Fighter actor Rishabh Sawhney reveals how childhood bullying, food poisoning and unhealthy eating habits contributed to his dramatic weight loss during college.
Actor Rishabh Sawhney has opened up about a challenging period in his life. Known for playing Azhar Akhtar in Fighter, he revealed that he lost nearly 60 kg in just six months.
However, his transformation was not part of a planned fitness journey.
Instead, childhood bullying, an unexpected illness and extreme food restriction contributed to his weight loss.
Moreover, the actor warned others against following the unhealthy diet he adopted during college.
Rishabh Sawhney Recalls Weighing 120 Kg
Rishabh Sawhney weighed around 120 kg after completing Class 12.
In July 2010, he moved to Tamil Nadu to study engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT).
At the time, he was just 18 years old.
However, his life changed dramatically over the following months.
By January 2011, he had lost approximately 60 kg.
Recalling the experience, Rishabh said:
“I went there when I was 18, in July 2010, and by January 2011, I had lost about 60 kgs. So, in six months, I lost 60.”
Nevertheless, the transformation was not the result of a structured fitness programme.
Childhood Bullying Affected Rishabh Sawhney
Rishabh also spoke about facing bullying because of his weight.
During childhood, people frequently teased him about his appearance.
Although the comments affected him, he often tried to distract himself.
He shared:
“I knew that I had to become lean since childhood because people used to tease me and bully me, and it used to affect me, but I used to distract myself. I never realised how much it affected me.”
Moreover, the actor admitted that he did not fully understand the emotional impact at the time.
His experience highlights how childhood bullying can affect confidence and self-image.
Food Poisoning Became a Turning Point
Rishabh revealed that his weight loss began after an unexpected illness.
During his first days at college, he ate dinner at the campus mess.
Unfortunately, he developed food poisoning and was hospitalised for 10 days.
Following the incident, he decided to avoid eating at the mess.
However, this decision led to an unhealthy eating routine.
Instead of following a balanced diet, he began severely restricting his food intake.
Rishabh Sawhney Reveals His Extreme Maggi Diet
The actor revealed that he ate only one packet of Maggi noodles a day during his first semester.
As a result, his food intake became extremely limited.
However, Rishabh acknowledged that this approach was unhealthy.
He said:
“Instead, for my first semester, I was only eating one packet of Maggi throughout the day. I would recommend no one to do that because it is very unhealthy.”
Furthermore, he made it clear that his experience should not be treated as fitness advice.
Extreme food restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other serious health problems.
Therefore, his dramatic weight loss should not be confused with a safe or sustainable fitness transformation.
Rishabh Sawhney Reflects on His Personal Journey
Looking back, Rishabh described his transformation as a major chapter in his life.
The experience involved physical changes as well as emotional challenges.
Moreover, his reflections revealed how childhood teasing had affected him.
Although his appearance changed significantly, the circumstances behind his weight loss were difficult.
His story highlights the importance of understanding the emotional and physical aspects of health.
From Fighter to Nagabandham
Beyond his personal journey, Rishabh Sawhney has continued to build his acting career.
He gained wider recognition for portraying Azhar Akhtar in Fighter.
Furthermore, he explored a different acting challenge through his double role as Ali and Abdali in Nagabandham.
These projects have allowed him to showcase his versatility.
Moreover, his performances have helped him establish a growing presence in the entertainment industry.
Rishabh Sawhney Appears at New York Fashion Week
Rishabh has also expanded his professional journey beyond films.
Recently, he appeared as a showstopper at New York Fashion Week.
The appearance marked another milestone in his career.
Furthermore, it gave him an opportunity to participate in an international fashion event.
From acting to fashion, Rishabh continues to explore different creative opportunities.
Rishabh Sawhney’s Story Highlights the Importance of Health
Rishabh Sawhney’s weight loss journey is more complex than a typical celebrity transformation story.
Although he lost approximately 60 kg in six months, the actor has openly warned against the unhealthy habits behind it.
Moreover, his experience highlights the emotional impact of childhood bullying.
His story also reminds audiences that rapid weight loss does not necessarily mean better health.
Ultimately, Rishabh’s reflections emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition, emotional well-being and sustainable fitness habits.
What are your thoughts on Rishabh Sawhney speaking openly about his weight loss and childhood struggles? Share your views in the comments, and follow Awesome TV for more Bollywood interviews, celebrity stories and entertainment updates!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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