The real race to fitness for Milap Zaveri

Before 130kgs; (right) After 98kgs

I raced with my son a few weeks ago, and beat him. He was so upset," Milap Zaveri says in the midst of this conversation with a hearty laugh. The statement, from the man who is known to be a doting father to his seven-year old, may seem rather misplaced. But this win was reason to cheer. Only seven months ago, Mehaan was angered when his father, Zaveri, couldn't play with him in the park. A few steps in, and the director - weighing 130 kilos then - would be rendered breathless, leaving Mehaan, upset. This seemingly innocuous interaction preceded another incident that served as the final jolt that Zaveri needed to adopt a weight-loss programme.

"One day, I suddenly felt pain in my left arm. I told my wife Gauri about it and she suggested that we head to the doctor. That drive was an emotional one. I began to explain [our] finances to her, in case [something happened]. She kept reassuring me. Fortunately, it was a muscle issue and was unrelated to the heart. But it was the wake-up call [I needed]. I am 42, with a seven-year-old son, and a lovely wife. I want to be around him when he grows up. Also, I didn't want to feel lethargic and unprepared during the years that he is growing up. I had let myself go; I took to bad eating habits, which worsened due to my erratic schedule. The exercise routine went for a toss. This needed to change."

Often seen ordering a variety of junk meals on his set, Zaveri began to leave his crew members amused as he'd walk in with "dabbas" carrying three specially prepared meals from a healthy meals service. Every meal was carefully created in accordance with Zaveri's needs. "Yousuf [Nalwala, from the company] said that his preparations were precisely the amount I need to consume in a day. Not only was the food tasty, but it also included carbohydrates like brown rice and multi-grain chapati, for the first four months. When you think of ‘diet' food, you imagine sprouts, and that can be [off-putting]. But these meals were not like that, and that made the process easier. But, I didn't have a cheat day for two months. Even if people offered me a few bites of their meals, I'd stick to my own."

Zaveri supplemented his new eating plan with running sessions, conducted six days a week. He began with walking sessions on the treadmill, progressed to jogging bouts, and subsequently took to intense sprinting sessions. "Today, I can cover 11 kilometres in 80 minutes," he says of the noteworthy record.

The mental boost that this journey has given Zaveri becomes evident in simple things - once filled with images of his films' posters, his social media feed now features pictures of him instead. It takes an army, he agrees, to enable a person to get the help that they need. After having shed the initial eight kilos easily, he admits that hitting a plateau was disheartening. "At such a time, you derive motivation from the words of your nutritionist who tells you that such phases are normal, and can be broken. A lot of this process depends on your mental [state].

Being complimented for your looks, and encouraged by your social circle to stick to your plan are factors that make a difference. My wife, in-laws, and friends kept pushing me to keep going. They would rearrange their schedule to keep themselves free over the weekend because I indulge in cheat meals on Sundays. They are the ones who can make or break [such an attempt]."

While he practices cardiovascular activities and weight training alternately, Zaveri says he has "made peace" with his routine. Mondays and Saturdays, however, are the toughest days to navigate. "On Monday, which follows Sunday's cheat meals, the tummy is in turmoil. And on Saturdays, [my trainer makes me perform] the toughest workout to account for the next day's cheat meal." There's no stopping him just yet, as Zaveri says he aims to shave another 20 kilos. "Who knows? I may go all the way and get six-pack abs."

Talking about six-pack abs, what role did his long-time friend John Abraham play in his journey? "He always gives me good suggestions and encourages me [to stay fit]. But, if I tell him I've lost 10 kilos, he's the sort to say, ‘You need to lose 20 more'."

11km
Distance Zaveri covers in 80 minutes on the treadmill

Zaveri on his meal plan

For breakfast, I have oats that have been soaked overnight. I couple it with fruits and dark-chocolate toppings. I have reduced my carb intake in the other meals of the day. Lunch comprises a paneer preparation, or a continental one. It may also be egg bhurji. For dinner, I have paneer cutlet or a salad.