But not everyone knows how hard Jaccky Bhagnani, son of Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani, struggled to get where he is. Jaccky has dealt with weight issues from childhood all the way into his 20s and in an interview with rediff.com's Nithya Ramani, he discusses how he fought hard to lose 60 kilos and pursue a career in front of the cameras.

You've said that you were obese as a child and as a teenager. How difficult was it for you to lose all that extra weight and wait for your launch?

It was very difficult. I now hold a PhD in nutrition, though not literally (laughs). I have met so many nutritionists and gone to so many gyms that I can advice people on diets and work-outs. What people don't understand is that obesity is a disease and one can't help but eat.

When I was a child, I used to hide food in my room and eat at odd hours. My mother felt ashamed to take me out with her. I remember my friends would make fun of me. I never had real friends, they used me and would come to me only when they needed money or a car or something. Once, at a wedding, people mistook my parents to be my brother and sister-in-law -- I looked that old.

It got to me. I weighed 130 kilos; I was physically, mentally and emotionally ill. I used to tell people that I wanted to become a director because I was way too shy to tell them I wanted to be an actor. I remember someone -- I don't want to name him -- telling me that I had what it takes to be a director. I was happy and when I asked what it was, he spat out the answer, "You are fat." I was 19 when I put my foot down and decided I really have to do something or else I'm doomed.

How did you start off?

Nobody would give a guy who weighed 130 kg a lead role, just because he was Vashu Bhagnani's son. Dad wasn't convinced that I could act or was ready to become an actor. I had to look presentable, so I hit the gym and followed a diet schedule. Now I am 70 kgs and ready for an acting career. So though I had everything, I had nothing and I had to start from the scratch. It wasn't a cakewalk, nor did I get anything on a platter.

What kind of diet did you follow to begin losing weight?

Well, I'm still on a strict diet -- it's very essential for anyone to have food in the 3:2:1 ratio of carb:protein:fat composition. This is the routine I've been following so far:

My meals consist of:
Breakfast: Muesli and milk. Maybe sometimes with an apple or a plate of fruit.

Lunch: 2 chapattis (multigrain), 1 bowl of vegetable and 1 bowl of curd and any protein.

Evening snack: Any one of the four -- a tuna sandwich/ 4 dhoklas / 2 idlis / Sukha bhel.

Dinner: Anything that is completely devoid of carbs.

What kind of gymming routine did you follow?

I do not follow any particular regime in the gym. I opt for different workouts everyday, because it is important for the body to be shocked with different muscle exercises. I work out six days a week and Sunday is complete rest. I also do cardio routines thrice a week. I believe in working out for only one and a half hours everyday, because there's no point in working out for any longer than that.

Any advice for our readers who may be overweight and are looking to get fit like you did?

I would say the most important thing is to believe in yourself -- you can do it. And you have to give first priority to your diet. No matter how hard you work out, if your diet is not in place the results will be very slow or there may be no result at all. But if I can do it, so can you -- nothing is impossible.

Photograph: Still from Kal Kisne Dekha

Also see: Consuming beverages majorly affects weightloss: Study