Working with seniors and established actors not only allows a young actor to learn from the best but also grow as a person. Mrunal Thakur, too, admits that while working with actors like John Abraham (Batla House; 2019), Hrithik Roshan (Super 30; 2019), Shahid Kapoor (Jersey) and Farhan Akhtar (Toofaan), she realised the importance of holistic fitness, over and above the requirements for a character.

“Being paired opposite these co-stars, who unconsciously taught me so much, I realised staying fit and being healthy is a virtue that is required for me in the long term,” she says.

The 28-year-old actor has noticed that each of these actors are effortlessly and confidently able to take on parts that require one to physically push boundaries because they are certain they will be able to pull it off.

Thakur shares, “I took up fitness very seriously after my first few films. I knew I wanted to be able to do any part that comes to me and that would happen or to be physically able to prep for it, fitness should be a continual process. Fitness is a lifestyle choice and I have made it gradually. I don’t believe in starving myself or doing crash diets. I eat everything. I swear by yoga and mixed martial arts. I workout everyday regardless of how busy I am. Through the lockdown, I have been through quite a few dull days but I invested emotionally in becoming fitter. I feel a lot more active now.”