THODUPUZHA: Rahul, a 31-year-old beautician based in Thodupuzha, has a distinguishing speciality. He is the first Keralite to train 'Kali' Filipino martial art which helps him to overpower his opponent in just three seconds.

It was the film Malayalam film 'Yodha' that inspired him to learn martial arts. At the age of 19, he sold his motorbike and travelled to Nepal to learn martial arts. However, he was unable to find a trainer there and was forced to return home within a few days. Despite his dream getting shattered, Rahul was determined to learn martial arts. He then went on to work in his beauty parlour and saved every penny to realise his dream. Later, he moved to Pune and became the first Malayali disciple of Kanishka Sharma, a warrior monk who has trained Indian soldiers and several bollywood actors. Rahul went on train under Kanishka Sharma for 10 years and learnt 7 martial arts.

However, Rahul's family members and native people came to know about his martial arts skills only when several youngsters from various states came to train under him. Rahul, who has mastered karate, Shaolin kung fu, kalarippayattu, kali, boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and jeet kune do, is also running a martial arts institute. Having acquired training from Bhutan and Nepal, Rahul wishes to become a stunt master in movies.