Soon after the makers of the film Aravindha Sametha released a photo of an incredibly ripped NTR, many started questioning if what they were seeing was in fact the actor’s actual body. Or, if like many others, his abs were a result of smart photoshopping too. Netizens believed that the photo has either been touched up or enhanced at the very least.
Jr NTR is said to have hired renowned personal trainer international transformation specialist Lloyd Stevens to help him get into shape for the film. But given the short amount of time that he has had, the transformation seems unbelievable. Even sportspersons like Virat Kohli and M.S. Dhoni, whose livelihoods depend on their fitness, don’t have bodies like that to flaunt.
Jr NTR in a still from the movie Aravindha Sametha
A city-based fitness expert says that he is not convinced by the picture of Jr NTR’s bod. “A six-pack is developed by building core muscle strength in the abdomen. It takes at least nine months and two workout sessions a day to achieve it. Crunches, leg raises, criss-cross and heal touches, flutter kicks, cycling cross crunches, planks, windshield wipers, and the Russian Twist are some of the exercises that you need to perform to get six-pack abs. The photo of Jr NTR only shows four abs properly, so I am not convinced,” he says.
Another trainer from the American Council On Exercise says that the photo is a blend of hard work and minor VFX. “No doubt there’s a lot of hard work that has gone into getting into shape for the part, but I think that some VFX has been done on the abdomen area to increase the definition of the abs for better visibility.” He adds that apart from a rigorous workout regime, you also need to maintain a strict diet to get a body like that.
The six-pack abs of sportspersons, such as Virat Kohli and Christiano Ronaldo, seem to be more genuine. These stars work on their body on a regular basis as their livelihoods depend on their fitness
“Low-carb, low-fat, high-protein foods are essential for muscle-building. Multi-vitamin supplements are also vital. But given celebrities’ busy schedules, chances are that they have many cheat days,” the trainer says.
There are also some tips and tricks that could have gone into creating the perfect shot. For example, dehydrating the body can give the abs greater definition. “A few hours before a shoot I do not drink any water; that helps bring out my core abs for a picture-perfect shot. I use ice cubes and cucumber to quench my thirst,” explains actor Sunil.
International body transformation specialist Ali Mohammed, who has trained several celebrities, says that fitness has become so much of a fashion statement among men, that they’re willing to push the envelope to be one-up each other. “Fitness has become a fashion statement and everyone is getting into it. And given their demanding jobs, celebs are leaving no stone unturned,” he says.
