Going down memory lane, bodybuilder Rahul Bhatt opened up about training Aamir Khan during the filming of his movie Dangal. Admiring his discipline, Rahul noted that the actor is “very driven.” “He is very driven. He is very ambitious. He is a very good judge of human beings. Very good observer. He believes in identifying the right person for the right job and then letting them do their job. So, these are his qualities. . He is a world-class cooperative, definitely,” said Rahul, who is the brother of Pooja Bhatt.
Lauding his mental strength, Rahul recalled the time they were shooting in , Punjab. “We were shooting in Ludhiana. And that time, he was on a diet. But he was cool under pressure. He did his gym, swim, had a massage, had a cut-to-cut diet, and went to sleep,” recollected Rahul.
The film’s wrestling scenes, which required a bulked-up on Aamir’s part, were shot initially. But he was doing weight training throughout the film, Rahul told Hindi Rush on YouTube. “Even when he was fat (during the initial filming), he was doing weight training. He had muscle. So, he understood the process. He understood the scientific process very well,” said Rahul, adding that he has the “greatest respect, love, and admiration for him” as Aamir contributed to his success. “He made my brand for whatever it is worth. Really,” added Rahul.
Recalling the shoot days, Rahul shared that Aamir always showed up on time for early morning workouts. “All of us were working towards a unified vision, and were motivated. He used to be at the gym at 4.15 in the morning. Uska bodyguard mujhe uthakar kabhi kabaar bulaata tha ki saab aagaye (His bodyguard sometimes used to call me to wake me up and inform that he has come). He used to arrive at 4:15 and would start with the . Very motivated,” Rahul mentioned.
Rahul also traced Aamir’s fat loss journey during Dangal. “At his peak, he had 39 per cent body fat. He went down to 9 per cent body fat. He was shooting at that time. Dietary restrictions were there, but not as much on water,” said Rahul.
During the same interview, he recalled that Aamir “had little restrictions on not following a very high protein diet because of kidney issues”. “He is an anal guy in a good way. But if you eventually convince him…it’s easy,” said Rahul on his working experience with the actor.
He also detailed some of Aamir’s habits. “For a phase, he stopped smoking. For a phase, he was on vegan protein. So, I told him that vegan protein se kuch nahi hone wala (Nothing is going to happen with vegan protein). This is not going to cut the mustard. So, you have to convince him. Once he is convinced, he follows. He is all yours. He is very . Man of integrity; because he takes success very seriously,” shared Rahul.
But can you really lose so much body fat?
Dr Birali Swetha, chief dietician at Gleneagles Aware Hospital, LB Nagar, , said losing such body fat is achievable with a structured and sustainable approach under guidance.
“Restricting junk food helps cut excess calories and unhealthy fats, while reducing refined carbohydrates stabilises blood sugar and prevents fat accumulation. Intermittent fasting can aid in and improve metabolism, but it must be done correctly to avoid nutrient deficiencies,” said Dr Birali.
According to Dr. Birali, strength training builds muscle, which boosts metabolism and helps prevent muscle loss during weight reduction.
Additionally, incorporating athletic activities enhances endurance, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness. “However, body fat reduction is not a one-size-fits-all process—individual factors like medical history, metabolism, and lifestyle play a role. A balanced diet with adequate protein, fibre, and hydration is crucial for long-term success,” said Dr Birali.
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