Prashant Sawant has been helping sculpt bodies since 1998; he dishes on his experience as a celebrity trainer to Hannah Cardozo.

This remarkable trainer turned his extensive physical training experience into a valuable commodity. With an impressive track record of 25 years, Prashant Sawant has sculpted the bodies of renowned stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and many others while creating a legacy of his own. He firmly believes in the power of simplicity when achieving fitness goals. He generously shares his insights, which have the potential to transform your body, along with his expertise gained from working with these chiseled celebrities. 

What is the source of your passion and motivation for fitness?

I lived my entire childhood as a fat child; I used to be very embarrassed. I was a sportsman but I couldn’t enjoy my life. Then I understood the importance of fitness and started training and transforming myself.

What is one significant lesson you have learnt from your fitness journey?

One thing I’ve learnt in 25 years is that dedication, discipline and consistency are very important in anything you do. Additionally, you need to upgrade yourself with the times and educate yourself. That is a must.

20 years ago, you embarked on the journey of starting Body Sculptor. What inspired you to establish this business, and how has it progressed since then?

I wanted to establish Body Sculptor so that I could have my own space to train and use my philosophy. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something on my own and prove myself to people. I come from a very small family and I had a choice between buying a house or opening a gym. I chose to open a gym and fulfill my wish. I think it was the best decision of my life.  

What is a meal plan or diet that you believe people should follow?

I think that diet plays a massive role in training, it can complement your training and push your goals forward. I believe in eating how much you feel the need to. In bodybuilding and fitness, it is all about math, you need to calculate according to a lean body and your goal. Many people lose their goals and get lost because they cannot follow a proper diet and they get confused. So keep it simple.

You have been the mastermind behind Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic looks. What has it been like working with him?

I have been really fortunate to train SRK for almost 25 years now. I’ve learnt to be patient and that being consistent is more important than how much you train. That’s how after all these years he still has one of the best appearances in the industry. 

Actors often have demanding requirements for their physical appearance, particularly someone like Shah Rukh. How do you manage to meet these changing needs?

After 25 years of working with SRK, I understand his body in and out, he understands my training style, and he trusts that I know when to stop or push. We plan in advance so no requirement is too demanding. Whenever I train any actor, I always tell them you should be fit before getting into this profession, because you will not have the time to get fit later. 

You have also worked extensively with Varun Dhawan. What are some of his goals and motivators in terms of fitness?

It’s been over 10 years working with Varun Dhawan, he is passionate about his body and he loves working out. The gym is a positive environment for him. People appreciate his body, so he has to keep that up. He gives more than 200% when it comes to workouts.

How do the fitness goals of both the Bachchans differ, and what was it like working with them?

You will not believe the kind of energy Amitabh Bachchan has, he has great passion for his training. Abhishek is very knowledgeable but he has a back issue, so training is restrictive. However, they both have good energy and are an inspiration; I really enjoy training them.

Priyanka Chopra has trained with you. What were some of her fitness goals, and how did you assist her in achieving them?

I trained her for ‘Mary Kom’ and it was a great experience. She’s hardworking and that’s what makes her a superstar – she puts in hard work and readily works on whatever she’s asked to do. There were many elements to her training and I really enjoyed it. 

Ajay Devgn is known for his action-packed roles which require rigorous preparation. How do you help him prepare physically for each of these demanding roles?

I met Ajay Devgn while working on ‘Golmaal 3’ and enjoyed training him. He is the kind of person who’ll say, you just tell me what to do and I will do that. That’s how we got to work on ‘Singham’ too. He’s been very supportive of me and is very sweet. 

Is there one lesson you have learned from celebrities that people would be surprised to know?

They are ready to be moulded like clay for whatever their next project is. Which is why it becomes easier for them to pull off different looks and change roles. I’ve been very fortunate with the celebrities I train, they always follow my instructions and respect me.

For individuals who are either looking to start their fitness journey or venture into bodybuilding, what advice would you offer them?

Work out whenever you get time – whether it’s morning, evening, afternoon or night. Listen to your body, be steady and consistent, be dedicated, be disciplined, eat light, and don’t get confused. This way even if you go wrong, you don’t ruin your progress, you can continue.