Bollywood is trading traditional workouts for a sport that combines fitness, competition and plenty of social time, says Shweta Shah.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt isn’t being particularly subtle about her enthusiasm, having shared a video of herself playing padel and describing the sport as an “obsession.” Padel has also become something of a family activity. Alia has been photographed playing while her husband Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Raha were at the court, with Ranbir and Raha seen cheering her on. There is a fitness reason behind the appeal, too. Padel combines quick movement, repeated bursts of activity, agility and hand-eye coordination.
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor has long been associated with racquet sports, and padel has now joined tennis and pickleball in his sporting rotation. He was photographed playing padel in Mumbai. His connection to Alia’s padel routine makes the sport feel like something of a couple’s shared pastime. For Ranbir, the attraction seems to fit neatly into a larger pattern: fitness that feels like sport rather than a workout. Padel’s constant movement and quick rallies offer cardio and agility work without the repetitiveness of a traditional gym session.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone’s approach to fitness has always been less about a single exercise and more about consistency. Padel now appears to be part of that wider mix. Deepika and Alia were photographed together after playing a game in Mumbai, both carrying their racquets and dressed in workout gear. It also makes sense for someone whose established fitness routine includes strength, Pilates and yoga. Padel brings something different to the mix: short bursts of cardio, footwork, quick reactions and the competitive element of an actual game.
Varun Dhawan
Varun Dhawan is no stranger to high-intensity fitness, and he has now been spotted swapping some of that gym time for the padel court. Recent sightings show that it isn’t simply a one-off celebrity appearance: Dhawan has continued to turn up for padel sessions, including playing despite Mumbai’s monsoon weather. The actor, already known for maintaining a demanding fitness routine, has embraced the sport’s faster, more playful form of cardio.
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Earlier this year, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared photographs from a padel session and joked that she was entering her “padel era” – adding, “Never say Never.” Kareena’s existing fitness routine includes yoga and strength work, making padel another way to bring movement and variety into her schedule. Unlike a conventional gym workout, padel has the advantage of feeling like leisure as much as exercise. The smaller court, doubles format and quick rallies make it inherently social.
Ibrahim Ali Khan
Ibrahim Ali Khan shared a photograph of himself playing padel, captioning it simply: “Padel Fever.” Ibrahim’s relationship with fitness extends beyond the court. In an interview, he spoke about intense workouts, running, discipline and the importance of balancing a serious fitness routine with the occasional cheat day. He also described sport as something that runs deep in his life alongside cinema.
