Picture credits : Vaishnav & Apeksha, House Of Pixels
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Well, you have toned up your body and look fitter than ever! Define your workout routine like in a week?
(To the trainer: How do you innovate Swara’s workout routine so that it stays interesting and never gets boring? Also, what works best for her body?)
Ms. Swara Bhasker:
I’m the laziest and most indisciplined person in the world and basically only workout when I HAVE TO because there is a role sitting on my head; or because I’m terrorised (in the case of Veere Di Wedding of Rhea Kapoor). For prep for Veere – I did a mix of Yoga and high intensity interval training with Rohan Sawant at Body Sculptor. Basically I just started showing up to workout. (laughs).
The best thing about working out with Rohan is that he doesn’t leave me alone if I stop showing up. He haunts me on social media also- if I stop working out 🙂 That’s basically what I need! Once I’m in the gym its easy.
Rohan Sawant: The big challenge with Swara is to make her workout regularly! I’ve known her for almost 6 years and she is most dedicated when she has a goal- rather a role that she has to work towards! With Veere she had a clear goal and it was easy for me to make sure she was regular. We did a mix of strength and high intensity interval training. She was also on a diet and so the days that she was tired or fatigued we balanced out with lighter workouts. We make our workouts interesting with chit chat and gossiping about the film industry. Swara actually has a body and metabolism that responds well and quickly to regular training – the regular part is the challenge.
Swara: It’s true I cannot deny it. I’m his worst client (laughs)
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In a recent interview, you said “Around two months before I began shooting for Veere Di Wedding, I went on a Ketogenic diet.” How was your experience following a the keto diet? Why did you choose it? (To the nutritionist: What was Swara’s diet in a day?”)
Ms. Swara Bhasker:
Yes, so actually I met one of Rohan’s friends at the gym and she looked like literally she had shrunk! So I went to her nutrionist Jaydeep Bhuta and I told him that I had a limited amount of time and I needed a goal oriented diet- just for the period of my Veere Di Wedding shooting. Jay understood my requirements, he explained the whole method of Ketosis to me very scientifically and put me on a Ketogenic diet and modified it every 10 days depending on my requirements and responses. He also gave me a maintenance diet, when I had achieved my goal.
Jaydeep Bhuta: Swara came to me 8 weeks before the shoot of Veere Di Wedding. Her intake was like that of any normal person. She was never on any diet so consumed whatever she wished to eat. Getting her rearrange her macros wasn’t very hard. She was very motivated and stuck to the diet I gave her from the start.
Her diet mainly revolved around leafy green vegetables as a source of carb. Lean meats and eggs as a source of protein and a mix of saturated fats and mono unsaturated fats coming from ghee and olive oil. Though there were a few days that I made her diet a little relaxed..
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been known to keep it natural when it comes to beauty. Share with us some tips for natural and organic skincare and haircare.
Ms. Swara Bhasker:
I think one has to understand that the kind of beauty we are sold on magazine covers is a constructed and cosmetic kind of beauty. To feel beautiful, you have to start by feeling fit and healthy and mentally feeling positive. I think a balanced diet, enough sleep, a loving family and good friends to have fun with are the real beauty secret – I’m literally not joking!!!! Other than that, I love natural face masks made from whatever is available in the fridge – dahi, fruits, honey, oats, besan.. My simple mantra for skincare is cleanse (I take off ALL my make up, wash, tone and moisturise- no matter how late I get home from shoot or party) and moisturise! I moisturise like mad!!! And for hair- I try and oil before wash and do regular hair-packs and deep conditioning when I can.