/> For his role of the 18-year old government agent in Mukhbiir, Sammir Dattani who turned 25 on Jan 27, underwent rigorous physical and diction training.

"A mullah was called for me to pronounce the religious terms in an alien language perfectly ...Not an easy task for someone who thinks in English. But I was determined to get it right."

Sammir not only learnt the language properly, he also got the culture, clothing and body language of a Hyderabadi youth so right that by the time the unit was ready to shoot in a volatile crowded religious congregation, he looked an absolute natural.

Recalls Sammir, "It was the ultimate test. If I got it wrong my life would have been in danger. They don't allow people from the outside to enter their festivities. If you're caught your life is in danger.

Because they have knives and swords even guns, which they don't hesitate to use. I was left alone in a crowd of thousands while my director Mani Shankar shot with a secret camera from far –off."

The entire unit was so distant there was nothing they could do if anything went wrong. "I've never been more scared in my life," shudders Sammir.

His worst fears came true when a section of the congregation couldn't recognize him as one of their own. "They asked me my name. I told them my name in the film. They asked me to show them my ID card.

Obviously I didn't have it. I fumbled in my pocket pretending to look for it. And then...I just ran for my life without looking back!"

It was the most petrifying experience of the young actor's life. "And if I was able to celebrate my 25th birthday it's only because I've swift legs," he grins.

"Incidentally I play a marathon runner who loses a leg in Nisha Chainani's Mumbai Marathon. I guess hazards go wherever I do."