Mumbai: Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin plays a champion sportsperson in Nitesh Tiwari's next film, Chhichhore. His character, Derek, is inspired by the Dangal director's real-life senior from his engineering college days. "Derek, my character, in Chhichhore is actually based on the director's real-life senior in engineering college and I had no clue about it till he took me to Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B)," said Tahir. Chhichhore Trailer: Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor Will Get You Nostalgic of Your College Days This Friendship Day (Watch Video)

"The original Derek was a rebel and a sports champ who oozed charisma. His style is an urban legend in hostel corridors even today. To inspire me for the part, Nitesh sir took me for a walk around his old campus, IIT Bombay, where Derek's name is on the sports achievers boards in all the cafeterias and corridors.  Chhichhore Director Nitesh Tiwari Might Just Avoid a ‘Saaho’ Clash on August 30! Deets Inside

"The details he divulged about Derek's personality, popularity and swag were my ammunition to prepare for this role and I have tried to do justice to my director's vision. Hopefully, the original Derek and batchmates from his era will be proud of how I have portrayed him on screen," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 03:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).