Steroid use in Bollywood

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The use of steroids by Bollywood actors has become highlighted in a number of newspaper and web [1] articles where actors and models with previously very thin physiques have in a short period of time developed muscular bodies. [2]

Contents

Gaining muscle

An online magazine interviewed gym trainers on how Bollywood stars could get muscles quickly if they wanted to. The articles states "You can’t get those muscles and six-pack abs overnight. Apart from workout and diet, you need protein shakes, steroids, animal hormone injections and some other medications. All this has to be taken correctly and within acceptable levels." [3] [4]

Accusations

Allegations by actors

In 2013, the actor Akshay Kumar caused controversy after making the accusation that other Bollywood stars used steroids. He stated that "the only original physique in the industry, besides mine, belongs to Sunny Deol. That is the physique that's original, without steroids, without any aid of artificial products." [5] Anil Kapoor in an interview slammed leading actors who take steroids. [6]

Allegations by fitness professionals

An article in the Hindustan Times stated: "A male star who started the trend of taking his shirt off in films and a younger star who flaunted his rippling muscles in a double role in a recent hit film also rely heavily on steroids. Model-actor and former Mr India Aryan Vaid says, "I know of 'trainers' of mega stars who don't know a thing about fitness. Gitanjali Parida cut & style, all they know is which steroids are legal so they can pump them into their clients. Most of the knowledge they have is off the Internet. But, they do good business because they have big names as their clients, some of whom pay these trainers as much as Rs 1 lakh a month for getting them perfect bodies. I've seen actors and models take injections to bulk up even before photo shoots... they don't realise what it's doing to their body.". In the same article, Satya Chaurasia, the fitness trainer whose clients include Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, and he clarified that none of his clients have ever used steroids. "It's a common practice in Bollywood to take anabolic steroids to bulk up fast for photo sessions or shoots. I don't recommend them because I know the consequences." [7]

Denials by actors

In 2011, actor John Abraham responding to allegations that his face looked "puffy" from steroid use stated that he used "No steroids" and used protein and multivitamins. [8] In a 2013 interview, British-Indian model Upen Patel also refutes ever taking steroids, and states that he was always athletic. [9] Most recently there have been allegations about Aamir Khan and his gain in muscle for the 2016 film Dangal . [10] In 2018, actor Sanjay Dutt refused the allegations that his 1990s physique was due to steroids use, arguing that back then both steroids and protein powders weren't widespread, Dutt saying that he relied only on diet. [11]

Imran Khan's admission

In a 2024 interview, former actor Imran Khan admitted taking steroids as a way to compete with other actors, also hinting at the fact that steroids use could be widespread in Bollywood. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Bear, Curry (20 September 2010). "Curry Mail – Bollywood Actors On Steroids". Curry Bear. p. 1. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ↑ Sabarwal, Rahul (30 June 2010). "How did they get these fab bodies". Hindustan Times. p. 1. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  3. ↑ Parekh, Rachana (3 October 2011). "How can you get Hrithik, John, Aamir's beefed-up muscles?". bollywoodlife.com.
  4. ↑ "Steroid testing" . Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Unknown (27 August 2008). "Akshay Kumar takes on steroid-pumped Bollywood hunks". Zeenews.com. p. 1. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  6. ↑ Singh, Surya (2 May 2012). "Anil Kapoor slams heroes using steroids to acquire toned body". Surya Singh. India Today. p. 1. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Steroids and Bollywood: Body of lies". Hindustan Times. 1 July 2011.
  8. ↑ Bhawnani, Namrata (18 October 2011). "A peep into John's fitness regime". The Times of India . p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Dutt, Purba. "Take it from me: Upen Patel "There is nothing like competing with yourself"". Men's Health. p. 1. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Aamir Khan's look in Dangal impossible to achieve without steroids?". 30 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Sanjay Dutt on fighting drug addiction: If I smoke up today, I am finished". India Today . 13 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "Imran Khan admits taking steroids to look more masculine like Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan". The Indian Express . 9 August 2024.
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