Nimisha Sajayan reveals gruelling 14-kg weight gain for new role
Actress Nimisha Sajayan has spoken about the intense physical transformation she undertook for her role in Babita Singh Reporting, revealing that she gained approximately 14 kg to play the character.
Sajayan said she weighed about 58 kg when she was selected for the role of Assistant Sub-Inspector Babita Singh. With the help of a team that included a doctor and chef, she gradually increased her food intake and eventually reached around 72 kg.
The actress said her daily calorie intake began at approximately 1,200 calories before eventually rising to as much as 8,000 calories.
She described consuming that quantity of food as extremely difficult, saying the experience involved eating almost continuously. At the same time, she said the transformation helped her connect more deeply with the character and made the process worthwhile.
In the film, Sajayan portrays Babita as a police officer who lacks confidence and is frequently underestimated by the people around her. The character’s experiences of being dismissed and judged form an important part of her journey.
After completing the project, Sajayan said she immediately began working to return to her previous weight. She said she reduced her calorie intake and resumed intensive workouts.
The actress has previously spoken about dealing with criticism over her appearance. Sajayan said that although she has faced judgments based on her looks, such comments no longer affect her in the same way.
She also drew a connection between her own experiences and Babita’s character, noting that repeated disrespect can eventually push a person to respond rather than continue tolerating it.