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Rajkummar Rao feels it’s as important for women to be fit as it is for men
Upala KBR (DNA; March 1, 2016)

To me, fitness is one of the most important elements of one's personality. It means to be healthy, both mentally and physically. I keep fit by keeping an eye on what I eat. I work out five to six days a week and try and live a healthy lifestyle without stressing too much. The three principles of fitness that I always follow are: See what you eat, health is not only physical, it's mental as well and to gain something you have to lose something.

Among the various kinds of sports activities that people do, I love running and skipping. I used to cycle a lot from Gurgaon to Delhi and back during my theatre days in Delhi. I have trained myself in martial arts for seven to eight years.

While I have never ran in a marathon, I would really like to, one day. I remember watching Forrest Gump and thinking, ‘Let’s just go out and run for no reason and let’s just keep running’.

As an actor, people have told me that I have always adapted my physique to the roles that I play. I try and meet the physical demands of my character and by doing that, I am just doing my job as an actor. I try and keep a neutral physique, so that I can mould it as per my characters. I like challenging my mind and body and transforming it for different characters.

I feel that it is as important for women to be as fit and healthy as men. Why discriminate? Being fit is important for everyone, there is no gender in fitness. Woman is the strongest and most beautiful thing made by God. As men, it’s our responsibility as well to pamper and to take care of the most precious thing we have in our life and to give her the most important thing that she deserves — RESPECT.

I think the DNA Women’s Half Marathon is a great initiative. I hope more and more women participate in it.