Mumbai, April 14 -- Tiger Shroff has been training rigorously and has mastered several martial arts forms for his upcoming film, Baaghi.

"I have learnt Kalaripayattu, modern kung fu, Krav Maga and Silat in less than a year. It was challenging, but if you have a master who understands his or her student, he or she can mould you in a certain way and condense what usually takes 10 years," says the actor.

The 26-year-old has been working closely with ex-commando grandmaster Shifuji Shaurya Bharadwaj. Interestingly, Shifuji will be making his acting debut in the movie, as Tiger's mentor.

"We are always fascinated by on-screen heroes. But when you work with a real-life hero, you feel inspired. This film was mentally and physically challenging for me, but what he (Shifuji) goes through every day is much more gruelling," says the Bollywood actor.

When asked about the most difficult part of the training process, Tiger says he found Kalaripayattu challenging. "It is the mother of all other martial arts. It's difficult to learn a martial art form at my age, but I have become calmer after practising it," he says.

The actor's debut film, Heropanti (2014), was also high on action. Tiger says he is consciously building an action-hero image for himself in the industry. "It's all about standing out. When I look at other actors, I think, 'What am I bringing to the industry? How is it (the industry) benefiting from me?' I believe that by bringing in my talent in action and stunts, I can make a difference," says Tiger.