Mithun Chakraborty has been bitten by the fitness bug, thanks to Salman Khan. Sources from the sets of Veer told that Salman and Mithun used to have extensive discussions on fitness and it was during the course of these discussions that Mithun decided to turn to fitness training with a vengeance -- something that he had started just before shooting for the movie. Mithun is playing Salman’s father in Veer.

Mithun told, "I have always been into fitness but thanks to Salman, I have realised that there cannot be any age to start your fitness schedule again."

The film's script required Mithun to be tremendously fit since it is set in the era of 1880 and it requires stuff like riding horses on a high speed. So, Mithun took up a rigorous fitness regime for three months to get back into shape.

A close source discloses, "When Mithun Chakroborty was first approached for the film he refused as it required him to work out rigorously for the tough look of his character. However, he then agreed to do the film as there was three months time at hand and enough time to up his fitness.”

The close source further told, "People who exercise know how muscle memory works...when you start working out again after years it all comes back. We needed someone who could look young, middle-aged and old in the film and he was the only one who could do it."

Mithunda was so involved in his exercise regime that he even stopped eating his oil-rich Bengali food for more effective results.

The close source added, "Not only has Mithunda restricted his Bengali food which is very rich but also invested Rs 25 lakhs and set up a new gym at his Madh Island farm house."