Puneet Issar gained 18 kilo of muscle for Mahabharat: ‘My body weight was no more than 80-82 kg’

Puneet Issar reveals he gained 18 kilograms of muscle to play Duryodhana in the 1988 Hindi TV series Mahabharat. At the time, Issar was an eighth-degree black belt martial artist, but his body was weak. Concerned about being outmatched by Bhim's massive size, he began weight training to build strength. In two years, he grew to weigh up to 100 kilograms for the role.

Issar's transformation allowed him to convincingly portray the character on screen. Consulting dietitian Garima Goyal explains that weight training stimulates muscles through resistance, causing them to adapt and grow, a process known as muscle hypertrophy. Factors like training intensity, exercise selection, recovery, and individual physiology impact the results.

Nutrition plays a vital role, with protein providing amino acids for muscle repair and growth, while overall calorie intake and carbohydrates fuel demanding training sessions. Adequate rest, particularly sleep, is essential for recovery and adaptation. Goyal emphasizes that while such a physique may be required for specific roles, it is not a universal fitness ideal.

Most adults should focus on regular resistance exercise to maintain lean muscle, bone health, functional strength, and support healthy aging.