Sooraj Pancholi, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, recently shared a story about his time working as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Guzaarish, starring Hrithik Roshan. In a recent interview, Pancholi revealed that he keenly observed Hrithik Roshan’s fitness routine during the film’s shoot.
Bonding Over Fitness in Goa
Pancholi recalled that he didn’t interact much with Hrithik Roshan during the initial phases of filming. However, their bond strengthened when the crew moved to Goa. Pancholi said that the atmosphere in Goa was more relaxed, with delays that provided opportunities for the actors to sit, rest, and chat. Since they were shooting songs, there was less focus on dialogues, which allowed them to connect, primarily over fitness.
Sooraj’s Pursuit of Fitness Secrets
Driven by a desire to attain a physique like Hrithik’s, Sooraj admitted to discreetly observing the actor’s fitness habits. He would ask Hrithik questions about his training regimen and trainer. “At that time, I really wanted a physique like his, so I kept asking him, ‘Sir, how long do you train for?’ or ‘Who’s your trainer?'” Sooraj said.
Sooraj also kept an eye on what Hrithik ate. “I was trying to get some of his secrets—watching what he ate, what his guy (I think his name was Shushil) was preparing for him, what kind of protein shake he was drinking, what workouts he was doing,” he explained. Looking back, Sooraj finds his actions “kind of cute”.
Hrithik’s Warmth and Kindness
Despite Sooraj’s “spying,” Hrithik Roshan was always warm and kind to him. Hrithik would affectionately call Sooraj “Champ”. “Even now, whenever he meets me, he’s really warm and kind,” Sooraj shared. He recounted a recent encounter with Hrithik at Hakim Aalim Sir’s birthday party, where the actor was just as friendly as he remembered. Sooraj hopes to work with Hrithik Roshan in the future.
Hrithik Roshan’s Fitness Philosophy
Hrithik Roshan, often hailed as the ‘Greek god of Bollywood’, is renowned for his dedication to fitness. Even at 50, he continues to inspire fans with his physique and rigorous workout routines. Hrithik’s fitness philosophy revolves around discipline, resilience, and the ability to push through pain.
Hrithik’s Workout Regimen
Hrithik’s workout routine is diverse and intense, incorporating a mix of strength training, cardio, and functional exercises. Some key elements of his regimen include:
- Weightlifting: Hrithik dedicates 45 to 60 minutes to weightlifting sessions, focusing on two muscle groups per session. Examples include back and biceps, chest and triceps, or shoulders and abs.
- Cardio: He incorporates cardio through activities like inclined walks, jogging on the beach, or swimming. Hrithik aims to walk at least 10,000 steps per day. He sometimes does cardio twice a day.
- Functional Training: Hrithik includes freehand exercises using body weight, similar to gymnasts, and yoga for flexibility.
- Variety: Hrithik constantly changes his workouts to prevent his body from adapting and to keep things interesting.
A sample of Hrithik’s workout routine includes inclined walks, push-ups, pull-ups, shoulder presses, dumbbell presses, bicep curls, butterfly chest exercises and cable crossovers.
Hrithik’s Diet Plan
Hrithik Roshan follows a strict diet to maintain his physique. He eats six to seven meals a day, often consuming them as shakes if he can’t eat whole foods. His diet includes:
- Whey protein
- Fish
- Egg whites
- Chicken
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Sweet potato
- Rice
He starts his day with six egg whites and avocado. Hrithik adjusts his diet based on his weight goals.
Importance of Rest and Hydration
Besides workout and diet, Hrithik prioritizes sleep and hydration. He goes to bed early, around 9 pm, to ensure adequate rest and healing. He also drinks approximately 4-5 liters of water each day.
Sooraj Pancholi’s Career
Sooraj Pancholi debuted in the 2015 romantic action film Hero, for which he won a Filmfare Award for Best Newcomer. He has also starred in Satellite Shankar (2019) and Time To Dance (2021). Pancholi worked as an assistant director with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Guzaarish and with Kabir Khan on Ek Tha Tiger before making his acting debut. His upcoming film is Kesari Veer.
Hrithik as a Dance Idol
Sooraj Pancholi considers Hrithik Roshan his dance idol. “When it comes to Bollywood dancing, Hrithik Roshan is my idol,” he said. Sooraj admires Hrithik’s dancing skills and appreciates the opportunity to learn new dance forms.
