Chennai, April 14 (NationPress) Actor Arya, who takes on a leading role in the highly anticipated spy thriller Mr X directed by Manu Anand, has revealed the extreme measures he undertook to film a crucial underwater scene.

The sequence, which serves as the film's opening shot, was captured in a diving pool of 20 feet deep in Mumbai. Sources from the production team state that the actor plunged into the frigid waters at this depth, sans clothing, while holding his breath for what Manu Anand described as a groundbreaking feat for Tamil cinema.

Traditionally, Indian films film underwater scenes at a depth of just six feet using submerged platforms.

For Mr X, however, this was not feasible. The scene demanded that Arya dive to 20 feet to authentically recreate the deep ocean environment — a depth that posed significant physical challenges, particularly the cold water, which was around 15 to 16 degrees.

Arya expressed, "As we descend, the water temperature drops — it was around 15 to 16 degrees, extremely cold. Performing the scene bare-bodied required me to maintain composure without shivering. Managing my body while holding my breath for 30 to 40 seconds during action was incredibly daunting for me."

At such depths, Arya had to exercise full physical control to avoid showing any reaction to the icy conditions while delivering a believable performance.

The complexity of the shoot extended beyond the individual takes. To enhance efficiency and minimize time lost through repeated dives, Arya and the underwater camera crew remained submerged for durations of one-and-a-half to two hours at a time. He described this as the most physically demanding experience of his career.

Arya noted, "Once we submerged, the camera team and everyone else stayed down — we could only surface after one and a half to two hours."

Despite the harsh conditions, the set was equipped with advanced technology. Sources claim that underwater speakers and microphones enabled Arya to hear Manu Anand's directions and receive immediate feedback on his performance during breaks.

Reflecting on the experience, Arya stated, "At the end of the day, seeing the final product on screen makes me very pleased with the outcome of this sequence. When audiences view the film, they will grasp the importance of this moment."

Mr X draws inspiration from seven real-life incidents that transpired in India between 1965 and 2023.

Produced by Maverik Movies Pvt Ltd and Prince Pictures, the film also features Gautham Karthik, Manju Warrier, and Sarathkumar, and is slated for a global theatrical release on April 17 this year.