Vicky Kaushal’s bulky Chhaava to lean Love & War transformation surprised you too? Here's what went into it

The country has currently surrendered to the big-screen magic of Chhaava, which was released on February 14, and there is no sign of the frenzy fading anytime soon. Vicky Kaushal stars in the movie as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who has undergone a complete transformation and is earning widespread appreciation. While his on-screen persona has captivated audiences, his off-screen promotional looks have also left fans surprised. The actor, who appears bulked up in Chhaava, now looks noticeably lean in real life. This transformation is for his next film with the maverick Sanjay Leela Bhansali, titled Love & War. Below is everything you need to know about it.

Vicky Kaushal’s Transformation from Chhaava to Love & War

For the uninitiated, Vicky Kaushal is stepping into the world of Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the first time with Love & War, where he will be seen alongside Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. The movie is a period drama, and the trio has already begun filming. What has left fans fascinated is Vicky’s drastic transformation from the bulky Chhaava look to the lean Love & War persona. Now, in a conversation with TOI, Vicky’s trainer, Tejas Lalwani, has revealed what went into achieving this look. 

Speaking about the transition, Tejas jokingly said, "It was very easy. We completed Chhaava, and he went for a holiday. And for that time span, we didn’t know each other (laughs)! He was eating what he wished to, and there was no stopping him. He enjoys his life; he enjoys his food." Tejas, appreciating Vicky’s naturally strong metabolism, revealed how easy it is for the actor to lose weight. However, after returning from the holiday, the team had a structured plan in place to help him achieve the leaner physique required for Love & War.

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"For him, dropping weight is quite an easy task metabolically. But once we were back, there was a plan. We went into a calorie deficit, but it was done very systematically. We planned a calorie deficit of around 2000 to 2500 calories per day, and every week we would monitor how he was losing weight and whether we were achieving the desired structure," said Tejas.

Tejas emphasized that their approach wasn’t just about reducing calories but also about adjusting the plan based on Vicky Kaushal’s hectic schedule. "We also had to manipulate his diet depending on his shooting schedule and daily routine. On days when he was shooting multiple things, or on days when he was doing nothing, the approach had to change accordingly," he added. He further mentioned that, at a certain point, they had to hire a nutritionist to balance everything effectively.

Love & War is set to hit the big screen on March 20, 2026. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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