Pratik Gandhi says physique for shirtless scene in Dhoom Dhaam was ‘achieved in very unhealthy ways’: ‘You get really bad cramps’

Co-star Yami Gautam hailed his efforts and said, "He looked very good, and obviously, the hard work is evident."

New Delhi | February 20, 2025 11:30 AM IST

3 min read

Pratik Gandhi shares what he did for his physique for Dhoom Dhaam (Photo: Pratik Gandhi/Instagram)

Pratik Gandhi had to challenge himself for his latest film, Dhoom Dhaam, which also stars Yami Gautam. The actor, who had to go shirtless for a scene in the movie, revealed that he had to restrict his water and salt intake to achieve a shredded physique. “This is the first time that I removed my shirt on screen. I had to eat a lot of carbs actually to gain more muscle. Then the shedding began,” Gandhi told Netflix.

The actor described how what is seen on screen is “achieved in very unhealthy ways. “You have to drink less water and not have any salt. The last three days were such that I could gobble up a person whole. On the less water diet, you get really bad cramps as you are water-deprived. You are not drinking water or salt, so there is no water retention in the body. So, the muscles start to cramp instantly,” said Gandhi.

Yami hailed his efforts and said, “He looked very good, and obviously, the hard work is evident.”

Also Read | Can you lose weight with only one type of diet?

Taking a cue, let’s understand more about this diet and how it affects the body.

From a clinical perspective, such rapid dehydration tactics can indeed reduce subcutaneous water, temporarily enhancing muscle definition, said Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietician and certified diabetes educator.

However, this approach carries “significant risks.” “Severely restricting water can lead to a drop in extracellular fluid, causing the skin to appear tighter, but prolonged dehydration can impair metabolic function and muscle performance.”

In simple words, cellular dehydration affects metabolic processes and can disrupt electrolyte balance, leading to muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, and potentially serious cardiac complications.

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“Reducing water intake might lead to temporary weight loss due to decreased water retention, but it does not promote fat loss. Dehydration can slow metabolism and impair fat oxidation, hindering long-term weight management,” said Malhotra.

A more sustainable and healthy approach involves maintaining proper hydration, a balanced diet, and consistent exercise.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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