Irrfan Khan played the title role, with Mahie Gill, Vipin Sharma and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the supporting cast.

In 1958, he participated in the Asian Games in Tokyo but failed to win because of his inability to adjust to the track spikes only given to him in the final event.

Pann Singh then went into the business of extorting and kidnapping wealthy businessmen in the area to accumulate money and an arsenal for his people so that they could become a proper gang.

This event caused a furor in the nation, administration, and also among the other gangs of dacoits who urge him to surrender so that the manhunt by the police would be called off, but he refused.

Paan Singh refused to surrender on the principle that while he was a sportsman holding a national record, nobody stood with him when he was facing problems, and the moment he decided to stand up for himself, he was branded a rebel and everyone wanted him arrested.

A shootout ensued where all members of the gang, including Paan Singh, were killed by a police team led by Late SP Raman, Late ASP Brij Lal Handa, Late Dy SP Yashwant Ghuraiya, and the key mastermind in whose region village Rathianpura exists, Circle Inspector Mahendra Pratap Singh Chauhan, who played the most pivotal role in putting informers in the area for Paan Singh on the night of 1st/2nd October 1981.

Dhulia worked for the film for two years, interviewing Tomar's surviving family members and visiting his native village in Bhind.

[9] To prepare for his role, Irrfan Khan trained rigorously with steeplechase coaches, even breaking his ankle at one point during the filming.

[15] The New York Times praised Irrfan Khan's performance and wrote "Without romanticizing Paan Singh Tomar, he shows his basic honesty and gives him real depth.

[16] Rajeev Masand of IBN awarded the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising Khan's performance and said "Directed competently by Dhulia, who's familiar and comfortable even with the dusty terrain, Paan Singh Tomar is made with great attention to detail and paints an honest, realistic picture of an India few of us can claim to know.

[18] Aseem Chhabra for Rediff.com gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and said "The tragedy of Paan Singh Tomar and Irrfan Khan's execution of the role are both compelling.

"[19] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and said "Paan Singh Tomar shatters the standard rules of this genre.

"[20] Blessy Chettiar of DNA rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and said, "Gritty and power-packed, Paan Singh Tomar is a tribute to the unsung heroes of sports in India.