India, Dec. 23 -- A Kalaripayattu trainer from Hyderabad, by the name of Hari Krishna, surprised everyone when he revealed on social media that Mahesh Babu had trained with him in the ancient martial arts form of Kalaripayattu for his upcoming film, Varanasi. Given how tight-lipped director SS Rajamouli has been about it all, it's no surprise when Hari tells Hindustan Times in an interview, "I had trained Mahesh sir last year but was asked not to reveal it then." Talking to us, he breaks down the training the Tollywood star went through for over two months.

Hari runs a martial arts academy in KPHB and has been teaching Kalaripayattu there for three years, having practised it for over six years. The Taekwondo black belt holder says he tra...