Ranbir KAPOOR on beauty, health, fitness and wellness.
Ranbir Kapoor, the much-adored, handsome Bollywood star, and one of its finest actors today, is as popular among youth, thanks to his lean, yet muscular physique, as Rohit ‘Hitman’ Sharma is with his blazing willow.
While acting ‘runs’ in Kapoor’s veins — the star-son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and the grandson of ace actor-director and India’s greatest showman, Raj Kapoor — his histrionic talents go far beyond genetics alone.
Kapoor is a worthy recipient of a string of Filmfare and other awards.
It is a given that most people know Kapoor’s ‘actor’ bearings, all right, and that he actually has little time to visit a gym regularly due to his erratic working hours. Wait a minute.
There are more than a few out there who know that Kapoor takes his personal trainer wherever he goes — to make sure that he doesn’t miss his workouts and eats just right.
Your view on beauty?
It’s a simple definition. You’d think of the fact that everyone who is in harmony with oneself is beautiful. Beauty is also the value of human relationships — not just about a partner, parents, friends, or directors, but whoever is in your orbit.
I am not saying that I have reached a point where I know everything. It’s a constant struggle and you have to keep evolving as a person to be better, and beautiful, and that’s what I want to be.
I want to be a good person, I’d like to do good work, get married, have children and die happy. This is beauty for me — of being myself, not someone else.
Your ‘take’ on fitness?
Fitness is everything for physical health and emotional wellness. I usually work out in a gym, 5-6 days a week, for about 45+ minutes. I do thorough ‘gymming,’ more so because I’m not fond of swimming, or yoga.
I like working on my chest and back; not so much cringes for me, because I find it painful sometimes, especially in the legs. I love listening to music while working out.
My daily workout also includes cardio for 5-10 minutes — to warm up. I focus on different body parts — chest and back, shoulder, legs, also biceps — on different days.
I like doing kickboxing; maybe, once in a while. I’d also like to share a secret about my healthy weight. I’m a foodie, all right, but I eat small portions and I stay active. Football is my passion. I play the sport at least twice a week.
Your view of health and wellness?
Health and wellness for me is being fit in the mind and body, being happy, and in sync with nature, or things around you. Being free of illness is one part, and being illness-free is another — the two sides of the same coin.
Health and wellness also relates to eating well and eating smart.
- Breakfast. I’ve milk with cornflakes and a banana; egg white omelette and brown bread toast with a glass of fresh juice. Black, or espresso coffee
- Lunch. Tandoori chicken with daal and two chapattis
- Dinner. Grilled salmon, fish, and chicken
- On the sets. Fruits and juices; green and Darjeeling tea.
- Supplements. Multivitamins and whey protein shakes twice a day — after workout and after dinner.
Note: I’ve a weakness for an odd soft drink and a ‘weak spot’ for a random slice of cake. But, that’s okay.
Your ‘take’ on work-life balance?
You ought to keep a good, albeit fine, balance in professional and personal life. This is good for you and for people around you. When the two are in sync, life is in harmonious balance.
When the two are in dissonance, it shakes the world under your feet and also mind. The result is stress compounded by discord.
Your mantra to beat stress?
It’s rightly said that the simplest of ideas are the best of ideas. Figure out what is ‘eating’ you and de-stress. Slow down; simplify your schedule. Get adequate sleep. Use relaxation techniques, like meditation.
Fortify your social network. Get physically active. Try to resolve stressful issues, or situations, if you can. Put yourself first — realise that you matter; in fact, you matter the most. Nurture your mind and body.
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage, now and then. Do things you really love, like reading, travelling etc. Watch your diet, because you’re what you eat.
