Roshan Basheer on his fitness journey: I went through a lot of bullying, body shaming and was even called fatty, now they say wow

Time of India

01-07-2025

Will Varun return in Drishyam 3? That's the burning question on every fan's mind! While it's still uncertain whether Varun Prabhakar will once again surprise viewers, actor
has already stunned the Malayali audience with his dramatic transformation.
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Once weighing around 92 kg during the filming of the Mohanlal-starrer, Roshan has shed over 20 kg in recent years and now sports a strikingly fit physique.
In a candid conversation with ETimes, the actor opens up about his inspiring fitness journey.
"I went through a lot of bullying and body shaming, especially from family and friends during my college days. No one likes being called 'fatty', even if it's meant as a joke, it still hurts.
But there were also people who genuinely cared and told me I had good features and should work on myself. It was after Drushyam ( Telugu), back in 2015, that I decided to begin my fitness journey. As I started receiving more offers from both Tamil and Telugu industries, getting into shape became essential, most roles required a muscular physique.
So, here I am today," he added.
Sharing his journey, Roshan revealed that the transformation wasn't easy.
'It was tough. Giving up all my favourite foods overnight felt nearly impossible. My trainer was extremely strict, he even asked me to cut out chicken completely. I followed a low-carb, high-fiber, high-protein diet, mostly plant-based. Eggs were my main protein source, there were days I had more than 30 eggs! Egg whites, skimmed milk, robusta bananas... I stuck to the same food for months. I was training twice a day, HIIT in the morning and strength training in the evening,' Roshan shared.
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Now that he's achieved his fitness goals, Roshan says the real challenge is maintaining it.
'Once you've experienced the bliss of transformation, there's no going back to an unhealthy lifestyle. Now, I eat what I like—but I make sure to burn it off too. Sometimes I may have to skip the gym, but I never compromise on my diet. Come on, I've turned the same people who used to call me 'fatty' into ones who now say 'Wow', here's no turning back from that,' he added with a smile.
When asked to share two tips for anyone looking to undergo a transformation, Roshan said, 'First, find your motivation—whether it's a person, a goal, or even an insult. That driving force will keep you going. Second, get a good trainer. Sure, you might reach your goal without one, but with a professional guiding you, the journey becomes faster, safer, and more structured.'