Since his debut in 2021, Adarsh Gurav has showcased a wide range of roles that he has played on screen. In his latest film, Kho gaye hum kahan, the spotlight shifts to a whole new dimension when he takes on the persona of a fitness trainer. Keeping up with the demands of the script, Gourav underwent a body transformation under the expert guidance of his trainer Robin Bell, co-founder of The Tribe. “Our reference was Brad Pitt from Fight Club and Snatch. Much of the credit goes to Robin, who trained me patiently over many months, but also to my nutritionist, Mishti Khatri, who made sure I followed a very specific eating plan.” Gourav told GQ.
See more
Join us as we decode the actor’s workout routine and nutrition plan to shed light on the meticulous process that brings his on-screen persona to life, not just through acting, but through a compelling physical narrative.
Building a relationship with rhythmic gymnastics
Rooted in bodyweight exercises, rhythmic gymnastics is a discipline that allows you to explore and push the limits of what your body can do. Although Gourav had experience with traditional forms of training such as weight training, he was relatively new to rhythmic gymnastics, but his dedication proved to be his greatest asset. “Adarsh would come 30 minutes before his session to prepare with a lot of mobile work and hanging,” says his coach. The couple followed a disciplined routine to prepare Gurav for his role. “We’d give ourselves a strength project, either work on building muscle or do five sets of ten pull-ups, almost every day, four times a week. Then we’ll take individual body parts and go through 30 minutes of weight training,” Bell says. That’s not all Handstands and cardio were equally important aspects of the actor’s sweat sessions.
For Gourav, the thrill comes from mastering new skill sets and pushing his body to completely new levels of physicality. “While training for the film, the only aspect I found particularly challenging was learning how to build muscle with rings, a barbell, L set two shoulder stands, and a shipayo. I found them both challenging and enjoyable, and once I started breaking them, they became more enjoyable.” the actor recalls.
Apart from the physical changes, Gourav’s training with Behl also helped his mindset. “The most positive impact of the training was building a disciplined routine. I think it just helped me release excess energy and aggression that I had. Overall, I feel like working out helps me turn off my mind and be in my body, which is rare and liberating.” he says.
Formulation of a meal plan
Achieving a goal of 8% body fat isn’t easy, and it certainly can’t be achieved without a strict nutrition plan. Bell worked closely with Gourav’s nutritionist, Mishti Khatri, to build a comprehensive strategy for the actor’s transformation. Gourav had to give up being a vegetarian by committing to a high-protein diet consisting of more than 3,000 calories a day. “He had to start eating chicken, which was difficult for him at first. But the moment he finished the film, he went back to being a vegetarian.” Bell says. The trainer recalls how Khatri had a lot to do with managing Gourav’s emotional state and making sure his nutritional needs didn’t affect his mood. “While shooting for another show in Mussoorie, Mishti was actively there to make changes. We have also been in touch with his chef to prepare his menu regularly,” he adds.
The intern becomes the coach
Gourav’s dedication to his craft influenced his approach to his fitness journey with Behl. In fact, the trainer shared that the actor has been studying their body language throughout their time together, so it could help him play the role of a fitness trainer in Kho gaye hum kahan. “If I really knew that, I would be a little more aware. However, I think he did it brilliantly. I saw him talk, walk and teach like me, which was amazing for me to see,” Bell says.
