Unni Mukundan stands out in Malayalam cinema with his enviable physique. The hunk, however, says he didn’t mean to shape up a six pack just to show off. Working out has turned a part of his life since he was 14 years, he says.
Mukundan set up a mini gym in his house at Edappally after he got busy with films. The gym has all the equipment for preliminary workout. He still goes to a gym at Cheranellore whenever he can. He, however, admits that his fitness regimen has gone for a toss for the past three months because of his hectic shooting schedule. Here's his advice for fans to help them get ready for summer.
Basic tool
An actor’s basic tool is his body. A healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. Many of the dreaded villains in movies are so gentle in life because they keep themselves healthy.
I shiver at the thought of going to the hospital. I prefer the aches resulting from lifting weights to a needle prick.
Mighty muscles
Nobody will build muscles after a week at the gym. It is a gradual change. We would not be able to track the changes to our bodies because we would be constantly looking in the mirror. But you will start getting positive comments within six months.
Do not hit the gym when you are too young. Start lifting weight only when you are 17 or 18. At the same time, you have to sustain the initial enthusiasm throughout.
Fitness
There is no dearth of fitness tips on social media, like lime juice is good to reduce your belly and grow a six pack. Please do not waste your time testing those. Haven’t you heard? No gain without pain. You won’t get a six pack if you starve. Eat well, work out well. No other short cuts. We can be fit at any age if we try hard. My mother had shed 12 kilos by exercising when she was 50.
To the fans
I do not pay much attention to my dressing. If you spot me wearing a T shirt, you can infer that I have been working out a lot and keeping my body fit. If I have put on a shirt, that means I have missed gym session quite a lot.
Food
I spend most of my income on food. When I was shooting for ‘Vikramadithya’ I used to have eight meals a day to gain weight. I eat an apple before hitting the gym, another one during the workout and some oats if I feel too tired. Once I reach home, I drink a glass of juice. Later, a concoction of dry fruits and strawberry in milk. The breakfast – mostly chapatti and vegetable curry – will be over before 11 am. Another glass of juice before lunch. Lunch would be rice and fish curry.
If you eat well and exercise well, you will not have to rely on medicines and fear injections, Mukundan reveals his fitness mantra.
Hero and villain
I focus on hero roles but I am ready to do villain roles too. I will do any role, which I can’t refuse. Now I am acting in Oru Murai Vanthu Parthaya. After that, I will be doing a Telugu cinema ‘Janata Garage’ with Mohanlal. The movie will be dubbed into Malayalam.
Roles
I got the character role in ‘Fireman’ after doing the lead role in KL 10. That role along with Mammootty had tremendous potential. I got another lead role in Style. My films have given me utmost satisfaction. Each film had different characters, different in speech and body language.
Actor Anoop Menon had called me up to congratulate on KL 10. Now I am all excited about acting opposite Mohanlal.