Filming of movie on Sikh boxer underway in US

The filming of a movie based on the true story of a Sikh boxer, who was barred from the sport as he refused to shave his beard, is underway at a US university.

The filming of the movie "Tiger", which has many Indian-origin actors playing important roles, is underway on the campus of Miami University Hamilton, Journal News reported on Monday.

Apart from Prem Singh, the protagonist playing the role of Indo-Canadian boxer Pardeep Nagra, actors like Jagpal Grewal, Rachhpal Sahota and Gyami Amrik Singh have been chosen to play important roles in the movie.

"We have been working on several projects and we are happy to be working on this one," Sahota said.

Singh and Grewal both said they liked working with the cast and filming, which started last week.

The "modern-day boxing drama" has American actor Mickey Rourke playing the role of a boxing coach.

Nagra was kicked off a soccer team for anger issues, only to be discovered by boxing coach Frank Donovan played by Rourke.

Through that partnership, Nagra goes on to become a US Olympic hopeful boxer.

Nagra came to Canada from India when he was an infant. He was an excellent athlete but his boxing career was cut short because Canadian Amateur Boxing Association had barred him from fighting for refusing to shave his beard.

According to international amateur boxing rules, beards are a safety hazard in the ring.

The boxing champion fought for the right to compete without having to shave his beard -- a mandatory article of his Sikh faith.

In 2000, he won an important decision for all Canadians and fought at the national championships with his beard intact.