‘I weighed 114 kgs’: Boney Kapoor on weight loss, hair transplant and quitting smoking for Sridevi; how emotional motivators shape lasting change

The filmmaker also shared that his decision to undergo a hair transplant years ago was prompted by Sridevi. “When Sri was there, she was after me and took me to the hospital once for donor hair. I used to think at that time, ‘When I have Sri with me, why do I need to put hair? I won’t get a more beautiful girl than her,’” he said.

In the same interview, Boney recalled how Sridevi’s presence in his life shaped his determination to give up smoking. “I used to smoke at one point of time in life. I have quit cigarettes twice in my life for her. Once when we weren’t married in 1995. We were in New York. I had a very fancy gold lighter with a watch inside. I was smoking at a restaurant, and she said, ‘You said you love me and you’ll do anything for me. Give up smoking.’ I threw the cigarette and lighter immediately. I had one and a half cartons of cigarettes in the room. I asked her to fill it with water. I didn’t smoke for 12 years after that.”

But how important is willpower compared to structured guidance, such as that from nutritionists or fitness trainers, when it comes to achieving sustainable weight loss?

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director, Cadabam’s Hospitals, tells indianexpress.com, “While willpower is an important starting point, research shows that sustainable weight loss rarely depends on willpower alone. A structured plan designed by nutritionists and fitness trainers provides a framework for balanced eating, realistic goals, and accountability. Willpower can spark change, but professional guidance helps prevent burnout, reduces the risk of unhealthy practices, and supports long-term maintenance by addressing habits, emotional triggers, and lifestyle patterns.”

How do emotional motivators play a role in breaking addictive habits, and is this method sustainable in the long term?

Emotional motivators, such as the request of a loved on,e can be powerful in breaking addictive habits because they tap into deep feelings of connection and responsibility. Cadabam notes that this kind of support can provide the initial push to quit smoking or other addictive behaviours. However, for lasting success, the individual eventually needs to internalise the motivation and develop coping mechanisms that are not dependent on external validation. 

Balancing between personal confidence and external validation

Cadabam acknowledges that it is quite common for partners to influence decisions related to appearance and health, whether involving fitness goals, skincare treatments, or procedures such as hair transplants. “The key is to maintain a balance where the individual makes the final decision based on their own comfort and confidence rather than feeling pressured to meet someone else’s expectations. Healthy influence empowers, while unhealthy influence creates dependence or dissatisfaction,” she concludes.