Pulkit Samrat is all set to play the role of a boxer from Haryana in the upcoming Netflix series. grandeur. The actor will step inside the ring for his role, where he will face professional boxer Neeraj Goyat in a live boxing match. During the film’s trailer launch event, the actor had described it as a “different” experience getting into the ring with a real-life boxer.
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To prepare for his role and achieve the lean, muscular physique of a boxer, Pulkit Samrat Took rigorous training with celebrity fitness coach Drew Neal. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Drew talked in detail about how he prepared Pulkit for the role, what his training was like, his diet, fitness schedule and more.
Pulkit looks incredibly lean and muscular in the trailer – many actors look fit on screen but don’t move like athletes. How did you go about turning him into a credible boxer?
I have trained many people who are complete beginners in boxing and other combat sports, and I have trained them in every way to become professional and world class fighters. I contacted Pulkit Training Exactly like that. When I met him he had no prior boxing experience, so I was working with a new student. I taught the basics, making sure the techniques were perfect.
I also believe that fighting and combat sports are a form of self-expression. So, although I taught her the basics, I also allowed her to have her own opinions on things. So, although some parts may not be technically correct for a boxer to fight, this was Pulkit’s interpretation of how he wanted to express himself with all the fundamental techniques.
When you first started working with Pulkit for Glory, what was his baseline fitness level and what were your main goals?
It is very clear that Pulkit has always been interested in health and fitness, and he takes great care of himself. So when I met him, he was already in great shape. He was doing a lot of strength and conditioning training with me before he learned boxing. So his fitness level was really very good… but the main thing for me was to teach him boxing skills and make him not only behave like a boxer, but almost become a boxer, so that everything becomes second nature. This meant doing boxing training, and not just learning the techniques, but doing the type of strength and conditioning sessions that boxers do.
Can you tell us what a typical training day looked like for Pulkit?
Pulkit often did two to three sessions a day. There will usually be a strength and conditioning session, a boxing session, and then also some physio work to help him recover so he can go out again and do all the same things the next day. For strength and conditioning, he had to lift weights, but he had to do it the way a boxer trains because movements are very important, so it’s not just a case of lifting weights and training like a bodybuilder.
What did Pulkit’s daily diet look like? Did they follow a strict meal plan, give up carbs or sugar to look lean?
Pulkit is very knowledgeable about food and he knows what works for his body. I was there to guide them and provide observational feedback. One thing I actually suggested was that he might need to eat a little more food for energy. Boxing training can be very, very tiring. So he had to make sure he was eating enough. We didn’t really need to follow any specific diet plan because he already eats very well and is a very clean, strategic eater.
In Glory, Pulkit is playing the character of a boxer from Haryana. Did you take inspiration from real boxers?
I’m sure it’s safe to say that Pulkit became and still is obsessed with boxing. So he would constantly send me videos not only of the boxers’ fights but also of their training methods. So he definitely got some inspiration from professional boxers and was willing to try some things. However, what I wanted to ensure was not that he became just another boxer, but that he moved in a way that felt natural, while also developing his own style.
Such changes require serious discipline – how did Pulkit remain consistent? Were there moments when he hit a plateau or burnout?
Of course, these types of changes are not the only changes. Luckily, Pulkit was extremely motivated and excited about this project. I think it was something he was looking forward to doing and was, in fact, anticipating the challenge well. So honestly, there wasn’t really any plateau. It was a steep learning curve in many places. But he challenged himself and did what was necessary.
Any interesting or unexpected moment that stands out from training with Pulkit? How long did the entire transformation take from start to finish?
During shooting, when they are doing fight scenes, they are choreographed and given careful attention. Unfortunately, accidents happen. There was one instance where Pulkit punched him in the face, which left him shocked. That was fine; He shrugged it off and continued shooting. But I think it was an eye-opener for him. And maybe he realizes how tough the sport of boxing is and how bad it can take a toll on your body.
You’ve also trained actors like Farhan Akhtar – how is each transformation different?
I think I was especially lucky with these two actors, because they are both already very fit and active. None of them knew how to box. So that’s always a challenge, getting a rookie into a situation where they can actually look like they can box on screen and they don’t have to act, but actually be a boxer. So every change is a little different, whether it’s a time constraint, a motivational constraint, or a capacity constraint. Everyone has different zones. Luckily for me, these actors are incredibly versatile, well-built, fit, and athletic. So teaching him to become a boxer from scratch was not a big task.
What is your advice for people pursuing quick results versus lasting fitness?
I would choose sustainable fitness over quick results every day of the week. I understand that some actors need to achieve a specific look within a short time frame. So yes, for that example, I understand that quick results are sometimes necessary. However, for the average person and the majority of people, lasting results are more important than quick results every day of the week. There is no quick solution to fitness, health, weight loss or muscle gain. You have to be consistent. You have to remain disciplined. You have to do the right things day after day and develop really good habits. And I think that’s the great thing about fitness. You can’t buy it. You have to earn it.
A fitness myth you want to bust?
There are so many myths out there, I could probably speak on this for hours, but I think probably the simplest one or the one that becomes very obvious is that you can’t escape a bad diet. Training in the gym, playing a sport or taking a walk is wonderful, but it only lasts for an hour or two. A diet and control over what you put in your mouth last for another 23 hours. How you fuel your body is probably the most important thing you can do to stay fit. So the myth that ‘I’ll eat what I want and go to the gym and train one, two, three times a week, and that will hide everything,’ won’t work. You have to take control of what you eat and fuel your body for the fitness and lifestyle you want.
The one exercise everyone should do to stay fit and lean?
There is no one exercise that everyone should do to stay fit and lean. The best exercise is the one the person is most likely to do. So if that’s playing sports, taking a walk, or doing 10 burpees in the morning. Whatever the person enjoys and is most likely to do on a habitual, consistent basis is the best exercise for them.
The one food habit you think makes the biggest difference?
For me, when it comes to food, I think the best habit to have is to understand what each food does. So you need a basic understanding of how many calories you should consume each day, what carbohydrates, proteins, and fats do, and how much of each macronutrient you should consume. To achieve your goals, you need to count how many calories you consume every day. I’m not saying you need to do this your whole life because it’s not healthy. But do it over time so you can understand how many calories each food contains and what difference it makes to your weight.
What exactly is your definition of being ‘fit’?
To me, being fit means that a person can do all the things he enjoys without any complications. So if he’s going out on a Sunday and playing football with his mates, or if he’s going to the park and playing with his kids, or if he’s going to work and not feeling tired when he comes home, that’s fitness. It’s about being able to do all the things you love and have to do every day, without any negative reactions, whether it’s injuries, fatigue, weight loss or weight gain, and that’s what matters.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
