersing himself in his character. Prior to Pulkit, only Tom Hardy and Jake Gyllenhaal had faced professional boxers. Social media quickly buzzed with images and videos of Pulkit, with fans praising his commitment and willingness to embrace new challenges. Observers noted that he seemed well-prepared, showcasing his boxing skills before entering the ring.

Overview of Glory

Glory tells the story of a fractured family that must reunite. Raghubir Singh (played by Vicky), a passionate boxing coach obsessed with Olympic success, struggles to maintain a legacy that is crumbling due to strained family ties. His sons, Dev (Divyenndu) and Ravi (Pulkit), return to their hometown of Shaktigarh to uncover the truth behind the violent attack on their sister Gudiya (Jannat Zubair) and the mysterious death of a promising Olympic boxer, Nihal Singh, as outlined in the official synopsis.

Pulkit, recognized for his roles in films such as Bittoo Boss, Jai Ho, and the Fukrey series, described Glory as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to represent the sport of boxing through cinema. He expressed pride in participating in a sports-themed project, which he feels is rare in Indian cinema.

Pulkit's Gratitude to Neeraj Goyat

At the trailer launch for Glory, Pulkit expressed his gratitude to Neeraj Goyat for agreeing to fight him in the ring, calling it a respectful gesture. He acknowledged the boxer for considering him worthy of sharing the ring. He also referred to Salman Khan's character from Sultan as the "original inspiration" for his role. Glory aims to capture the authentic spirit of Haryana's boxing culture, although the creators have clarified that it is a fictional narrative. The film, which also features Ashutosh Rana, Sikandar Kher, Kunal Thakur, Sayani Gupta, Yashpal Sharma, and Kashmira Pardeshi, is set to begin streaming on May 1.